Chlorotalpa duthieae

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	MAMMALIA	AFROSORICIDA	CHRYSOCHLORIDAE

Scientific Name:

Chlorotalpa duthieae

Species Authority:

(Broom, 1907)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Duthie's Golden Mole

Taxonomic Notes:

Included in Amblysomus by Ellerman et al. (1953) and by Petter (1981). Meester (1974) and Meester et al. (1986) included leucorhina (here referred to Calcochloris) and arendsi (here treated as Carpitalpa) in this genus. Revised by Bronner (1995).

Some authors (Ellerman et al. 1953, Simonetta 1968) treated this taxon as only a subspecies of C. sclateri, but consistent differences in fur colour and chromosomal properties, and their preference for quite dissimilar ecotypes, indicate that they are distinct species (Bronner 1995).

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Vulnerable B1ab(iii) ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2008

Assessor/s:

Bronner, G.

Reviewer/s:

Rathbun, G. (Afrotheria Red List Authority) & Hoffmann, M. (Global Mammal Assessment Team)

Justification:
The species is known from only six localities, and the maximum range area is less than 5,000 km² - likely much less given specialized habitat requirements. Although it occurs in several protected areas, populations outside these areas may be impacted by coastal housing and tourism developments.

History:

2006	–	Vulnerable (IUCN 2006)
1996	–	Vulnerable
1994	–	Rare (Groombridge 1994)
1990	–	Rare (IUCN 1990)
1988	–	Rare (IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre 1988)

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species is endemic to South Africa. It occurs in a narrow coastal band between Kynsna (Western Cape) northwards to Port Elizabeth (Eastern Cape) in South Africa.
Countries:	Native: South Africa
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Locally common in suitable habitats, but no quantitative data.
Population Trend:	Unknown

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	Alluvial sands and sandy loams in Afromontane and Coastal Forest of the Fynbos and Moist Savanna biomes. Coexists with Amblysomus corriae in parts of their range, but trapping data suggest that A. c. corriae prefers fynbos and forest fringes, and C. duthieae deeper forest. Thrives in cultivated areas and gardens.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Major threats include extensive (and intensive) development of coastal tourism resorts that could degrade habitats and lead to population fragmentation. Localized threats include predation by domestic pets in vicinity of human habitations, and persecution by gardeners.

Major Threat(s):

Major threats include extensive (and intensive) development of coastal tourism resorts that could degrade habitats and lead to population fragmentation. Localized threats include predation by domestic pets in vicinity of human habitations, and persecution by gardeners.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Protected in the Tsitsikamma National Park, Wilderness National Park, Keurboomsriver Nature Reserve, as well as numerous forest reserves managed by either the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, or local authorities. It also thrives in cultivated areas and gardens (particularly in the Walmer district of Port Elizabeth), suggesting that it is not at risk from human activities. Research needed to accurately determine distribution limits, and to quantify possible major threats.

Conservation Actions:

Protected in the Tsitsikamma National Park, Wilderness National Park, Keurboomsriver Nature Reserve, as well as numerous forest reserves managed by either the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, or local authorities. It also thrives in cultivated areas and gardens (particularly in the Walmer district of Port Elizabeth), suggesting that it is not at risk from human activities. Research needed to accurately determine distribution limits, and to quantify possible major threats.

Citation:	Bronner, G. 2008. Chlorotalpa duthieae. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 09 February 2012.
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