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The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ ISSN 2307-8235 (online) IUCN 2008: T3326A43710964 Bunolagus monticularis, Riverine Rabbit Assessment by: South African Mammal CAMP Workshop View on www.iucnredlist.org Citation: South African Mammal CAMP Workshop. 2013. Bunolagus monticularis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013: e.T3326A43710964. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.20131.RLTS.T3326A43710964.en Copyright: © 2015 International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Reproduction of this publication for educational or other non-commercial purposes is authorized without prior written permission from the copyright holder provided the source is fully acknowledged. Reproduction of this publication for resale, reposting or other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior written permission from the copyright holder. For further details see Terms of Use. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is produced and managed by the IUCN Global Species Programme, the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and The IUCN Red List Partnership. The IUCN Red List Partners are: BirdLife International; Botanic Gardens Conservation International; Conservation International; Microsoft; NatureServe; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Sapienza University of Rome; Texas A&M University; Wildscreen; and Zoological Society of London. If you see any errors or have any questions or suggestions on what is shown in this document, please provide us with feedback so that we can correct or extend the information provided. THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™ Taxonomy Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Animalia Chordata Mammalia Lagomorpha Leporidae Taxon Name: Bunolagus monticularis (Thomas, 1903) Synonym(s): • Lepus monticularis Common Name(s): • English: Riverine Rabbit, Bushman Hare, Bushman Rabbit Taxonomic Notes: Generic synonym Lepus. Assessment Information Red List Category & Criteria: Critically Endangered C2a(i) ver 3.1 Year Published: 2013 Date Assessed: July 2, 2008 Justification: No subpopulation is estimated to contain more than 50 individuals, and these subpopulations appear to be isolated due to anthropogenic barriers to dispersal. Quantitative analysis using VORTEX 3.1 showed that the probability of extinction in the wild was more than 50% within the next 100 years. (see Erratum below). Erratum: Since this assessment was published in 2008, it has been confirmed that the quantitative analysis for this species considered only part of the global population. Since this analysis did not consider the entire global population for this species, it does not support the use of criterion E for this assessment. Therefore criterion E has now been removed from this assessment. Previously Published Red List Assessments 2008 – Critically Endangered (CR) 2003 – Critically Endangered (CR) 1996 – Endangered (EN) 1994 – Endangered (E) 1990 – Endangered (E) 1988 – Endangered (E) © The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Bunolagus monticularis – published in 2013. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T3326A43710964.en 1 1986 – Endangered (E) Geographic Range Range Description: This species is endemic to the central Karoo region of South Africa. The extent of occurrence is 1015,000 km² and area of occupancy is 11-500 km². Country Occurrence: Native: South Africa (Northern Cape Province, Western Cape) © The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Bunolagus monticularis – published in 2013. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T3326A43710964.en 2 Distribution Map © The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Bunolagus monticularis – published in 2013. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T3326A43710964.en 3 Population Ref: (Collins et al. 2004). There are less than 90% of mature individuals in one subpopulation. There are 10 subpopulations. There has been a rapid decline of population due to loss of 50-60% of habitat in the past 70 years, this decline has been arrested due to a decrease in cultivation and public awareness and establishment of conservancies. The current population is estimated at less than 250 breeding pairs and is declining. It is estimated that over the last 70 years the population has declined by 60% or more. Population decline of 10% or more is predicted to occur between 2002 and 2022. The population is fragmented, with no subpopulation containing more than 50 individuals. Population densities were estimated at 0.064-0.166/ha (Duthie et al. 1989). Current Population Trend: Decreasing Habitat and Ecology (see Appendix for additional information) The Riverine Rabbit inhabits dense riparian growth along the seasonal rivers in the central Karoo (NamaKaroo - shrubland). Occurs specifically in riverine vegetation on alluvial soils adjacent to seasonal rivers. The habitat is highly fragmented and transformed. Studies show the habitat to be 67% fragmented in certain areas that can be considered representative of the entire distribution. STATE OF HABITAT: Fragmented. CHANGE IN HABITAT SIZE: Decreasing in area. RECENT CHANGE: 51%-80%. DURING HOW MANY YEARS? 100. PREDICTED DECLINE IN HABITAT <20%. PREDICTED DURATION OF DECLINE: 100. PRIMARY CAUSE OF CHANGE: Cultivation and livestock farming. CHANGES IN QUALITY: Decrease in quality. NOTES ON QUALITY: livestock and cultivation. HABITAT NOTES: Habitat not being minimally transformed at present. subpopulations isolated from each other by jackal-proof fencing and severe land transformation through agricultural practices. Generation length for this species is two years (Collins et al. 2004). This species has a single litter per year with 1-2 young per litter (Duthie 1989). Reproductive periodicity occurs from August through May (Duthie and Robinson 1990). Gestation time is 35-36 days (Duthie 1989). Longevity in captivity is five years (Collins et al. 2003). Home range is 12 ha (Duthie 1989). Total length ranges from 33.7-47.0 cm (Nowak 1991). Systems: Terrestrial Threats (see Appendix for additional information) Loss and degradation of habitat are the main threats to the species. Over the last century, 50-80% of habitat has been lost as a result of cultivation (mostly in the past) and livestock farming (ongoing). Other threats to the species include hunting (the rabbit is hunted for sport and by farm workers), and accidental mortality in traps set for pest animals on farmlands. Conservation Actions (see Appendix for additional information) © The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Bunolagus monticularis – published in 2013. