NYMPHALIDAE
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https://doi.org/10.4314/met.v31i4.1 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03B887F5-FF5E-FF40-FF47-FF61BDFD2836 |
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treatment provided by |
Felipe |
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scientific name |
NYMPHALIDAE |
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FAMILY: NYMPHALIDAE View in CoL View at ENA
Genus Cassionympha Dickson, 1981 .
Cassionympha camdeboo (Dickson, [1981]) Camdeboo Dull Brown ; Kamdeboo Bosbruintjie
Ernest L. Pringle
LC
Rare – Restricted Range
Endemic
localities for this species. This taxon thus qualifies globally under the IUCN criteria as Least Concern and is classified nationally as Rare (Range Restricted).
Change in status from SABCA: The status has not changed from the previous assessment.
Threats: No threats at present.
Conservation measures and research required: No conservation actions recommended. Research is required into its taxonomy, life history and ecology. Better appreciation of its distribution and subpopulation sizes is needed.
Cassionympha perissinottoi Pringle, 2013 Southern Rainforest Dull Brown; Kusbruintjie
Ernest L. Pringle
LC
Rare – Restricted Range, Habitat Specialist
Endemic
Type locality: Eastern Cape province: Aberdeen. Taxonomy: There are no notable issues .
Distribution: Endemic to the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, in the Aberdeen district.
Habitat: Comparatively moist woodland and scrub at high altitude.
Vegetation types: NKl2 Eastern Lower Karoo, NKu2 Upper Karoo Hardeveld.
Assessment rationale: This is a range restricted endemic species found in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa ( EOO 30 km 2). There are two known subpopulations, which are not threatened and are in remote areas. Further exploration of this area will in all likelihood reveal further
Type locality: Cape Aghulas, Western Cape.
Taxonomy: Although there is no lack of clarity about the differences between this taxon and its close congeners, all records from the southern Cape for Cassionympha cassius and C. detecta will have to be reexamined, because many could represent this new species. Until this is done, its
distribution will remain unclear.
Distribution: Endemic to the Western Cape province of South Africa, currently known only from Cape Agulhas and Pringle Bay but probably also occurring elsewhere in the southern Cape.
Habitat: This taxon seems to prefer wetlands, but can also be found in nearby milkwood forests.
Vegetation types: FFd6 Hangklip Sand Fynbos, FFs12 Overberg Sandstone Fynbos, FS7 Overberg Dune Strandveld.
Assessment rationale: This is a range-restricted endemic species from the Western Cape province in South Africa (EOO 117 km 2).There are currently no known threats. The taxon thus qualifies globally under the IUCN criteria as Least Concern and is nationally classified as Rare (Restricted Range and Habitat Specialist).
Change in status from SABCA: Not previously assessed. Threats: There are no known threats at present.
Conservation measures and research required: No conservation measures required at present but research is needed into its life history, ecology, population trends and distribution. Because this taxon has only recently been identified, it is not known which of the subpopulations from the southern Cape belong to this species, and which belong to closely related taxa. Until this has been investigated properly its distribution will remain uncertain.
Relevant literature:
Pringle, E.L. 2013. A new species of Cassionympha Van Son ( Nymphalidae : Satyrinae ) from the southern coast of the Western Cape, with a discussion of its possible evolutionary origins. Metamorphosis 24: 38–43.
Genus Charaxes Ochsenheimer, 1816 .
Charaxes druceanus solitaria Henning & Henning, 1992 Blouberg Silver-barred Charaxes ; Blouberg Silwerstreep Dubbelstert
André J. Coetzer
LC
Rare – Restricted Range
Endemic
Type locality: South Africa, Blouberg , Northern Transvaal, 10-13.x.1985 .
Taxonomy: There are no notable issues.
Distribution: Endemic to Limpopo province in South Africa, limited to the upper forests of the Blouberg inselberg near Poleni.
Habitat: The taxon is found in montane forests at higher altitudes of the Blouberg mountain.
