PLANTAE / PHANEROGAMAE / ANTHOPHYTA / CARYOPHYLLALES / AIZOACEAE / RUSCHIOIDEAE / RUSCHIEAE / TRICHODIADEMA / INTONSUM

Trichodiadema intonsum (Haw.) Schwantes
LC Indigenous Endemic
Morphological description

Perennial, dwarf shrublet, up to 0.35 m high, stems erect to spreading. Leaves semicylindrical, slightly recurved, glaucous, bladder cells elongate terminating in a sharp point at upper end, lower end obtuse, dark brown radiating bristles arising from black cup-cells. Flowers solitary, pink to white. Capsules 5-locular. From: Burgoyne, PM; Bredenkamp, CL. 2019. Aizoaceae: Trichodiadema Schwantes. In: CL Bredenkamp (ed.), A Flora of the Eastern Cape Province. Strelitzia 41(1): 254-257. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]

Perennial, dwarf shrublet, up to 0.2 m high, roots fusiform, tuberous. Leaves glaucous, cylindrical, covered with domed, elongate bladder cells with apical and basal parts ending in points, diadem radiating, cup-cells orange-brown, bristles pale. Flowers solitary, dark pink. Flowering time Nov.-Feb. Capsules 5-locular. From: Burgoyne, PM; Bredenkamp, CL. 2019. Aizoaceae: Trichodiadema Schwantes. In: CL Bredenkamp (ed.), A Flora of the Eastern Cape Province. Strelitzia 41(1): 254-257. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY] As: Trichodiadema bulbosum (Haw.) Schwantes

Perennial, dwarf shrublet, up to 0.15 m high, single to few tuberous taproots. Leaves glaucous, cylindrical, covered with domed, elongate bladder cells, apex obtuse, diadem radiating, cup-cells brown-black. Flowers solitary, purplish pink with white centre. Flowering time Sept.-Jan. Capsules 5-locular. From: Burgoyne, PM; Bredenkamp, CL. 2019. Aizoaceae: Trichodiadema Schwantes. In: CL Bredenkamp (ed.), A Flora of the Eastern Cape Province. Strelitzia 41(1): 254-257. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY] As: Trichodiadema concinnum L.Bolus

Leaves with an apical diadem of coloured, sclerotinized bristles. Erect shrublet to 20 cm, with tuberous roots. Leaves grey-green from papillae, subcylindrical, with a diadem, 5-8 x ±3 mm. Flowers solitary, terminal, subsessile, magenta. Fruits 5-locular. From: Klak, C. 2012. Aizoaceae: Trichodiadema Schwantes. In: J Manning & P Goldblatt (eds), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape flora. Strelitzia 29: 307-309. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY] As: Trichodiadema bulbosum (Haw.) Schwantes

Leaves with an apical diadem of coloured, sclerotinized bristles. Erect to spreading perennial. Leaves distant, inclined, slightly recurved, with a diadem, ±13 x 4 mm. Flowers solitary on short pedicels, white or pink, to 20 mm diam. Fruits 5-locular. From: Klak, C. 2012. Aizoaceae: Trichodiadema Schwantes. In: J Manning & P Goldblatt (eds), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape flora. Strelitzia 29: 307-309. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]

Habitat

River flats. From: Burgoyne, PM; Bredenkamp, CL. 2019. Aizoaceae: Trichodiadema Schwantes. In: CL Bredenkamp (ed.), A Flora of the Eastern Cape Province. Strelitzia 41(1): 254-257. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]

Flats and hills of karoo shales or siltstones. From: Burgoyne, PM; Bredenkamp, CL. 2019. Aizoaceae: Trichodiadema Schwantes. In: CL Bredenkamp (ed.), A Flora of the Eastern Cape Province. Strelitzia 41(1): 254-257. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY] As: Trichodiadema bulbosum (Haw.) Schwantes

Uncertain. From: Klak, C. 2012. Aizoaceae: Trichodiadema Schwantes. In: J Manning & P Goldblatt (eds), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape flora. Strelitzia 29: 307-309. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]

