Chlorolestes apricans

– Endangered

Taxonomy

Kingdom:

ANIMALIA

Phylum:

ARTHROPODA

Class:

INSECTA

Order:

ODONATA

Family:

SYNLESTIDAE

Scientific Name:

Chlorolestes apricans

Species Authority:

Wilmot, 1975

Common Name/s:

English

—

AMATOLA MALACHITE, BASKING MALACHITE

Assessment Information

Red List Category & Criteria:

EN B2ab(i,ii,iii,iv) ver 3.1 (2001)

Year Assessed:

2007

Assessor/s:

Samways, M.J.

Evaluator/s:

Simaika, J.P., Kipping, J., Suhling, F. (Odonata Red List Authority) & Pollock, C.M. (IUCN Red List Unit)

Justification:

Chlorolestes apricans qualifies for an Endangered assessment due to the small number and small size of subpopulations, several of which have been lost between 1975 (when the species was known from ten sites) and 2000 (when it was known only from two sites) through habitat loss and modification. The population is expected to decline over the next ten years if habitat loss and degradation continues. Current area of occupancy is less than 500 km² and there is continuing decline in range, habitat and population size.

History:

1994	-	Rare (Groombridge 1994)
1996	-	Endangered (Baillie and Groombridge 1996)
2004	-	Endangered (IUCN 2004)

Geographic Range

Range Description:	In 1975, this species was known from ten sites (Wilmot 1975), whereas in 2000 it was known from only two, showing a decline in extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, as well as decline in extent and quality of suitable habitat. Currently it is known only from the Kubusi (near Stutterheim) and the Thorn River, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
Range Map:	(click for detailed map)
Countries:	Native: South Africa (Eastern Cape Province)

Population

Population:	It is estimated that no more than 1,000 adults (per generation) exist, and even this may be a generous estimate. Population trends are unknown.
Population Trend:

Habitat and Ecology

Habitat and Ecology:

The species inhabits clear, shallow, rocky streams with riffles and glides and with an abundance of long grass, herbs and indigenous overhanging bushes (for oviposition sites).

System:

Terrestrial; Freshwater

List of Habitats:

5.1	Wetlands (inland) - Permanent Rivers/Streams/Creeks (includes waterfalls)

Threats

Threats:

Severely threatened by cattle trampling of stream banks and the synergistic effects of shading of the habitat by the alien invasive tree Acacia mearnsii. Further adverse synergistic effects include detergent entering the streams at Stutterheim, and possibly also the effects of direct predation from rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss.

List of Threats:

1.1.4	Habitat Loss/Degradation - Agriculture - Livestock (ongoing)
1.5	Habitat Loss/Degradation - Invasive alien species (ongoing)
6.3.2	Pollution (affecting habitat and/or species) - Water pollution - Domestic (ongoing)

Conservation Actions

Conservation Actions:

This species is not known from any protected areas.

Searches for further localities are urgently required. Removal of Acacia mearnsii should continue. Liaison with local farmers is essential so that cattle may enter streams at certain points only, fencing off other areas of the stream.

List of Conservation Actions:

3.2	Research actions - Population numbers and range (needed)
3.9	Research actions - Trends/Monitoring (needed)
4.1	Habitat and site-based actions - Maintenance/Conservation (in place, needed)
4.2	Habitat and site-based actions - Restoration (needed)
4.5	Habitat and site-based actions - Community-based initiatives (needed)

Bibliography

Bibliography:

Baillie, J. and Groombridge, B. (compilers and editors) 1996. 1996 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.

Groombridge, B. (ed.) 1994. 1994 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.

IUCN. 2004. 2004 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. www.iucnredlist.org. Downloaded on 23 November 2004.

Samways, M.J. 1999. Diversity and conservation status of South African dragonflies (Odonata). Odonatologica 28: 13-62.

Samways, M.J. 2002. A strategy for national red listing invertebrates based on experiences with Odonata in South Africa. African Entomology 10: 43-52.

Samways, M.J. 2004. Critical species of Odonata in southern Africa. International Journal of Odonatology 7: 255-262.

Samways, M.J. 2006. Honing Red List assessments of lesser known taxa in biodiversity hotspots. Biodiversity and Conservation In press.

Samways, M.J. 2006. National Red List of South African Odonata. Odonatologica 35(4): 341-368.

Samways, M.J. and Taylor, S. 2004. Impacts of invasive alien plants on red-listed South African dragonflies (Odonata). South African Journal of Science 100: 78-80.

Tarboton, W. and Tarboton, M. 2005. A fieldguide to the damselflies of South Africa. Privately published by the authors, Nylstroom.

Wilmot, B.C. 1975. A new species of Chlorestes from the Eastern Cape Province. Journal of Entomological Society of Southern Africa. 38: 13-17

Citation:	Samways, M.J. 2007. Chlorolestes apricans. In: IUCN 2007. 2007 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 19 August 2008.
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