Vegetation types: FOz4 Northern Mistbelt Forest, Gm24 Northern Escarpment Afromontane Fynbos, Gm28 Soutpansberg Summit Sourveld, SVcb21 Soutpansberg Mountain Bushveld.
Assessment rationale: This is a range restricted endemic from Limpopo province, South Africa (EOO 20 km 2). The records indicate an EOO of 1 km 2 and AOO of 8 km 2, and the maximum inferred EOO and AOO, based on unexplored but suitable habitat, is less than 20 km 2. This taxon is confined to the upper forests of the Blouberg. Even though there are plausible threats, such as deforestation by the local communities and unseasonal fires, these are not considered serious enough to rapidly push the species to critically endangered status, and consequently the species does not qualify for a Vulnerable status. There are rumors of proposed mining activity in the area, but these could not be confirmed at the time of the assessment, and were not considered a current threat. If, however, mining is approved for the mountain, this taxon should be reassessed. It thus qualifies as Least Concern according to the Global IUCN criteria and is listed as Rare (Restricted Range) in South Africa.
Change in status from SABCA: The status has not changed from the previous assessment.
Threats: As the taxon is confined to the uppermost stretches of forest on the Blouberg, a long-term increase in temperature and consequent reduction in forest cover may push it to extinction, but is not currently considered a threat. Grazing by livestock, the main land-use on this communally owned mountain, is not considered a threat as it should not have a serious impact on the Syzygium trees (the host plant of the taxon).
Conservation measures and research required: No conservation actions are currently required. Research is needed into its taxonomy and ecological/habitat requirements, as well as any possible threats.
Relevant literature:
Coetzer, A.J. 2014. Exploring the Blouberg. Babbel Blues 1: 10–14.
Charaxes marieps Van Someren & Jackson, 1957 Marieps Charaxes ; Marieps Dubbelstert
Bennie H. Coetzer
LC
Rare – Restricted Range
Endemic
Habitat: Montane temperate forest, forest edges and rocky ledges.
Vegetation types: FOz4 Northern Mistbelt Forest, Gm23 Northern Escarpment Quartzite Sourveld.
Assessment rationale: A rare range restricted endemic ( EOO <24 km 2) occurring only in a single forest in Mpumalanga province, South Africa. It is assessed as Least Concern as no specific threats are currently known. Nationally it is classified as Rare (Restricted Range) .
Change in status from SABCA: The status has not changed from the previous assessment.
Threats: This species occurs in a small area that is either inaccessible or conserved. There are currently no recorded threats.
Conservation measures and research required: No conservation actions required since a large part of its distribution area is either currently conserved or inaccessible.
Charaxes xiphares occidentalis Pringle, 1995
Southern Forest-king Charaxes ; Langeberg Boskoning Dubbelstert
Andrew Morton
LC
Extremely Rare
Endemic
Type locality: Transvaal, Mariepskop.
Taxonomy: There are no notable issues.
Distribution: Endemic to Mpumalanga province, South Africa, where it only occurs in the forest of one mountain, Mariepskop. There are older records from Graskop, Mt Sheba Nature Reserve (Pennington), Ceylon Forest near Sabie (Hull) – all referenced in Pringle et al. (1994). Since there are no recent records from these other sites they have not been taken into account for this assessment.
Type locality: Grootvadersbosch, Swellendam 1- 6 November, 1940 (Transvaal Museum).
Taxonomy: There are no notable issues.
Distribution: Endemic to the Western Cape province in South Africa, in the Swellendam area in a single forest. Also possibly found in forest pockets in the general area and along forested streams.
Habitat: Temperate montane forest, in forests, forest edges and along forested river valleys.
Vegetation types: FFc1 Swellendam Silcrete Fynbos, FFs16 South Langeberg Sandstone Fynbos, FOz1 Southern Afrotemperate Forest.
