Cryptomys mechowi

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	RODENTIA	BATHYERGIDAE

Scientific Name:

Cryptomys mechowi

Species Authority:

(Peters, 1881)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Mechow's Mole Rat

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Least Concern ver 3.1

Year Published:

2008

Assessor/s:

Maree, S. & Faulkes, C.

Reviewer/s:

Amori, G. (Small Nonvolant Mammal Red List Authority) & Cox, N. (Global Mammal Assessment Team)

Justification:
Listed as Least Concern because this species has a relatively wide distribution range, and is common where it occurs. It is highly adaptable, and is often found in agricultural lands and plantations. Although the species is exploited for food, there is currently no reason to expect any significant decline.

History:

2004	–	Least Concern
1996	–	Lower Risk/least concern

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This is a central African species that has been recorded from central Angola, northern Zambia, southern and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (Faulkes et al. 2004, mention a record from Kinshasa at 4°22' S, 15°27' E), and southwestern Tanzania (Ufipa Plateau [not mapped here]). There is a record from northern Malawi (apparently from Rumphi), but this record probably represents another species (and the same may hold true for the specimen from Ufipa).
Countries:	Native: Angola; Congo, The Democratic Republic of the; Zambia Presence uncertain: Malawi; Tanzania, United Republic of
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Although there is no information on recorded densities, the species is very abundant in the Copperbelt Province of Zambia.
Population Trend:	Stable

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	This is a subterranean species that inhabits a variety of soil types (including stony soil, pure sand and clay) in savanna bushland and dense Acacia woodland with an annual rainfal of over 1,100 mm. It is an adaptable species and has been recorded from agricultural land and abandoned fields, gardens, and pine plantations. This is a social species, with colonies generally consisting of between two and 20 individuals (although there may be as many as 40 animals).
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

This is a subterranean species that inhabits a variety of soil types (including stony soil, pure sand and clay) in savanna bushland and dense Acacia woodland with an annual rainfal of over 1,100 mm. It is an adaptable species and has been recorded from agricultural land and abandoned fields, gardens, and pine plantations. This is a social species, with colonies generally consisting of between two and 20 individuals (although there may be as many as 40 animals).

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	This species is a major agricultural pest (especially for kasava), for which there have been long-running control projects. The species is also heavily exploited for food, particularly in Zambia, but this is not believed to currently represent a major threat.

Major Threat(s):

This species is a major agricultural pest (especially for kasava), for which there have been long-running control projects. The species is also heavily exploited for food, particularly in Zambia, but this is not believed to currently represent a major threat.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	This species is lkely to occur in a number of protected areas in Zambia. Further studies of animals from Malawi are needed to clarify their systematic status. There is a need to monitor populations of this species.

Conservation Actions:

This species is lkely to occur in a number of protected areas in Zambia. Further studies of animals from Malawi are needed to clarify their systematic status. There is a need to monitor populations of this species.

Citation:	Maree, S. & Faulkes, C. 2008. Cryptomys mechowi. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 25 May 2012.
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