Red List of South African Species

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Endangered (EN)
B1ab(iii,v)
Assessors: Vanessa Couldridge Corinna Bazelet
Contributors: Anja Danielczak
Reviewers: Axel Hochkirch

Rationale

Physemacris papillosa is found within the Little Karoo region of the Western Cape Province of South Africa. It is assessed as Endangered (EN) because of the small geographic distribution of the species with an extent of occurrence (EOO) below 2,000 km², a limited number of locations (3-5) and a severely fragmented population. Furthermore, a continuing decline in the population is inferred based upon the few encounters of this species in the field. Only a handful of specimens have ever been collected, and none in recent years. Very little is known about the species and further research is needed on its population trends, ecology and threats.

Distribution

Physemacris papillosa is endemic to South Africa. It has a small geographic distribution along the southern cape coastline. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) is ca 2,000 km².

Population trend

Trend

The species is extremely rare and likely to be declining. It has been documented only three times in over 118 years in an areas which have been extensively surveyed. Therefore, it seems likely that the number of mature individuals is low. As the subpopulations appear to be very small and isolated, exchange between them is very unlikely. The population is, therefore, considered extremely fragmented. 

Threats

Potential threats to Physemacris papillosa include habitat destruction due to agriculture (livestock farming) and urban development, as well as climate change leading to droughts. A drier climate will negatively impact the species as the distribution of pneumorids is believed to be restricted by moisture availability. Furthermore, it will result in loss or change of vegetation type and thus reduced availability of host plants on which the species depends. The number of locations based upon the threat of livestock farming is between three and five.

Uses and trade

This species is not utilised.

Conservation

There are no conservation actions for the species, and it has not been recorded from a protected area. The species is described from only male specimens, and a female thus needs to be identified, as there is extreme sexual dimorphism with the Pneumoridae. Research into its ecology, population trends and threats is needed.

References 

[@electronic{2573,
 address = {www.iucnredlist.org},
 author = {IUCN},
 title = {The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2018-1},
 year = {2018}
}
,@electronic{15431178,
 address = { http://Orthoptera.SpeciesFile.org},
 author = {Eades, D.C., Otte, D., Cigliano, M.M. and Braun, H.},
 title = {Orthoptera Species File. Version 5.0/5.0},
 year = {2014}
}
,@article{100946558,
 author = {Dirsh, V.M.},
 journal = {Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History) Entomology },
 pages = {325--396},
 title = {Revision of the family Pneumoridae (Orthoptera: Acridoidea)},
 volume = {15.0},
 year = {1965}
}
,]
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