Assessment rationale: This range restricted taxon is endemic to the Western Cape province, South Africa ( EOO 6 km 2). It is protected together with the forest in which it flies in the Grootvadersbos Nature Reserve. This is the largest remaining forest in the south-western Cape. This taxon is a habitat specialist and only occurs in this forest where its larval host plant, Scutia myrtina , grows under the canopy. There are no immediate threats to this taxon. The taxon thus qualifies globally under the IUCN criteria as Least Concern and is nationally classified as Extremely Rare .
Change in status from SABCA: The status has not changed from the previous assessment.
Threats: The Western Cape is experiencing a severe drought. This may have a negative impact on population numbers in future. This taxon is found in damp forested areas where its host plant Cat-thorn ( S. myrtina ) grows. Any negative impact on the abundance of the larval host plant could have an effect on the abundance of the species. There are presently no notable signs of the drought's impact on the butterfly.
Habitat: Temperate and montane forests and forest edges.
Vegetation types: FOz4 Northern Mistbelt Forest, Gm24 Northern Escarpment Afromontane Fynbos, Gm28 Soutpansberg Summit Sourveld, SVcb21 Soutpansberg Mountain Bushveld.
Assessment rationale: A range restricted endemic taxon occurring only in the forests of the Blouberg Mountain in Limpopo province, South Africa ( EOO <76 km 2). There are no significant threats to this taxon. It therefore qualifies globally as Least Concern and nationally as Rare (Restricted Range) .
Conservation measures and research required: This taxon only occurs at Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve and is well managed by CapeNature, who have been informed of its occurrence. The life history is well known but further research into its population size and distribution is necessary.
Charaxes xiphares staudei Henning & Henning, 1992 Blouberg Forest-king Charaxes ; Blouberg Boskoning Dubbelstert
André J. Coetzer
LC
Rare – Restricted Range
Endemic
Type locality: South Africa, Blouberg , Northern Transvaal, 10-13.x.1985, W. & H. Staude .
Taxonomy: There are no notable issues.
Distribution: Endemic to Limpopo province in South Africa, from the forests of the Blouberg.
Change in status from SABCA: The status has not changed from the previous assessment.
Threats: No known threats.
Conservation measures and research required: No conservation actions are currently required. Research is needed into its taxonomy and ecological/habitat requirements, as well as any possible threats.
Relevant literature:
Coetzer, A.J. 2014. Exploring the Blouberg. Babbel Blues 1: 10–14.
Genus Coenyropsis van Son, 1958 .
Coenyropsis natalii poetulodes Vári, 1971
Wolkberg Lined Orange Ringlet; Strydpoort Skimbruintjie
André J. Coetzer
LC
Endemic
therefore now considerably larger. There are few, if any, threats that could have a serious impact on the population size or the area of occurrence of the taxon. The taxon thus qualifies globally and nationally under the IUCN criteria as Least Concern.
Change in status from SABCA: The main reason why the status has changed from the previous assessment is due to new distribution records being used. In the past, it was assessed only from records coming from Tubex and Chuniespoort area. During the current assessment, a new record from Ohrigstad was included and verified by the collector. This has increased the AOO and EOO dramatically. While there are still some gaps in the distribution, the range and potentially suitable habitat where this taxon is now found does not justify any threatened status. The first assessment should therefore have also been Least Concern, therefore the status change from Data Deficient to Least Concern is not genuine.
Threats: Although the taxon has a restricted range, it currently faces no threats. Specimens often frequent steep rocky slopes where neither fire nor livestock grazing is a notable threat.
Conservation measures and research required: Surveys need to be undertaken at the known localities as well as in the area between Ohrigstad and Tubex. Visits to Chuniespoort and Tubex have shown that there are still large stretches of suitable habitat where it could occur at the right time of year. If it can be found research is needed into its taxonomy, life history and ecology, as well as its population size and distribution.
Genus Cymothoe Hübner, [1819] .