Uncertain. From: Klak, C. 2012. Aizoaceae: Trichodiadema Schwantes. In: J Manning & P Goldblatt (eds), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape flora. Strelitzia 29: 307-309. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY] As: Trichodiadema bulbosum (Haw.) Schwantes

Distribution

Uitenhage, E to Swartkops and Sundays rivers. From: Burgoyne, PM; Bredenkamp, CL. 2019. Aizoaceae: Trichodiadema Schwantes. In: CL Bredenkamp (ed.), A Flora of the Eastern Cape Province. Strelitzia 41(1): 254-257. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]

Port Elizabeth. From: Burgoyne, PM; Bredenkamp, CL. 2019. Aizoaceae: Trichodiadema Schwantes. In: CL Bredenkamp (ed.), A Flora of the Eastern Cape Province. Strelitzia 41(1): 254-257. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY] As: Trichodiadema bulbosum (Haw.) Schwantes

Port Elizabeth to Bushman’s River. From: Burgoyne, PM; Bredenkamp, CL. 2019. Aizoaceae: Trichodiadema Schwantes. In: CL Bredenkamp (ed.), A Flora of the Eastern Cape Province. Strelitzia 41(1): 254-257. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY] As: Trichodiadema concinnum L.Bolus

Port Elizabeth. From: Klak, C. 2012. Aizoaceae: Trichodiadema Schwantes. In: J Manning & P Goldblatt (eds), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape flora. Strelitzia 29: 307-309. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY] As: Trichodiadema bulbosum (Haw.) Schwantes

Uitenhage. From: Klak, C. 2012. Aizoaceae: Trichodiadema Schwantes. In: J Manning & P Goldblatt (eds), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape flora. Strelitzia 29: 307-309. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]

Flowering time

October

Altitude

20 to 150 m

Occurrence records map

This map contains point-based occurrences at different locations

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Residence status

Occurrence in the Flora of Southern Africa (FSA) countries and South African provinces. Residence status indicates if a taxon is indigenous, endemic, naturalised or invasive in a specific region. This data is based on specimen records and literature

FSA

SA

BOT

NAM

ESW

LES

WC

EC

NC

FS

GA

KZN

LP

MP

NW

Absent

Indigenous

Endemic

Naturalised

Invasive

Names and Sources

Accepted name
Trichodiadema intonsum (Haw.) Schwantes

Published in: Z. Sukkulentenk. 2: 188 (1926)

Synonym(s)

Mesembryanthemum intonsum Haw. var. rubicundum Haw.


Mesembryanthemum bulbosum Haw.

Published in: Till. Phil. Mag. 64: 428 (1824)


Mesembryanthemum intonsum Haw.

Published in: Till. Phil. Mag. 64: 62 (1824)


Trichodiadema bulbosum (Haw.) Schwantes

Published in: Z. Sukkulentenk. 2: 188 (1926)


Trichodiadema concinnum L.Bolus

Published in: J. S. African Bot. 30: 79 (1964)


Classification

KINGDOM Plantae

SUBKINGDOM Phanerogamae

PHYLUM Anthophyta

ORDER Caryophyllales

FAMILY Aizoaceae

SUBFAMILY Ruschioideae

TRIBE Ruschieae

GENUS Trichodiadema

SPECIES intonsum

36 results for Trichodiadema intonsum (Haw.) Schwantes

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Specimen records

Barcode: PRE0397528-0 Collector(s) & number: Roberts, BR, 5481 | 1970-11-14

South Africa, Free State, BETHULIE; TUSSEN-DIE-RIVIERE N

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0896432-0 Collector(s) & number: Niemand, L, EC28 | 2008-10-27

South Africa, Eastern Cape, Barkley Bridge.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0764242-0 Collector(s) & number: Burgoyne, PM, 10032 | 2004-11-28

South Africa, Eastern Cape, Graaff-Reinet District. Hills just N of Graaff-Reinet.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0594339-0 Collector(s) & number: Burgoyne, PM, 8662 | 2001-11-11

South Africa, Eastern Cape, Willowmore District, ±24 km west of Willowmore on road to Aberdeen.

