PLANTAE / PHANEROGAMAE / ANTHOPHYTA / ALISMATALES / POTAMOGETONACEAE / PSEUDALTHENIA / ASCHERSONIANA

Pseudalthenia aschersoniana (Graebn.) Hartog
CR Indigenous Endemic
Morphological description

Annuals with slender rhizomes. Stems upright, up to 60 cm long, 0.75 mm in diam., usually unbranched. Leaves alternate, linear, 2-7.5 cm long and 1-2 mm broad, narrowed gradually to the rounded apex, expanded below to form a sheath 5 mm long, which is auriculate above. Male flower a single stamen at first enveloped in a thin, membranous spathe, filament lengthening rapidly at anthesis, up to 25 mm long, the 4 locules forming a rectangular anther(squared in cross-section), dehiscing longitudinally, with a rounded apical knob and 2 small basal pustules on opposite sides of the connective. Female flowers surrounded by a vaginate spathe and an inner flask-shaped 'perianth' which is truncate above and closely appressed to the ovary and immature style; during anthesis the style lengthens rapidly and displays a large, ephemeral spoon- or funnel-shaped stigma. Fruit an asymmetrically graniform to somewhat bean-shaped drupelet, c.4 mm long, dorsally and occasionally ventrally, pectinate, stipitate below, crowned by the persistent style-base, brownish orange. The fruits formed below on the rhizomes geotropic, borne on stalks usually about 2 cm long(up to 6 cm); the fruits at right angles to the stalk. From: Obermeyer, AA. 1966. Order: Helobiae. In: LE Codd, B De Winter & HB Rycroft (eds). Fl. S. Africa 1: 56-112. BRI & Nat. Bot. Gdns, Pretoria & Cape Town. [https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/209551#page/1/mode/1up] [CC BY] As: Zannichellia aschersoniana Graebn.

Slender, submerged, aquatic annual to 60 cm. Leaves alternate, linear. Flowers minute. From: Manning, JC; Goldblatt, P. 2012. Potamogetonaceae. In: J Manning & P Goldblatt (eds), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape flora. Strelitzia 29: 226-227. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY] As: Zannichellia aschersoniana Graebn.

Habitat

In brackish pools near the sea. From: Obermeyer, AA. 1966. Order: Helobiae. In: LE Codd, B De Winter & HB Rycroft (eds). Fl. S. Africa 1: 56-112. BRI & Nat. Bot. Gdns, Pretoria & Cape Town. [https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/209551#page/1/mode/1up] [CC BY] As: Zannichellia aschersoniana Graebn.

Brackish pools near coast. From: Manning, JC; Goldblatt, P. 2012. Potamogetonaceae. In: J Manning & P Goldblatt (eds), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape flora. Strelitzia 29: 226-227. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY] As: Zannichellia aschersoniana Graebn.

Distribution

Endemic to the Cape Peninsula and neighbouring coastal areas; northwards it is reported from Lamberts Bay, eastwards from Still Bay. From: Obermeyer, AA. 1966. Order: Helobiae. In: LE Codd, B De Winter & HB Rycroft (eds). Fl. S. Africa 1: 56-112. BRI & Nat. Bot. Gdns, Pretoria & Cape Town. [https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/209551#page/1/mode/1up] [CC BY] As: Zannichellia aschersoniana Graebn.

Lambert's Bay to Still Bay. From: Manning, JC; Goldblatt, P. 2012. Potamogetonaceae. In: J Manning & P Goldblatt (eds), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape flora. Strelitzia 29: 226-227. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY] As: Zannichellia aschersoniana Graebn.

Altitude

0 to 200 m

Occurrence records map

This map contains point-based occurrences at different locations

iNaturalist: BODATSA: Data partners records:

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

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Names and Sources

Accepted name
Pseudalthenia aschersoniana (Graebn.) Hartog

Published in: Aquatic Bot. 9(1): 95 (1980)

Synonym(s)

Zannichellia aschersoniana Graebn.


Vleisia aschersoniana (Graebn.) Toml. & Posl.


