Red List of South African Species

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Near Threatened (NT)
Assessors: Vanessa Couldridge Corinna Bazelet
Contributors: Anja Danielczak
Reviewers: Axel Hochkirch

Rationale

Pneumora inanis has a patchy distribution along the east coast of South Africa, where it has been observed between Port Elizabeth and Mtunzini. However, an isolated record from Tanzania suggests that the species may extend much further north. The population is considered to be severely fragmented as the subpopulations are very small and probably not viable and there is little exchange between them. A continuing decline in the number of mature individuals and number of subpopulations is inferred from an observed continuing decline of its habitat, which is threatened by deforestation. The area of occupancy (AOO) is between 2,000 and 10,000 km². As the species might be close to the thresholds of criterion B2, it is assessed as Near Threatened (NT).

Distribution

Pneumora inanis is found in forest patches in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces of South Africa, with its distribution possibly extending into Lesotho. There is also a single record from Tanzania. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) is ca 670,000 km². However, the population is severely fragmented and the AOO is estimated to be no more than 10,000 km².

Population trend

Trend

Pneumora inanis emerges seasonally, and has been observed from October to March. The population size and trend is unknown for the species. However, population fragmentation is severe due to the low dispersal ability and low viability of subpopulations. A continuing decline in the number of mature individuals and number of subpopulations is inferred from the ongoing habitat decline.

Threats

Potential threats to this species include habitat destruction through deforestation.

Uses and trade

This species is not utilised.

Conservation

There are no conservation actions for the species, but is is known to occur in some protected areas. Subpopulations may vary in body size and colour pattern (Dirsh 1965). Research into its ecology, threats and population trends 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}
}
,@article{100946642,
 author = {Alexander, A},
 journal = {African Wildlife},
 number = {6},
 pages = {261--262},
 title = {The bladder grasshopper: a "nu-nu" of mystery and intrigue},
 volume = {46.0},
 year = {1992}
}
,]
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