Modulatrix orostruthus

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	AVES	PASSERIFORMES	MUSCICAPIDAE

Scientific Name:

Modulatrix orostruthus

Species Authority:

(Vincent, 1933)

Common Name/s:

English	–	Dappled Mountain-robin, Dappled Mountain Robin, Dapple-throat
French	–	Grive tachetée

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Vulnerable B1ab(i,ii,iii,v) ver 3.1

Year Published:

2012

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Butchart, S. & Taylor, J.

Contributor/s:

Dinesen, L., Moyer, D. & Parker, V.

Justification:
This species has a small, disjunct range, within much of which its habitat is either currently, or probably soon will be, declining in both extent and quality, leading to increasing fragmentation of its distribution (Collar and Stuart 1985). It is therefore considered Vulnerable.

History:

2008	–	Vulnerable
2004	–	Vulnerable
2000	–	Vulnerable
1996	–	Vulnerable
1994	–	Vulnerable

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Modulatrix orostruthus is found on Mt Namuli and Mt Mabu in Mozambique and in the East Usambara Mountains and Udzungwa Mountains in Tanzania. In Mozambique, the nominate subspecies is relatively common, with densities of up to 2-3 singing birds/ha reported in Ukalini Forest (c.80 ha) (Ryan et al. 1999), but rare on Mt Mabu (Dowsett-Lemaire 2010). It may also occur in the southern forests (c.1,220 ha) between Mt Namuli and Gurue (Ryan et al. 1999), but is not known from Mt Mulanje (Dowsett-Lemaire 2010). The population in Manho and Ukalini might be 300-500 pairs (assuming densities of 3-5 pairs /10 ha), and there may be a few dozen-100 pairs on Mt Mabu (Dowsett-Lemaire 2010). In the East Usambaras, subspecies amani had a population between several hundred and several thousand in 1990, possibly nearer the former (Newmark 1991), however surveys of the southern East Usambaras in 2006 recorded only one individual; although numbers may have been underestimated, the total population in the East Usambaras was considered to possibly only number a few pairs (Borghesio et al. 2008). Subspecies sanjei is uncommon to fairly common in seven forested areas on the Udzungwa escarpment (D. C. Moyer in litt. 1999, L. Dinesen in litt. 2007, Butynski in press), e.g. at Uhafiwa, where the density was up to 31 pairs/km² in 1990 (Dinesen et al. 1993). The population on the Udzungwa escarpment alone was estimated at probably over 10,000 individuals (L. Dinesen in litt. 2007), however this may be optimistic (L. A. Hansen per J. Fjeldså in litt. 2012). The overall population is thought to be declining.
Countries:	Native: Mozambique; Tanzania, United Republic of
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	The population size is preliminarily estimated to fall into the band 10,000-19,999 individuals. This equates to 6,667-13,333 mature individuals, rounded here to 6,000-15,000 mature individuals. However, the total population may be smaller, as it is apparently common in only a few locations in the Udzungwas (L. A. Hansen per J. Fjeldså in litt. 2012).
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It inhabits wet montane forest at mid-elevations (mostly 1,300-1,700 m (Butynski in press)), preferring closed-canopy areas with a dense growth of wild ginger (Zingiberaceae) and saplings on the ground. Here it moves through corridors of thick growth around light gaps and along streams, foraging for insects in the leaf-litter. At Namuli it is confined to forest above 1,500 m, and occurs up to 1,870 m in Ukalini and Manho, while on Mabu it is rare and local above 1,380 m (Dowsett-Lemaire 2010).
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

It inhabits wet montane forest at mid-elevations (mostly 1,300-1,700 m (Butynski in press)), preferring closed-canopy areas with a dense growth of wild ginger (Zingiberaceae) and saplings on the ground. Here it moves through corridors of thick growth around light gaps and along streams, foraging for insects in the leaf-litter. At Namuli it is confined to forest above 1,500 m, and occurs up to 1,870 m in Ukalini and Manho, while on Mabu it is rare and local above 1,380 m (Dowsett-Lemaire 2010).