Classification

KINGDOM Plantae

SUBKINGDOM Phanerogamae

PHYLUM Anthophyta

ORDER Alismatales

FAMILY Potamogetonaceae

GENUS Pseudalthenia

SPECIES aschersoniana

9 results for Pseudalthenia aschersoniana (Graebn.) Hartog

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Specimen records

Barcode: PRE0033054-0 Collector(s) & number: Wolley-Dod, AH, 3586 | 1897-11-11

South Africa, Western Cape, CAPE PENINSULA; VARSCHE VLEY; POOLS IN VLEY

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG1565132-0 Collector(s) & number: Stummer, H, FOTH1608/CR1565 | 2011-9-21

South Africa, Western Cape, Milnerton. Rietvlei Nature Reserve off Sandpiper Ave, Table View. On track to birdhides, fork on the left, 100 m further.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0033056-0 Collector(s) & number: Mauve, AA, 4252(cult) | 1963-1-14

South Africa, Western Cape, CAPE PENINSULA; MILNERTON; RIETVLEI

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0033058-0 Collector(s) & number: Tolken, HR, 333 | 1963-6-5

South Africa, Western Cape, CLANWILLIAM DIST.; LAMBERTS BAY; LANGE VLEI

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0033059-0 Collector(s) & number: Mauve, AA, 4385 | 1965-10-10

South Africa, Western Cape, CAPE PENINSULA DIST.; MILNERTON; RIETVLEI

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0033055-0 Collector(s) & number: Wolley-Dod, AH, 3381 | 1897-10-20

South Africa, Western Cape, CAPE PENINSULA; KOMMETJIE; KOMMETJIE EFFLUENCE

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0111474-0 Collector(s) & number: Mauve, AA, 4251 | 1963-1-14

South Africa, Western Cape, CAPE PENINSULA; NOORDHOEK

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0033057-0 Collector(s) & number: Mauve, AA, 4251 | 1963-1-14

South Africa, Western Cape, CAPE PENINSULA DIST.; NOORDHOEK; IN VLEI

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0033053-0 Collector(s) & number: Stephens, EL, 51 | 1930-1-17

South Africa, Western Cape, CAPE TOWN; MILNERTON; RIET VLEI

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Plant occurence records per dataset

Plant occurence records per year

Occurrence records map

This map contains point-based occurrences at different locations

iNaturalist: BODATSA: Data partners records:

2012

SERIES CHAPTER

Potamogetonaceae Manning, JC; Goldblatt, P

In: J Manning & P Goldblatt (eds), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape flora. Strelitzia 29: 226-227

South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria

1980

PERIODICAL/JOURNAL

Pseudalthenia antedates vleisia, a nomenclature note Den Hartog, C

Aquatic Botany 9: 95-95

1976

PERIODICAL/JOURNAL

Posluszny, U; Tomlinson, PB

Taxon 25:

1966

FLORA CHAPTER

Order: Helobiae Obermeyer, AA

In: LE Codd, B De Winter & HB Rycroft (eds). Flora of Southern Africa 1: 56-112

BRI & Nat. Bot. Gdns, Pretoria & Cape Town

No results found for Pseudalthenia aschersoniana (Graebn.) Hartog

Status

Global

Status and criteria

CR

Assessment date

2015-01-28

Assessor(s)

Plantae Coordinator

Distribution

Range

Within the southern African sub-region, the species occurs widely across Zimbabwe and in Mozambique south of the Zambezi River, and marginally in eastern Botswana (Skinner & Chimimba 2005). Within the assessment region, it occurs throughout the Limpopo Province, and north-western parts of the North West Province, and into parts of Gauteng and Mpumalanga. It is widespread but limited to areas with suitable rocky habitat, and is not as uniformly spread as other rupicolous small mammal species. In the North West Province, it was captured in Pilanesberg National Park and Madikwe Game Reserve in the north (but not at Borakalalo), and was captured for the first time in the Enzelsberg and in the norite koppies at Bospoort Dam (Power 2014). It was not captured further south (for example, in the Magaliesberg), and thus, based on high sampling effort, it probably does not occur there. In Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces this species was readily recorded in the red sandstone areas of Ezemvelo Nature Reserve (Gauteng) and Telperion (Mpumalanga) (MacFadyen 2014).

