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Macroscelidea
Id code: amd232Macroscelididae
Elephantulus edwardii
(A. Smith, 1839)
(Eng) Cape elephant-shrew
(Fre) Rat à trompe du Cap
Taxonomic notes
No significant taxonomic notes.
IUCN threat category
Vulnerable (VU: criteria B1+2c).
Available information
Little is known on the species' ecology, and the information available is reviewed in detail by Mills & Hes (1997) and Skinner & Smithers (1990). Data on its occurrence in the Karoo National Park (South Africa) are reported in De Graaff & Rautenbach (1983); the authors also include a description of the habitat in which the species was mainly observed. Distribution and notes on its ecology are found in Kingdon (1997) and Nicoll & Rathbun (1990).
Known extent of occurrence
Restricted to South Africa, the range of this elephant-shrew stretches only over two distinct coastal areas in south-west and central Cape Province (Nicoll & Rathbun, 1990; Wilson & Reeder, 1993). Its distribution map (Fig. 12.1.2.a), obtained from Skinner & Smithers (1990), was tested on the basis of information found in Nicoll & Rathbun (1990).
Categorical-discrete (CD) distribution model
This species prefers shrubland, karroid vegetation and grassland (Nicoll & Rathbun, 1990; De Graaff & Rautenbach, 1983; Mills & Hes, 1997).
Based on these environmental preferences, the following scores were assigned (Fig. 12.1.2.b) (12.1.2.a):
|
Score |
|
|
1 |
Grasslands; shrublands; bushlands and thickets. |
|
2 |
Woodlands and woodland mosaics and transition; croplands. |
|
3 |
Forests and absolute desert. |
|
suitable |
moderately suitable |
unsuitable |
Total |
||||
|
km2 |
% |
km2 |
% |
km2 |
% |
km2 |
% |
|
110 090 |
77 |
27 850 |
19 |
4 938 |
3 |
142 878 |
100 |
Tab 12.1.2.a: Cumulative size (km
2) of areas pertaining to each environmental suitability class within the Extent of Occurrence.|
Number Patches (NP) |
Mean Patch Size (MPS) km2 |
Patch Size SD (PSSD) km2 |
Largest Patch Index (LPI) % |
Mean Shape Index (MSI) |
Area-Weighted Mean Shape Index (AWMSI) |
|
|
suitable |
16 |
6 872 |
18 001 |
41.42 |
1.55 |
4.44 |
|
moderately suitable |
101 |
273 |
890 |
5.69 |
1.31 |
2.38 |
|
Total AO |
7 |
19 650 |
31 778 |
59.43 |
1.31 |
1.88 |
Tab 12.1.2.b: Area of Occupancy fragmentation indexes.
Probabilistic-continuous (PC) distribution model
The output of the probabilistic-continuous (PC) distribution model is shown in Fig. 12.1.2.c.
Validation
No occurrence of the species within the four sample areas.
Comments and conservation issues
The small EO is divided into two portions, quite isolated and distant from each other. Both appear to be of good general suitability (97% combining the two suitability classes) and fragmentation is almost absent. The PC model shows a much more articulate distribution of the suitability across the EO and it may be more accurate. The species is classified as Vulnerable as increasing agriculture affects its preferred vegetation types, but it is hardly protected by the small parks and reserves of the region.
References
De Graaff G., Rautenbach I.L. (1983). A survey of mammals in the newly proclaimed Karoo National Park, South Africa. Ann Mus Roy Afr Cent: 237, 89-99.
Kingdon J. (1997). The Kingdon field guide to African Mammals. Academic Press, London and New York: Natural World.
Mills G., Hes L. (1997). The complete book of Southern African mammals. Struik Publishers.
Nicoll M.E., Rathbun G.B. (Eds) (1990). African Insectivora and Elephant-Shrews. An Action Plan for their Conservation. IUCN/SSC Insectivore, Tree-Shrew and Elephant Shrew Specialist Group.
Skinner J.D., Smithers R.H.N. (1990). The mammals of the Southern African subregion. University of Pretoria, Pretoria.
Wilson D.E., Reeder D.M. (Eds) (1993). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Second edition. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington D.C.