General notes: No slope. Upright stems.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE1002347-0 Collector(s) & number: Morgenthal, TL, TLM1393 | 2012-5-15

South Africa, Eastern Cape, Kleinpoort; Kleinpoort.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NH0024518-0 Collector(s) & number: Thode, HJ, 1083 | 1926-11-

South Africa, Eastern Cape, Uitenhage.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0578931-0 Collector(s) & number: Meyer, JJ, 1617 | 1998-11-2

South Africa, Eastern Cape, Grahamstown: Ecca Pass Nature Reserve.

General notes: Succulent Karoo. Plateau. Soil. Well drained. Sand. Full sun. No slope. Succulent, 10 cm tall. Flowers pink.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0802246-0 Collector(s) & number: Van der Merwe, C, 1969 | 1971--

South Africa, Western Cape, Cape, De Hoop.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0764241-0 Collector(s) & number: Burgoyne, PM, 10681 | 2006-9-29

South Africa, Western Cape, Calitzdorp District. Farm NE of town (Besemkop).

General notes: Gravelly loam. Slope: gentle. Rounded shrublets. Flowers deep pink.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0729546-0 Collector(s) & number: Gibbs Russell, GE, 331 | 1978-4-13

South Africa, Western Cape, BLEAK HOUSE FARM; ON COMPACTED SOIL BETWEEN DOLERITE BOULDERS/STONES ON E-FACING SLOPE

General notes: Karoo vegetation, rainfall 8,25 in. Mesem, growing on compacted soil between dolerite boulders/stones. Flowering 3 weeks after rains.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0623666-0 Collector(s) & number: Bredenkamp, CL, 3173 | 2004-11-8

South Africa, Eastern Cape, Steytlerville District. Noorspoort Farm of George Craven, ± 2 km W from homestead.

General notes: Plain below hill in Karoo. Gravelly sand. No slope.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0802245-0 Collector(s) & number: Van der Merwe, C, 1969 | 1971--

South Africa, Western Cape, Cape, De Hoop.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0763794-0 Collector(s) & number: Vlok, JHJ, 951 | 1985-3-9

South Africa, Eastern Cape, Koega Mountains near Engelandkop.

General notes: On plateaux on northern slope. Flower colour very attractive. magenta-purple.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0764243-0 Collector(s) & number: Burgoyne, PM, 10835 | 2006-10-4

South Africa, Northern Cape, Victoria West District; ± 21 km S of Victoria West.

General notes: Rocky ridge. Flat rock plates. Gravelly sand. Grazed by sheep. Slope: gentle. Height: ± 3-5 cm. Low dense clumps with glaucous leaves. Flowers deep pink.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0821289-0 Collector(s) & number: Victor, JE, 1080 | 1995-4-15

South Africa, Eastern Cape, Eastern Cape: Somerset East Region; About 40 km S-SE of Somerset East, near Farm Garsfontein. Flat landscape.

General notes: False central lower karroo. Dry. Solitary plants, not much-branched. Erect. Flowers yellow.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0277618-0 Collector(s) & number: Ebrahim, I, CR2291 | 2007-5-13

South Africa, Eastern Cape, Kabeljou Nature Reserve, on path 50 m from entrance gate. 33°59'29.1" S; 24°56'17.2" E.

General notes: Mixed Renosterveld vegetation. Gentle, hill slope. Well-drained, loam soil. Sandstone.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0594341-0 Collector(s) & number: Burgoyne, PM, 8860 | 2001-11-22

South Africa, Northern Cape, Victoria West District, ±35 km south on Victoria West road to N1.

General notes: Baked shale. Partial shade of other plants. No slope. Upright scrambling in other bushes.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0594343-0 Collector(s) & number: Burgoyne, PM, 8854 | 2001-11-22

South Africa, Northern Cape, Victoria West District, ±36 km from Victoria West (110 km from Beaufort West).

