Chlorolestes apricans

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	ARTHROPODA	INSECTA	ODONATA	SYNLESTIDAE

Scientific Name:

Chlorolestes apricans

Species Authority

Wilmot, 1975

Common Name/s:

English

–

Amatola Malachite, Basking Malachite

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Endangered B2ab(i,ii,iii,iv) ver 3.1

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:

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

Geographic Range [top]

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.
Countries:	Native: South Africa (Eastern Cape Province)

Population [top]

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:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

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).
Systems:	Terrestrial; Freshwater

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	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.

Major Threat(s):

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.

Conservation Actions [top]

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.

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.

Citation:	Samways, M.J. 2007. Chlorolestes apricans. In: IUCN 2008. 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 20 November 2008.
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