Red List of South African Species

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Vulnerable (VU)
Assessors: Axel Hochkirch Corinna Bazelet Anja Danielczak
Reviewers: Mark Bushell

Rationale

The Durban Agile Grasshopper (Phymeurus illepidus) is only known from the area close to Durban (KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa). Its estimated extent of occurrence is between 1,000 km² and 10,000 km² and it occurs at five to ten locations (based upon the threats of habitat conversion into farmland and urbanisation). A continuing decline in the number of mature individuals is inferred from an observed continuing decline in the extent and quality of habitat. The species is assessed as Vulnerable, assuming that the number of locations is more likely to be higher than five. Research into its distribution, habitat preferences, threats and population trend is urgently required as well as a protection of remaining habitats.

Distribution

The Durban Agile Grasshopper (Phymeurus illepidus) is so far only known from the Durban area. Its estimated extent of occurrence is between 1,000 km² and 10,000 km².

Population trend

Trend

The species has not been documented since 1945 despite some recent research on Orthoptera in KwaZulu-Natal (Bazelet and Samways 2011). Therefore, the species is probably very rare. Based upon its morphology, the females have probably no strong flight capabilities and therefore it is probably sensitive to population fragmentation. A continuing decline in the number of mature individuals is inferred from habitat loss in the Durban area caused by urbanisation.

Threats

The major threats to this species are cultivation of its natural habitat into agricultural land, particularly sugarcane and exotic tree (mostly Eucalyptus) plantations, and urbanisation. Based upon these threats the number of locations is between five and ten.

Uses and trade

The species is not utilised.

Conservation

No specific conservation action is in place for the species and it is not known to occur in protected areas. Remaining habitats urgently need to be protected to avoid any future declines of the species. The distribution, ecology, threats and population trend of this species need to be studied.

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{116115026,
 author = {Bazelet, C.S., and Samways, M.J.},
 journal = {Ecological Indicators},
 pages = {1259--1269},
 title = {Identifying grasshopper bioindicators for habitat quality assessment of ecological networks},
 volume = {11.0},
 year = {2011}
}
,]
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