General notes: Gravel on baserock. Gentle slope. Flowers bright mauve. Clumped with side branches creeping.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0577057-0 Collector(s) & number: Meyer, JJ, 2259 | 1999-10-20

South Africa, Western Cape, ±3km West of Beaufort West at a turn off to Oudtshoorn. 32°22'37.1"S, 22°31'37.7"E

General notes: Karroid broken veld. Plain. Well drained. Sand. Full sun. No slope. Biotic Effect: grazed. Succulent, 50cm in height. Fleshy leaves. Purple flowers. Slide no 28.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0561904-0 Collector(s) & number: Steel, BS, 549 | 1994-10-26

South Africa, Eastern Cape, ± 20 km N of Jansenville.

General notes: Karroid. Rocky substrate. Sandy loam soil. Dry. Full sun exposure. Biotic effect: undisturbed. Common.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0207378-0 Collector(s) & number: Prozesky, I, CR1233 | 2005-9-9

South Africa, Eastern Cape, Kouga Region. Papiesfontein Private Farm, E of Jeffreys Bay. 33°58.440' S; 24°58.709' E.

General notes: Transitional Renosterveld. Dry, seasonally moist, sandy on conglomorate soil. Full sun. Undisturbed. Small shrublet, appoximately 150 mm high. Tiny greyish-green leaves, approximately 4 mm, are tightly clustered on woody stems. Leaves are covered with water cells that glisten in the sun, and are succulent, almost sausage-shaped, with a diadem of fine stiff hairs sprouting from a small dark tan structure at the apex. Flowers, approximately 20 mm, borne on a short stalk. C.R.E.W. Project.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0104803-0 Collector(s) & number: Glass, J, 825 | 1894--

South Africa, Eastern Cape, Cape, Grahamstown

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Observation records

Date: 6/4/2018 2:40:00 PM

Eastern Cape, South Africa

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 3/6/2019 11:23:00 AM

Eastern Cape

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 2/22/2021 11:00:00 AM

Eastern Cape, South Africa

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 5/2/2021 12:41:00 PM

Eastern Cape

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 6/11/2021 11:32:00 AM

Eastern Cape, South Africa

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 1/1/2000 2:00:00 AM

Eastern Cape, South Africa

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 10/25/2021 1:02:00 PM

Eastern Cape, South Africa

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 10/18/2021 3:37:00 PM

Eastern Cape

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 10/31/2021 11:45:00 PM

Eastern Cape, South Africa

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 12/10/2021 11:24:00 AM

Eastern Cape

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

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Plant occurence records per year

Occurrence records map

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2019

SERIES CHAPTER

Aizoaceae: Trichodiadema Schwantes Burgoyne, PM; Bredenkamp, CL

In: CL Bredenkamp (ed.), A Flora of the Eastern Cape Province. Strelitzia 41(1)254-257

South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria

2012

SERIES CHAPTER

Aizoaceae: Trichodiadema Schwantes Klak, C

In: J Manning & P Goldblatt (eds), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape flora. Strelitzia 29: 307-309

South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria

2003

PERIODICAL/JOURNAL

Notes on Trichodiadema Schwantes (Mesembryanthema, Aizoaceae): T. intonsum (Haw.) Schwantes Hartmann, HEKO; Niesler, IM

Bradleya 21: 93-106

2001

BOOK

Illustrated handbook of succulent plants: Aizoaceae F-Z Hartmann, HEKO

No results found for Trichodiadema intonsum (Haw.) Schwantes

Status

Global

Status and criteria

LC

Assessment date

2016-01-14

Assessor(s)