Cymothoe alcimeda clarki Stevenson, 1940 Amatola Battling Glider ; Amatola Alsie Witkoppie
Ernest L. Pringle
LC Endemic
Type locality: Chuniespoort.
Type locality: Hogs Back in the Eastern Cape province.
Taxonomy: There are no notable issues.
Taxonomy: The validity of this subspecies has been questioned, but since no taxonomic studies have been done using modern scientific techniques such as genetics, it is assumed to be valid for this assessment.
Distribution: Endemic to Limpopo province in South Africa, from the western Wolkberg near Chuniespoort to Ohrigstad.
Habitat: Rank grassy slopes at altitudes of 1 000 to 1 500 m, in mixed savanna/grassland.
Vegetation types: SVcb26 Ohrigstad Mountain Bushveld, SVl3 Granite Lowveld.
Assessment rationale: A restricted endemic taxon from Limpopo province, South Africa ( EOO 752 km 2). This taxon was previously listed as Data Deficient because of its small distribution. The 2012 assessment did not include the Ohrigstad record. The record identification was confirmed by G. Henning (pers. comm.), and the range of the taxon is
Genus Dingana van Son, 1955
Dingana alaedeus Henning & Henning, 1984 Wakkerstroom Widow ; Wakkerstroom Weduwee
Graham A. Henning
NT B1a
Endemic
Distribution: Endemic to the Eastern Cape province in South Africa, known from several forests in the Amatole mountains from near Fort Beaufort in the west to Stutterheim in the east.
Habitat: Afromontane forest, specifically on the edges and in clearings.
Vegetation types: FOz3 Southern Mistbelt Forest, Gd1 Amathole Montane Grassland, Gs17 Tarkastad Montane Shrubland, SVs7 Bhisho Thornveld.
Assessment rationale: This is an endemic taxon from the Eastern Cape province in South Africa (EOO 1 302 km 2). There are at least 21 subpopulations and it is not threatened at present. Most of these forests are protected by law, even though the laws are poorly implemented. There is a future concern of habitat degradation by alien plant invasions and loss of habitat to pine and blue-gum plantations. The taxon thus qualifies globally under the IUCN criteria as Least Concern.
Change in status from SABCA: The previous assessment used the incorrect information. It was previously placed in the Vulnerable category because the forest habitat was presumed threatened. The fact is that this species occurs in very extensive forests, and is widespread within them. There is no evidence of any population decline over time and it should have been assessed as Least Concern previously. To make matters worse for this argument, the species actually uses a host plant that is very widespread, and is actually a pioneer plant that likes disturbance. So mismanaging the forests would probably favour it. The status change from Vulnerable to Least Concern is therefore non-genuine.
Threats: Even though the forests in the Amatole mountain range fall mostly within protected areas, there is a future potential threat of degradation of habitat due to alien plant invasions and loss of habitat to pine plantations. There are real problems in the Eastern Cape province concerning jurisdiction over these forests, as well as implementation of conservation measures. This has resulted in paralysis in the coordination and implementation of adequate natural forest conservation in this region.
Conservation measures and research required: This taxon occurs in forests, which could be threatened by the expansion of plantations and uncontrolled encroachment by alien species. Research is needed into its taxonomy, distribution and population size/trends.
Type locality: Transvaal, Wakkerstroom.
Taxonomy: There are no notable issues.
Distribution: Endemic to the KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga provinces in South Africa, from around Wakkerstroom in Mpumalanga and in neighbouring KwaZulu-Natal province.
Habitat: Wakkerstroom Montane Grassland at high altitude, along steep, grassy slopes below the rocky ridges of the escarpment. The habitat comprises steep south-facing grassy slopes, gullies and nearby grassland, associated with populations of Ouhout, Leucosidea sericea . It has been found at altitudes above 1 900 m.
Vegetation types: Gm14 Wakkerstroom Montane Grassland.