Habitat and ecology

Major system

Terrestrial

Major habitats

The species is largely associated with rocky terrain and usually found living under and among boulders in rocky habitat, favouring sheltered overhanging rocks and exfoliated pieces of rock, occasionally using holes in termite mounds or tree roots (Skinner &amp; Chimimba 2005), and sometimes recorded in areas with scattered rocks and scree fields. In Gauteng and Mpumalanga, they have been regularly recorded in grassy saddles between rocky areas (MacFadyen 2014). It is not known if the species can persist in disturbed or modified habitats.<br/><br/>It is largely nocturnal and terrestrial in habits (Hoole et al. 2012; MacFadyen 2014), although it may show some crepuscular activity, especially on overcast days. It reproduces seasonally during the South African spring and summer months (Medger et al. 2010, 2012; MacFadyen 2014), and has a litter size of two to four. Its diet consists predominantly of grass seeds and the seeds of other herbaceous plants, although they have been recorded to feed on termites and other insects, including millipedes, spiders and small snails (Vesey-Fitzgerald 1966).<br/><br/>The colloquial name of <em>A. spinosissimus</em> refers to the spiny pelage, which is not soft as in other species of murids but has a prickly appearance. The tail of the Spiny Mouse is sparsely bristled and darker above than below. Its skin is very thin and tears easily. Additionally, the skin around the tail is easily lost resulting in the loss of that part or the entire tail. Both are predator defence strategies, which confuse the attacker and enable the mouse to escape. Although the skin on the body grows back (Seifert et al. 2012), the tail is permanently lost. Individuals without tails are found frequently, which suggests that tail loss is not detrimental to their survival. Care needs to be taken when handling individuals. &#160;<br/><br/><strong>Ecosystem and cultural services:</strong> Similar to other small mammals, this species probably plays a role in regulating invertebrate numbers (and thus pest outbreaks), being an important forage species for predators (including felids, jackals, mongooses, genets, snakes and owls) in rocky areas, and breaking down vegetation for nest materials.

Threats

There are no major threats to this species as it occupies largely inaccessible rocky areas that are unsuitable for agriculture, livestock production and forestry. However, mining for gravel and rock (specifically granite) could lead to localised habitat loss and subpopulation decline.

Population

Population trend

This species is common, but seldom seen unless actively trapped in the right habitat and is not suspected to be declining, although its rocky habitat is naturally fragmented. At Telperion Nature Reserve in Mpumalanga, the mean minimum density of the species was 5 individuals / ha and total subpopulation size was thus estimated at 9,840 individuals (MacFadyen 2014). The species is usually solitary, in pairs or small family groups, so is never recorded in large numbers. Population numbers also tend to fluctuate seasonally, becoming more abundant in autumn (MacFadyen 2014).

Bibliography

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

JOURNAL ARTICLE
Kipping, J. 2006. The Odonata of Botswana - an annotated checklist. Cimbebasia Memoirs. 5:In press

ELECTRONIC SOURCE
IUCN 2006. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN - The World Conservation Union

JOURNAL ARTICLE
Pinhey, E. 1984. A survey of the dragonflies (Odonata) of South Africa. Part 1. Journal of the Entomological Society of South Africa. 47:147-188

JOURNAL ARTICLE
Pinhey, E. 1981. Checklist of the Odonata of Mozambique. Occasional papers of the national Museums and Monuments of Rhodesia, Series B. 6:557-631

JOURNAL ARTICLE
Longfield, C. 1955. The Odonata of North Angola. Part I. Publicações culturais Companhia de Diamantes de Angola. 27:11-64

JOURNAL ARTICLE
Pinhey, E. 1961. A collection of Odonata from Dundo, Angola. With the descriptions of two new species of Gomphids. Publiçacões culturais Companhia de Diamantes de Angola Lisboa. 56:71-76

JOURNAL ARTICLE
Pinhey, E. 1961. Some dragonflies (Odonata) from Angola; and descriptions of three new species of the family Gomphidae. Publiçacões culturais Companhia de Diamantes de Angola Lisboa. 56:81-86

JOURNAL ARTICLE
Pinhey, E. 1965. Odonata from Luanda and the Lucala River, Angola. Revista de Biologia, Lisboa. 5:159-164

JOURNAL ARTICLE
Waterston, A.R. and Pittaway, A.R. 1991 (1989. The Odonata or Dragonflies of Oman and neighbouring territories. Journal of Oman Studies. 10:131-168

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