Plantae Coordinator

Distribution

Range

The species occurs across large parts of South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Angola and Zambia as well as in the southern parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique (Skinner &amp; Chimimba 2005). It is also predicted to occur marginally in the lowlands of Lesotho (Lynch 1994) and is listed in a recent compiled checklist of the mammals of Lesotho (Ambrose &amp; Talukdar 2000). However, Boshof and Kerley (2013) doubt the accuracy of these predictions and, until voucher specimens have been procured, their presence in Lesotho should be considered doubtful. Similarly, Butynski (2013b) report no records for either Lesotho or Swaziland.<br/><br/>Within South Africa, the species occurs across large parts of the Northern Cape, North West, Free State, Gauteng, Limpopo and Eastern Cape provinces (Figure 1), where there are sufficient sandy areas for burrowing, and open short grassland for foraging (Skinner &amp; Chimimba 2005; Power 2014). In addition, it occurs in the western parts of Mpumalanga, the eastern areas of the Western Cape and marginally in the extreme northern and western parts of KwaZulu-Natal (Figure 1). It is absent from the eastern half of the Eastern Cape Province.<br/><br/>It is, however, important to note that within these areas their distribution is patchy and discontinuous. There is no clear evidence in the literature to indicate that the current distribution range has changed substantially from the historical distribution range. In Coetzee’s (1979) assessment of the distribution and status of some of the mammals of the Albany district (Eastern Cape Province). he does indicate that the species is absent from some areas where one might otherwise expect it to occur, and that this could be due to sport hunting. Although this seems to be localised and relatively insignificant, this trend throughout its range bears monitoring, as localised extinctions of subpopulations may be on the increase.

Habitat and ecology

Major system

Terrestrial

Major habitats

Springhares are the largest, hopping rodent species in southern Africa. With long back legs and short forelegs, they are kangaroo-like in appearance. With their long hind legs, they can reach speeds of 8.5 km / hour and jump distances of 0.8 m which is essential to avoid predators, a large number of which have been recorded utilising this species as prey. Despite their name, Springhares are neither hares nor rabbits, but are rodents and are placed in their own unique genus. They have a sandy, cinnamon-coloured pelt, with a long bushy tail ending in a dark brown or black tip. Whilst there is some size variation regionally, the only significant colour variation recorded previously is from a very dark, almost melanistic, individual in the collection of the American Museum of Natural History (Butynski 2013b). More recently in 2010, a similar specimen, almost jet-black, was collected near Cradock in the Eastern Cape and is now housed in the McGregor Museum collection (B. Wilson unpubl. data).<br/><br/>With the exclusion of deserts and forested areas, the Springhare has a wide distribution in flat, arid and semi-arid areas. Pans and pan fringes can be considered optimum habitat. They prefer relatively flat and open habitats with short grass (in particular <em>Cynodon</em> spp.; Monadjem et al. 2015), usually where there is little or no woody vegetation (Smithers 1971; Butynski &amp; Mattingly 1979; Butynski 1984, 2013b; Augustine et al. 1995; Anderson 1996; Skinner &amp; Chimimba 2005). They are generally absent from areas of tall grass, dense woodland and Mopane (<em>Colophospermum mopane</em>) or miombo (<em>Brachystegia</em> spp.) where the soils are clay and poorly drained (Butynski 2013b). The species is a prolific burrower, remaining in any one burrow for only a few consecutive days (Peinke &amp; Brown 2005) and, as such, is largely dependent on the presence of deep, compact, sandy soils that are suitable for burrowing into, and is absent from areas where the substrate is harder or unsuitable for burrowing (Smithers 1971; Butynski &amp; Mattingly 1979; Coetzee 1979; Anderson 1996; Skinner &amp; Chimimba 2005; Peinke &amp; Brown 2006). Springhare also do well in areas that have been disturbed by cultivation and/or heavy grazing (Smithers 1971; de Graaf 1981; Augustine et al. 1995; Skinner &amp; Chimimba 2005; Peinke &amp; Brown 2006; Butynski 2013b). They are grazers feeding mainly on green grass seeds which are high in protein and water, but will also selectively feed on grass stems, leaves, corms, roots and rhizomes. As highly selective feeders, Springhare often uproot entire plants, feed on only chosen sections and discard the remainder (Skinner &amp; Chimimba 2005).<br/><br/>The species is almost exclusively nocturnal, but is sometimes encountered in the late afternoons during winter months. They forage in groups of two to six individuals, however, group adhesion is not persistent, and members may join and leave with little reaction from others (Butynski 1984). Activity patterns are noticeably influenced by moonlight intensity, where they are known to forage much further from burrows (up to 400 m) during new moon cycles, and remain closer to burrows (about 30 m) at periods of full moon (Anderson 1996). Springhares are non-territorial (Anderson 1996). Passive scent marking by means of a perianal gland takes place during feeding episodes, causing scent highways that the animal uses to locate its burrow quickly (Anderson 1996). This can be applied inside the burrow as well. Springhares are non-seasonal breeders, giving birth to one young after a gestation of an average of 77 days, and thus has a slow reproductive rate for a rodent (Butynski 1979; van der Merwe et al. 1980; Monadjem et al. 2015). Females may reproduce up to three times per year. Fatherhood is ensured by the depositing of a sperm plug into the female, thus preventing other males from impregnating that specific female (Anderson 1996). Its home range varies greatly between different individuals from 0.3 ha up to 28 ha (Peinke &amp; Brown 2005). Burrows can cover an area of 170 m<sup>2</sup>, displacing approximately one ton of subsoil in the process (Anderson 1996). Burrows are occupied by a single animal or a mother and kitten.<br/><br/>Ecosystem and cultural services: This species is a keystone species in many of the ecosystems in which it occurs (Butynski 2013b). As such, the long-term survival of the species needs to be ensured. Firstly, Springhare burrows provide shelter and core areas for foraging for at least 20 other mammal, three bird, six reptile and 22 invertebrate species (Anderson 1996; Skinner &amp; Chimimba, 2005). These include other threatened species such as Temminck’s Ground Pangolin (<em>Smutsia temminckii</em>) and Black-footed Cat (<em>Felis nigripes</em>) (B. Wilson unpubl. data). The use of Springhare burrows by other species is particularly common in semi-arid regions of the Northern Cape, where burrows provide stable micro-environments away from extreme ranges in temperature and humidity (Skinnner &amp; Chimimba 2005).<br/><br/>Additionally, Springhares are an important prey component within the food chains of all ecosystems in which they occur. From various studies on the species, Anderson (1996) and Skinner and Chimimba (2005) reported at least 20 mammals, seven birds and four reptiles as having preyed upon Springhares. One highly interesting case involved active hunting of Springhare by a pair of Bateleur Eagles (<em>Terathopius ecaudatus</em>) in the Kalahari, and this probably took place during late afternoon or moonlit nights (Anderson &amp; Maritz 1994).