Assessment rationale: A range-restricted endemic species from the Wakkerstroom area in Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, South Africa ( EOO 153 km 2). There are six locations, with a potential plausible future threat of habitat
modification from fire, drought and alien invasive plants. Mining and farming are also possible threats, as are overgrazing and unseasonal fires during the flight period. The taxon thus qualifies globally under the IUCN criteria as Near Threatened under criterion B.
Change in status from SABCA: The status has not changed from the previous assessment.
Threats: While the habitat is fairly remote there is a threat of modification from fire, drought and alien invasive plants. Mining and farming are also possible threats as are overgrazing and unseasonal fires during the flight period. However, the threats are unlikely to impact the species very quickly due to the nature of habitat.
Conservation measures and research required: Further exploration of the area around Wakkerstroom, Utrecht and Groenvlei is required to identify additional subpopulations. Research is needed into its life history, ecology/habitat requirements, and monitoring of known subpopulations is recommended to determine the population size and trends.
Wolkberg Widow; Wolkberg Weduwee
Justin D. Bode
EN B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)
Endemic
Taxonomy: There are no notable issues.
Distribution: Endemic to Limpopo province in South Africa, in the Wolkberg at Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve near Tzaneen in the south to just south of Haenertsburg in the north.
Habitat: Flies on high altitude Protea slopes. Seems to prefer steep, south-facing, grassy slopes, alongside rocks.
Vegetation types: FOz4 Northern Mistbelt Forest, Gm23 Northern Escarpment Quartzite Sourveld, Gm26 Wolkberg Dolomite Grassland.
Assessment rationale: Endemic to the Wolkberg centre of endemism in Limpopo province in South Africa (EOO 238 km 2, AOO 32 km 2), this taxon is known from four locations that are under threat from afforestation and unseasonal fires. The taxon is an altitudinal specialist and climate change could pose a future threat. The taxon thus qualifies globally under the IUCN criteria as Endangered under criterion B.
Change in status from SABCA: The status has not changed from the previous assessment.
Threats: As this taxon occurs in the Mesic Highveld Grassland Bioregion its habitat is vulnerable to fires (both wildfires and human induced fires), as well as to droughts and possibly global temperature changes. Due to the steep slopes that the butterfly prefers, and the fact that some of the colonies are in a nature reserve, it is unlikely that human development (apart from afforestation) will be a threat in the near future. However, it is likely that afforestation in the past has resulted in habitat loss. Due to the species being an altitudinal specialist, it is possible that climate change could have an impact in the future, however, the nature of this impact is currently unknown.
Conservation measures and research required: Because of its very restricted range, further research into this species and its distribution, as well as careful monitoring of the status of its subpopulations, is recommended. Two of the subpopulations fall in the Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve, but even here a habitat management plan, which includes an appropriate fire regime, is required to protect the ecological processes required by this taxon.
Dingana dingana (Trimen, 1873)
Midlands Widow; Dingaan se Weduwee
Kevin N.A. Cockburn
EN B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v) Endemic
Type locality: Malan Spruit, Natal.
Taxonomy: There are no notable issues.
Distribution: Endemic to KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa, from the Estcourt and Mooi River regions and west towards Greytown.
Type locality: Wolkberg , Pietersburg district, Transvaal .
Habitat: Grassland, usually among large dolerite or
sandstone boulders, at an altitude of 1 300 m to 1500 m.
Vegetation types: Gs 8 Mooi River Highland Grassland .
species. This has been coupled with a lack of habitat connectivity and habitat fragmentation. Changed fire frequency due to adjacent plantations as well as for fodder management is also a threat. Continuous grazing on communal grazing areas is exerting pressure on habitats. Gas exploration and potential future fracking activity pose a major threat to this taxon, as the area has been targeted for exploratory drilling.
Conservation measures and research required: No subpopulations have been found in conservation areas. Survey of likely habitats is needed to identify additional subpopulations. Most subpopulations are on privately owned farmland with one or two on public or state land. The Mooi River subpopulation on public land needs a management plan. The relevant landowners on farmland should be included in an awareness program. Research is needed into its life history, ecology/habitat requirements, and monitoring of known subpopulations is recommended to determine the population size and trends.
