Cryptomys spp. – Common Mole-rats The genus Cryptomys shows the broadest geographical distribution of all African Mole-rats, and the various patterns of speciation within this genus are expected to have resulted from environmental changes during the Miocene (Faulkes et al. 2004). Taxonomy Cryptomys hottentotus (Lesson, 1826) C. h. hottentotus Elizabeth Archer Cryptomys mahali (Roberts, 1931) Regional Red List status (2016) Cryptomys natalensis (Roberts, 1931) Cryptomys hottentotus Least Concern Cryptomys pretoriae (Roberts, 1913) Cryptomys mahali Data Deficient* ANIMALIA - CHORDATA - MAMMALIA - RODENTIA - BATHYERGIDAE - Cryptomys Cryptomys natalensis Least Concern Synonyms: Cryptomys hottentotus: abberans, albus, Cryptomys pretoriae Least Concern bigalkei, caecutiens, cradockensis, exenticus, National Red List status (2004) holosericius, jamesoni, jolangi, kopmotiensis, langi, lugwigii, melanoticus, montanus, nemo, orangiae, rufulus, Cryptomys hottentotus Least Concern stellatus, talpoides, transvaalensis, valschensis, vandami, Cryptomys mahali Not Evaluated vrybergensis, zimibitiensis; Cryptomys mahali: amatus; Cryptomys natalensis: zuluensis Cryptomys natalensis Not Evaluated Common names: All species: Common Mole-rat, African Cryptomys pretoriae Not Evaluated Mole-rat, Common Blesmol, Mole-rat (English), Vaalmol, Reasons for change Grysmol (Afrikaans); Cryptomys hottentotus: Hottentot Mole-rat (English); Cryptomys mahali: Mahali’s Mole-rat Cryptomys hottentotus No change (English); Cryptomys natalensis: Natal Mole-rat; Cryptomys Cryptomys mahali Species split pretoriae: Highveld Mole-rat (English) Cryptomys natalensis Species split Taxonomic status: Species Cryptomys pretoriae Species split Taxonomic notes: The genus Cryptomys previously included all species now listed under the genus Fukomys Global Red List status (2008) (Monadjem et al. 2015). These two genera cannot be Cryptomys hottentotus Least Concern distinguished morphologically from one another, but are considered highly divergent from one another on a Cryptomys mahali Not Evaluated molecular level (Faulkes et al. 2004). Monadjem et al. Cryptomys natalensis Not Evaluated (2015) lists five species belonging to the Cryptomys genus, with four of these considered endemic to the Cryptomys pretoriae Not Evaluated assessment region (Bennett 2013): TOPS listing (NEMBA) None 1. Common Mole-rat, C. hottentotus (tentatively Northern CITES listing None Cape, Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Free State provinces). Endemic 2. Natal Mole-rat, C. natalensis (tentatively KwaZulu- Cryptomys hottentotus Yes Natal, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga and Limpopo Cryptomys mahali Yes provinces; Swaziland and Lesotho). Cryptomys natalensis Near endemic 3. Mahali’s Mole-rat, C. mahali (tentatively Gauteng with recent reports suggesting its extension into the Cryptomys pretoriae Yes Northern Cape and North-West provinces). *Watch-list Data 4. Highveld Mole-rat, C. pretoriae (tentatively Gauteng, North West Province, possibly extending to the Limpopo River). Recommended citation: Bennett N 2016. A conservation assessment of Cryptomys spp. In Child MF, Roxburgh L, Do Linh San E, Raimondo D, Davies-Mostert HT, editors. The Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. South African National Biodiversity Institute and Endangered Wildlife Trust, South Africa. The Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland Cryptomys spp. | 1 Figure 1. Distribution records for Cryptomys spp. within the assessment region 5. The Matabeleland Mole-rat, C. nimrodi is not included Regional population effects: Due to disjunctions in the in this assessment because it is considered a vagrant distribution, dispersal is impossible for C. hottentotus and in South Africa. The southern limit of the species C. pretoriae, and dispersal of C. mahali and C. natalensis range is the Limpopo River and extends northwards to is currently unknown. Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, but the eastern limit of its range is yet to be determined. Distribution These five species were previously grouped under a The Common Mole-rat, C. hottentotus, occurs throughout single species C. hottentotus, but were found to reveal the Western Cape from the south-western limits of Cape significant molecular differences worthy of reclassification Town to the Gariep River, extending eastwards beyond (Faulkes et al. 2004). In general, they are considered Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape, and northwards into allopatric, however the specific limits of each range are yet the Free State and the Northern Cape (Figure 1). It is to be defined (Monadjem et al. 2015). These species can expected to be the only Cryptomys species within its currently only be distinguished from each other through range; however, the