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T3326A43710964.en 4 Bunolagus monticularis is listed as Endangered in the 1986 South African National Red Data Book, and there is a genetic study of the species underway. At the CBSG CAMP South Africa workshop, conservation actions recommended included further research into the life history of this species, management of habitat, wild population management, limiting factors, captive breeding/cultivation, and increased public awareness. The captive breeding/cultivation recommendations include plans for species recovery, education, reintroduction, research, and a management plan workshop. There is currently a coordinated species management program in South Africa. Credits Assessor(s): South African Mammal CAMP Workshop Reviewer(s): Smith, A.T. & Johnston, C. © The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Bunolagus monticularis – published in 2013. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T3326A43710964.en 5 Bibliography Collins, K., Ahlmann, V., Matthee, C., Taylor, P. J., Keith, M. and van Jaarsveld, A., 2003. Bunolagus monticularis. Available at: www.redlist.org. Collins, K., Ahlman, V., Matthee, C., Taylor, P., Keith, M., Palmer, G. and van Jaarsveld, A. 2004. Bunolagus monticularis. In: Y. Friedman and B. Daly (eds), Red Data Book of the Mammals of South Africa: A Conservation Assessment, pp. 412-413. CBSG Southern Africa, Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (SSC/IUCN), Endangered Wildlife Trust. Duthie, A. G. 1989. The ecology of the riverine rabbit (Bunolagus monticularis). Thesis, University of Pretoria. Duthie, A. G. and Robinson, T. J. 1990. Chapter 8: The African Rabbits. In: J. A. Chapman and J. E. C. Flux (eds), Rabbits, Hares and Pikas: Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan, pp. 121-127. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland. Duthie, A. G., Skinner, J. D. and Robinson, T. J. 1989. The distribution and status of the Riverine Rabbit, Bunolagus monticularis, South Africa. Biological Conservation 47: 195-202. IUCN. 2008. 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Available at: http://www.iucnredlist.org. (Accessed: 5 October 2008). IUCN. 2013. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (ver. 2013.1). Available at: http://www.iucnredlist.org. (Accessed: 12 June 2013). Nowak, R.M. 1991. Walker's Mammals of the World. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, USA and London, UK. Citation South African Mammal CAMP Workshop. 2013. Bunolagus monticularis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013: e.T3326A43710964. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.20131.RLTS.T3326A43710964.en Disclaimer To make use of this information, please check the Terms of Use. External Resources For Images and External Links to Additional Information, please see the Red List website. © The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Bunolagus monticularis – published in 2013. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T3326A43710964.en 6 Appendix Habitats (http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes) Habitat Season Suitability Major Importance? 3. Shrubland -> 3.5. Shrubland - Subtropical/Tropical Dry - Suitable - 8. Desert -> 8.1. Desert - Hot - Suitable - Use and Trade (http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes) End Use Local National International Food - human Yes No No Sport hunting/specimen collecting Yes No No Threats (http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes) Threat Timing Scope Severity Impact Score 2. Agriculture & aquaculture -> 2.1. Annual & perennial non-timber crops -> 2.1.4. Scale Unknown/Unrecorded Ongoing - - - Stresses: 1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.1. Ecosystem conversion 1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation Ongoing - Stresses: 1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.1. Ecosystem conversion 1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation Ongoing - Stresses: 2. Species Stresses -> 2.1. Species mortality Ongoing - Stresses: 2. Species Stresses -> 2.1. Species mortality 2. Agriculture & aquaculture -> 2.3. Livestock farming & ranching -> 2.3.4. Scale Unknown/Unrecorded 5. Biological resource use -> 5.1. Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals -> 5.1.1. Intentional use (species is the target) 5. Biological resource use -> 5.1. Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals -> 5.1.2. Unintentional effects (species is not the target) - - - - - - Conservation Actions Needed (http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes) © The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Bunolagus monticularis – published in 2013. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T3326A43710964.en 7 Conservation Actions Needed 2. Land/water management -> 2.1. Site/area management 3. Species management -> 3.2. Species recovery 3. Species management -> 3.4. Ex-situ conservation -> 3.4.1. Captive breeding/artificial propagation 4. Education & awareness -> 4.3. Awareness & communications Research Needed (http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes) Research Needed 1. Research -> 1.3. Life history & ecology 2. Conservation Planning -> 2.1. Species Action/Recovery Plan Additional Data Fields Distribution Estimated area of occupancy (AOO) (km²): 11-500 Estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) (km²): 101-5000 Population Population severely fragmented: No © The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Bunolagus monticularis – published in 2013. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T3326A43710964.en 8 The IUCN Red List Partnership The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is produced and managed by the IUCN Global Species Programme, the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and The IUCN Red List Partnership. The IUCN Red List Partners are: BirdLife International; Botanic Gardens Conservation International; Conservation International; Microsoft; NatureServe; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Sapienza University of Rome; Texas A&M University; Wildscreen; and Zoological Society of London. THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™