Dingana fraterna Henning & Henning, 1996
Stoffberg Widow; Stoffberg Weduwee
Graham A. Henning
CR B1ab(iii,v); C2a(ii)
Endemic
Assessment rationale: This range-restricted endemic is from the Midlands in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa ( EOO 130 km 2, AOO 52 km 2). There are three locations. The habitat is subjected to increasing human impact and grazing pressures. Increasing numbers of livestock, in particular small stock, are expected to cause degradation of the habitat at some of the localities. The grassland is a fire-climax vegetation type, and increased demand for fodder is leading to alteration of burning times and the reduction in fuel loads. These changes are expected to change the vegetation composition over time. Impacting factors, mentioned above, are being observed at present. At one of the three locations for this species no adults from a well-known subpopulation have been seen for more than 10 years. The taxon thus qualifies globally under the IUCN criteria as Endangered under criterion B .
Change in status from SABCA: Previously assessed as Vulnerable (B1 & B2) with 6-10 locations, now assessed as Endangered (B1 & B2) with 3 locations. The status of the population has not changed much since the first assessment and threats have not significantly intensified to qualify a downgrade in status. The main reason for the change in status is due to the calculation and interpretation of the number of locations, which should have also been three locations for the first assessment, having made it Endangered then too. The change in status from Vulnerable to Endangered is therefore not genuine.
Threats: The main threats emanate from agricultural activity and commercial afforestation of Eucalyptus and Pinus
Type locality: South Africa: Mpumalanga, Stoffberg , 13.x.1996, G.A. Henning .
Taxonomy: There are no notable issues.
Distribution: Endemic to Limpopo province in South Africa, only existing at one locality in Sekhukhuneland. It is locally extinct from Stoffberg in Mpumalanga province.
Habitat: Grassy, rocky ridges and slopes of the eastern edge of the Highveld plateau in a very limited geological area, the Rashoop Granophyre suite.
Vegetation types: Gm 11 Rand Highveld Grassland, ( Gm 11 Rand Highveld Grassland ) .
Assessment rationale: An endemic species from Limpopo province, South Africa (EOO 4 km 2). There is one location and the population is small. There is decline in EOO, AOO, habitat, number of subpopulations and number of mature individuals because of the loss of one of the two known locations, mainly due to fires during the flight period. The taxon thus qualifies globally under the IUCN criteria as Critically Endangered under criteria B and C.
Change in status from SABCA: A new locality for this species was recently found and thus it is no longer Possibly Extinct. It still occurs in a very restricted range and faces threats from untimely fires, thus the change in status from possibly Extinct to Critically Endangered is non-genuine.
Threats: The main threat to this species is untimely fires (both natural and human-induced). Fires during the flight period of the adults could destroy a large part of the reproductive population. The larvae may survive a fire in certain instars, but no published information on this is available. The main locality is near a human settlement, and cattle are grazed on the common land. There is potential for some agricultural development. Nearby mining operations may also pose a threat. Possible invasive plant threat from nearby Black Wattle ( Acacia mearnsii ) infestation.
Conservation measures and research required: There are currently no conservation measures in place, but a detailed management plan is recommended for this taxon. Special attention should be given to appropriate fire regimes as well as to the constant threat of mining and agricultural activities in the area. The current research programme should expand to include the life history and ecology/habitat requirements, with monitoring of the population size, distribution and trends.
Dingana jerinae Henning & Henning, 1996
Krantzberg Widow; Kransberg Weduwee
Justin D. Bode
VU D2
Endemic
Type locality: Limpopo, Kransberg .
Taxonomy: There are no notable issues.
Distribution: Endemic to Limpopo province in South Africa, in the Waterberg near Thabazimbi.
Habitat: Grassy slopes and rocky ledges on mountains.
Vegetation types: Gm29 Waterberg-Magaliesberg Summit Sourveld.