exact northern and eastern limits of its molecular evidence. distribution remain undefined, due to confusion with other species in this genus (Monadjem et al. 2015). Assessment Rationale Mahali’s Mole-rat, C. mahali, is known from Patryshoek, The Common Mole-rat, C. hottentotus, Natal Mole-rat, C. Gauteng (Monadjem et al. 2015) (Figure 1), but this natalensis, and the Highveld Mole-rat, C. pretoriae, are species has also been recently identified in Van Zyls Rus listed as Least Concern because they are widely (Northern Cape) and Bloemhof (North West Province) distributed throughout the assessment region, are (N.C. Bennett unpubl. data). Further research is required reasonably common and adapt well to habitats modified in order to establish the precise limits of the species’ by humans, such as agricultural areas and rural gardens. range. Currently, there are no major recognised threats that The Natal Mole-rat, C. natalensis, is present throughout could result in significant population decline. Mahali’s KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Lesotho and Swaziland. Its Mole-rat, Cryptomys mahali, is listed as Data Deficient, as range extends into the Kruger National Park and extreme the extent of its range is extremely vague, with confirmed southern regions of Mozambique. Cryptomys natalensis records in Pretoria (northern Gauteng), and recent records may overlap in its range with C. pretoriae in Swaziland. in the Northern Cape and the North-West Province. For all The precise boundaries of its range are unresolved, and it species, ongoing molecular research and vetting of is possible the point localities (Figure 1) in the museum specimens is needed to delimit distribution northeastern regions of South Africa (northern Kruger ranges more accurately. Cryptomys spp. | 2 The Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland Table 1. Countries of occurrence within southern Africa Population Country Presence Origin The population size of this genus is largely unknown. Botswana However, it is widespread and abundant across the assessment region. Presumably the population is limited C. hottentotus Absent - by soil requirements. In prime habitats the population C. mahali Absent - density of C. hottentotus is known to surpass C. natalensis Absent - 150 individuals / km² (A.C. Spinks, J.U.M. Jarvis & N.C. Bennett unpubl. data). C. pretoriae Absent - On a species level, information regarding the population Lesotho status is limited and no density estimates are currently C. hottentotus Absent - available for C. mahali, C. natalensis and C. pretoriae. The populations are not predicted to be declining, due to their C. mahali Absent - broad distribution and their ability to survive successfully C. natalensis Extant Native within transformed habitats. C. pretoriae Absent - Current population trend: Stable Mozambique Continuing decline in mature individuals: Unknown C. hottentotus Absent - Number of mature individuals in population: Unknown C. mahali Absent - Number of mature individuals in largest subpopulation: C. natalensis Extant Native Unknown C. pretoriae Absent - Number of subpopulations: Unknownn Namibia Severely fragmented: No C. hottentotus Absent - C. mahali Absent - Habitats and Ecology C. natalensis Absent - Generally, the subterranean Cryptomys spp. occur across C. pretoriae Absent - a wide range of soil types from fine to medium grained South Africa clays and loams. They are often located within human- modified environments, such as lawns, golf courses and C. hottentotus Extant Native gardens (particularly in the presence of vegetable C. mahali Extant Native gardens). They specialise on bulbs, corms and tubers, especially those of Albuca, Lachenalia, Ornithogalum C. natalensis Extant Native (Hyacinthaceae), Romulea, Micranthus, Homeria C. pretoriae Extant Native (Iridaceae) and Oxalis (Oxalidaceae) (Bennett 2013). Swaziland The Common Mole-rat, Cryptomys hottentotus, is social C. hottentotus Absent - and forms colonies of approximately five individuals, but a maximum of fourteen individuals have been identified. C. mahali Absent - Colonies consist of a single breeding pair, which C. natalensis Extant Native produces litters of between two and six young, with a generation time of roughly three years. Captured C. pretoriae Presence uncertain Native specimens reveal significant colour variations, including: Zimbabwe dark sable-brown, light fawny-rufous, and smokey-grey C. hottentotus Absent - (Power 2014). As yet, there is no evidence of sympatry with the F. damarensis, though it is possible (Power 2014). C. mahali Absent - Mahali’s Mole-rat, C. mahali, is found in more arid habitats C. natalensis Extant Native when compared to C. pretoriae, and is typically located in C. pretoriae Absent - clays and sandy soils in scrubland habitats. National Park) may belong