Threats

While there are no quantified major threats to this species, its slow reproductive rate and sensitivity to disturbance means that several minor threats may cause local declines or extinctions:
  1. Persecution because of damage caused to crops. Butynski (1973) estimated that 10–15% of maize, sorghum, beans and groundnuts grown in Botswana were destroyed by Springhare but there is no information available on the extent of this problem or on the control measures implemented by farmers. The impact is felt on commercial crops, but probably more significantly by subsistence crop growers. Coetzee (1979) does report that Springhares are absent from some farms where one would expect them to be, and indicates that this could be due to persecution. Their digging activities have also reportedly damaged roads, and anecdotal claims that eight foraging Springhares consume the same amount as a sheep are commonly heard from farmers. For these reasons, attempts to eradicate or significantly reduce resident subpopulations on some properties have resulted in localised declines and even extinctions in some cases. The general absence of information on this, however, suggests that it may not be a serious problem.
  2. Hunting for recreation and subsistence purposes (Butynski 1973; Coetzee 1979). Hunting for recreational and subsistence purposes takes place but there is no quantitative information available from the assessment region. As both recreational and subsistence hunting have been happening for many years without any apparent impact this may not be a serious problem. It is, however, important to note that Springhare are very easily hunted at night with a spotlight and are consequently are very easily eradicated from areas. This, combined with a relatively low reproductive output (especially for a rodent), means that they could be vulnerable to high levels of hunting or utilisation.
  3. Habitat loss and transformation (Driver et al. 2012). Overall, 18% of South Africa’s surface area has already been irreversibly transformed mostly through cultivation, mining, forestry and urban development. In some regions the percentage of natural habitat lost is much higher and the rates of loss are alarming.
  4. Periods of abnormally high rainfall and floods will definitely affect Springhare subpopulation numbers, due to drowning. Additionally, persistently high rainfall levels, associated with climate change, may result in habitat loss, due to alteration in the form of increased grass height and woody cover. As a result of their fossorial habits, as well as their preference to colonise pan fringes (optimum habitat), Anderson (1996) modelled that excessive rainfall episodes is the biggest driving force in population regulation in the Northern Cape as a result of drowning.
This genus already has two extinct South African species of Pedetes known from fossil records (Butynski 2013a), namely P. gracilis (Davies 1982) and P. hagenstadi (Cooke 1955), having occurred in the region of Taung, North West and Hagenstad Salt Pan (now known as Florisbad), Free State), respectively. These extinct species perhaps suggest the genus is vulnerable to disturbance and provide a cautionary tale for current conservation.