Assessment rationale: A range-restricted endemic of the Waterberg Mountains of Limpopo province (EOO 4.1 km 2), known from two locations which are potentially threatened by climate change induced devastating fires, which could wipe out one or both of the locations and bring the taxon to CR or EX. The taxon thus qualifies globally under the IUCN criteria as Vulnerable under criterion D.
Change in status from SABCA: New information in the form of validated distribution records, and incorrect application of the Red List criteria where future potential threats were not taken into consideration during the first assessment, mean that the change in status from Least Concern to Vulnerable is non-genuine. It would have been Vulnerable during the first assessment too.
Threats: A devastating fire during the flight period of the adults could threaten the existence of this species, especially since the two subpopulations are so close to each other. Increasing temperatures and droughts have brought about this situation.
Conservation measures and research required: It is recommended that the subpopulations are monitored for any changes in the habitat and that an appropriate fire regime is instituted. Research is needed into its life history, ecology/habitat requirements, and monitoring of known subpopulations is recommended to determine the population size and trends.
Genus Dira van Son, 1955 .
Dira swanepoeli isolata van Son, 1955
Blouberg Northern Autumn Widow; Blouberg Weduwee
André J. Coetzer
VU D2
Endemic
several locations for this butterfly on the Blouberg mountain, there is no control over these unseasonal fires and grazing. The taxon thus qualifies under the IUCN criteria as Vulnerable under criterion D.
Change in status from SABCA: This taxon was previously assessed as Least Concern because no threats were believed to affect the population, based on records from the 1980s and early 1990s. In recent years, additional data became available, both from records collected in 2013 as well as from personal communication with botanists who work extensively on the mountain. The threat of untimely fires was discovered, which should have been taken into account for the first assessment as a future potential threat, having made it Vulnerable (D2) then too. Hence the change in status from Least Concern to Vulnerable is not genuine.
Threats: The taxon is a grassland-forest ecotone specialist and is only known to occur on the Blouberg, Limpopo province. Population numbers can be seriously affected by untimely fires during the flight period, and local people are known to burn grasslands on the mountain to promote grass growth for grazing. Therefore, while grazing by livestock may not be a major direct threat because the taxon normally occurs on rocky ridges, uncontrolled burning of grasslands during the flight period could be very serious.
Conservation measures and research required: A monitoring system should be put in place to gain a better understanding of this taxon and its habitat requirements. It is recommended that the local community be made aware of this endemic taxon and of the effects that unseasonal fires and livestock grazing may have on its population.
Relevant literature:
Coetzer, A.J. 2014. Exploring the Blouberg. Babbel Blues 1: 10–14.
Genus Neita van Son, 1955 .
Neita lotenia (van Son, 1949) Loteni Large Ringlet ; Drakensberg Bergbruintjie Type locality: Blaauwberg, Northern Transvaal.
Taxonomy: There are no notable issues.
Kevin N.A. Cockburn
LC
Rare – Low Density
Distribution: Endemic to Limpopo province in South Africa, on the southern and eastern slopes of the Blouberg.
Habitat: Rocky ridges on montane grassy slopes and plateaus and grassy areas between thicker woodland on the eastern side of the mountain.
Vegetation types: FOz4 Northern Mistbelt Forest, Gm28 Soutpansberg Summit Sourveld.
Assessment rationale: A range restricted endemic from the Blouberg mountain in Limpopo province, South Africa (EOO & AOO 16 km 2). This taxon was listed as Rare in the previous 2012 assessment. However, the 2012 assessment was conducted using only a few old specimen records from the 1980s and early 1990s and without practical experience of the habitat where the taxa occurs. Recent surveys have revealed threats that were unknown in 2012, namely the unseasonal fires which the local people use to promote grassland growth and livestock grazing. While there are
Genus Neptis Fabricius, 1807
Neptis serena serena Overlaet, 1955 Serene Sailer ; Kalm Swewer
Ernest L. Pringle
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