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Forest on Mt Namuli is, at present, largely intact, but selective logging has commenced and the lower slopes are densely settled. Encroachment is now taking place above 1,500 m, with two small areas of Manho Forest cleared for potato crops in 2007 and many more cleared for gardens over the following year (Dowsett-Lemaire 2010). Timber extraction of Faurea wentzeliana takes place in both Ukalini and Manho forests, creating gaps in the canopy (Dowsett-Lemaire 2010). The forest at Mt Mabu (where the species is rarer) is under less pressure as the human population in the foothills is smaller and more scattered: dry season bush fires are the main current threat to the forest here (Dowsett-Lemaire 2010). In the Usambaras, the large human population is putting increasing pressure on forests both outside and within forest reserves, and forest is now highly fragmented (Newmark 1991); the species may be close to extinction here ( (J. Fjeldså in litt. 2012). Forest in several areas of the Udzungwa Mountains is still being cleared for timber and agriculture, however the rate of loss has slowed thanks to improved management, and there is some regeneration in places. Nevertheless, core (mature forest) habitat continues to decrease (J. Fjeldså in litt. 2012).

Major Threat(s):

Forest on Mt Namuli is, at present, largely intact, but selective logging has commenced and the lower slopes are densely settled. Encroachment is now taking place above 1,500 m, with two small areas of Manho Forest cleared for potato crops in 2007 and many more cleared for gardens over the following year (Dowsett-Lemaire 2010). Timber extraction of Faurea wentzeliana takes place in both Ukalini and Manho forests, creating gaps in the canopy (Dowsett-Lemaire 2010). The forest at Mt Mabu (where the species is rarer) is under less pressure as the human population in the foothills is smaller and more scattered: dry season bush fires are the main current threat to the forest here (Dowsett-Lemaire 2010). In the Usambaras, the large human population is putting increasing pressure on forests both outside and within forest reserves, and forest is now highly fragmented (Newmark 1991); the species may be close to extinction here ( (J. Fjeldså in litt. 2012). Forest in several areas of the Udzungwa Mountains is still being cleared for timber and agriculture, however the rate of loss has slowed thanks to improved management, and there is some regeneration in places. Nevertheless, core (mature forest) habitat continues to decrease (J. Fjeldså in litt. 2012).

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway Amani Nature Reserve in the East Usambaras has been gazetted and covers 84 km², including forest owned by private tea companies. Two conservation and development projects in the East Usambaras are working to increase the amount of forest in protected areas, including all lowland remnants (Tye 1993). The subspecies sanjei occurs within several protected areas, although these are under pressure from logging and burning (L. Dinesen in litt. 2007). In the Udzungwa Mountains community-based forest management has resulted in the exclusion of commercial logging, although some cutting and clearing for bean-fields and marijuana continues (J. Fjeldså in litt. 2012). Conservation Actions Proposed Conduct surveys to obtain an up-to-date population estimate. Once a baseline population estimate has been obtained, conduct regular surveys to monitor population trends. Monitor rates of forest clearance and degradation at known sites. Protect forest on Mt Namuli from commercial logging. Establish whether it occurs in the remote southern forests of Mt Namuli and, if so, designate as a core wilderness area (Ryan et al. 1999). Survey other sections of forest at Mabu, and other peaks near Namuli with forest patches, and Mt Chiperone (Dowsett-Lemaire 2010). Assess possibility of ecotourism-based conservation programme involving local people at Ukalini Forest on Mt Namuli (Ryan et al. 1999).

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
Amani Nature Reserve in the East Usambaras has been gazetted and covers 84 km², including forest owned by private tea companies. Two conservation and development projects in the East Usambaras are working to increase the amount of forest in protected areas, including all lowland remnants (Tye 1993). The subspecies sanjei occurs within several protected areas, although these are under pressure from logging and burning (L. Dinesen in litt. 2007). In the Udzungwa Mountains community-based forest management has resulted in the exclusion of commercial logging, although some cutting and clearing for bean-fields and marijuana continues (J. Fjeldså in litt. 2012).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct surveys to obtain an up-to-date population estimate. Once a baseline population estimate has been obtained, conduct regular surveys to monitor population trends. Monitor rates of forest clearance and degradation at known sites. Protect forest on Mt Namuli from commercial logging. Establish whether it occurs in the remote southern forests of Mt Namuli and, if so, designate as a core wilderness area (Ryan et al. 1999). Survey other sections of forest at Mabu, and other peaks near Namuli with forest patches, and Mt Chiperone (Dowsett-Lemaire 2010). Assess possibility of ecotourism-based conservation programme involving local people at Ukalini Forest on Mt Namuli (Ryan et al. 1999).

Citation:	BirdLife International 2012. Modulatrix orostruthus. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 25 May 2013.
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