Population

Population trend

This species is common to abundant across most of its range and is the most frequently encountered mammal while spotlighting in the more arid parts of the country (Power 2014). Highest densities are reached on flood plains and fossil lake beds (pans) where the vegetation is open, the grass is short and green, and sandy soils are available (Butynski 2013b). Population size is difficult to estimate but the following Springhare densities have been reported in the literature:<br/><ul><li>Across seven sites in the Kimberley region, density ranged from 3 individuals / km<sup>2</sup> in Kalahari Sandveld to 19 individuals / km<sup>2</sup> in panveld (Anderson 1996); and 5 individuals / km<sup>2</sup> on Benfontein Game Farm (Stenkewitz et al. 2010).</li><li>Across fifteen sites in the Eastern Cape Province, densities ranged from 1 individual / km<sup>2</sup> to 99 individuals / km<sup>2</sup> (Peinke 2000; Peinke &amp; Brown 2006).</li><li>At Sandveld Nature Reserve, Free State Province: 40 individuals / km<sup>2 </sup>(Watson 1992).</li><li>At SA Lombard Nature Reserve, North West Province: 10 individuals / km<sup>2</sup> (van der Walt 1989).</li></ul>Assuming that Springhare only occur over 30% of their defined area of occupancy (due to their need for deep sandy soils resulting in the patchy distribution) it can be estimated that there are conservatively between 2.23 million (8 x 278,700 km<sup>2</sup>) and 11.15 million (40 x 278,700 km<sup>2</sup>) Springhare in the country. Secondly, assuming that on average 74% of the aboveground population are adults (Butynski 1978; Anderson 1996; Peinke &amp; Bernard 2005) then there are an estimated 1.65 and 8.25 million mature individuals in the national population. This is, however, only a very rough estimate and should be treated with extreme caution.<br/><br/>When only one Springhare species was recognized, it was listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN in 1996 due to an approximately 20% decrease in the population over the previous ten years. This was caused by intense hunting and the loss of habitat. This negative trend has not persisted, however, and the species is now listed as Least Concern. No current information is available on population trends, but the overall trend is suspected to be stable. Certain localised areas in the central Karoo, Eastern Cape and lower Kalahari have already reported lower numbers than those recorded 30–40 years ago. This may be indicative of a gradual decline as a result of persecution and

Bibliography

RLDB
Hamer, M.L. 2000. Review of the millipede genus <i>Doratogonus</i>, with descriptions of fifteen new species from Southern Africa (Diplopoda, Spirostreptida, Spirostreptidae)

RLDB
Hamer, M.L. and Slotow, R.H. 2000. Patterns of distribution and speciation in the genus <i>Doratogonus</i> (Diplopoda: Spirostreptidae). In: Progress in studies on Myriapoda and Onychophora

RLDB
Hamer, M.L. and Slotow, R.H. 2002. Conservation application of existing data for South African millipedes (Diplopoda)

ELECTRONIC SOURCE
South African National Biodiversity Institute 2014. National Landcover Map

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