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Scientific Name | Conophytum chauviniae (Schwantes) S.A.Hammer |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | AIZOACEAE |
Synonyms | Mesembryanthemum augeiforme Schwantes, Mesembryanthemum chauviniae Schwantes |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered A3c+4d; B1ab(v)+2ab(v) |
Assessment Date | 2021/11/22 |
Assessor(s) | A.J. Young, P.G. Desmet, I. Ebrahim, D. Guo, A. Harrower, L. Jabar, L. Knoetze, C. Rodgerson, P.C.V. Van Wyk & N.N. Mhlongo |
Justification | This succulent is endemic to the Western and Northern Cape provinces of South Africa with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 377 km2 and area of occupancy (AOO) of 48 km2. It is known from between five and eight locations. The population is experiencing initial levels of decline due to the illegal ornamental succulent plant trade, with collection likely to increase as there has been a dramatic increase in the number of species and volume of Conophytum plants targeted since 2019. While the continued threat of illegal collection is regarded as very high the dispersal of the plants across several locations and subpopulations may limit future decline to 75% of the population within the next three generations (90 years).
Species within the genus Conophytum are susceptible to climate change, with models predicting a 72% loss of suitable bioclimatic habitat by 2080 for this species under likely emission scenario RCP 2.6. It therefore qualifies as Endangered under criteria A3+4 and B1+2. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Northern Cape, Western Cape |
Range | This species is endemic to South Africa where it is found in both the Western and Northern Cape provinces. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Namaqualand Heuweltjieveld, Namaqualand Klipkoppe Shrubland |
Description | This species is endemic to the Succulent Karoo biome, where it is found in the Knersvlakte and Namaqualand Hardeveld Bioregions. The plants can be found growing in full sun as well as partial or fully shaded position, often in the cracks and crevices of quartz, granite or gneiss. In some subpopulations the plants are locally very abundant, but the area occupied in each subpopulation is generally quite restricted. This species can form very large clusters in habitat. This species has a generation length of 30 years. It is expected to be sensitive to the impacts of climate change as it does not disperse and while adapted to arid conditions, is dependent on limited seasonal rainfall. Species in the genus are sensitive to long periods of drought. Drought related mortality has been observed for other closely related taxa within the genus. |
Threats |
| This species is currently threatened by illegal collection for the international trade in ornamental succulents. Illegal collection is likely to increase in future as there has been a dramatic increase in the number of species and volume of plants targeted since 2019. This species has been sought after by collectors and is highly likely to remain so in future.
Anthropogenic climate change is a long-term threat to this species. While it is not possible to model the response of this species to climate change due to its restricted distribution, the average loss to climate change for 15 more widely distributed Conophytum species occurring within the same region is used as an indication of likely impact to this species. Climate models for the likely emission scenarios where emissions stay at present day levels (RCP 2.6) (Hausfather and Peters 2020) and worst case scenarios where emissions continue to increase during the 21st century (RCP 8.5) indicate that there will be a loss of suitable bioclimatic envelope of between 72% and 99% by 2080 for Conophytum taxa within the region. Species in this genus have limited dispersal ability and migration to suitable habitats elsewhere is regarded as highly unlikely. |
Population |
There is no formal estimate of the number of mature individuals of this species in the wild. There are several known subpopulations where the plants are often locally abundant. Overall, several thousand plants are thought to be present within the species' geographic range. The population is declining due to illegal collection for the ornamental succulent plant trade.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Conophytum chauviniae (Schwantes) S.A.Hammer | Rare | 2017.1 | | Conophytum chauviniae (Schwantes) S.A.Hammer | Least Concern | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
Hammer, S. 2002. Dumpling and his wife: New view of the genus Conophytum. EAE Creative Colour, Norwich.
Hammer, S.A. 1993. The genus Conophytum: A conograph. Succulent Plant Publications, Pretoria.
Hausfather, Z. and Peters, G.P. 2020. Emissions - the 'business as usual' story is misleading. Nature 577(618-620).
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Citation |
| Young, A.J., Desmet, P.G., Ebrahim, I., Guo, D., Harrower, A., Jabar, L., Knoetze, L., Rodgerson, C., Van Wyk, P.C.V. & Mhlongo, N.N. 2021. Conophytum chauviniae (Schwantes) S.A.Hammer. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/12/06 |
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