Cryptostephanus vansonii

On Gorongosa, there is a threat from forest loss particularly at lower altitudes. Changes in forest extent between 1972 and 2008 were mapped by F. Steinbruch (see Müller et al. 2012, figure 19) and significant losses were recorded, particularly on the western side of the mountain. Forest is cleared for small-scale farming, using burning to help clear the natural vegetation. This loss has continued at an increased rate in the past 10 years, with particular problems during the conflict between the government and the Renamo opposition that flared up in 2014. Renamo soldiers used the mountain as their base and in 2015 the government forces mortar-shelled the slopes which destroyed and burned large areas of forest that afterwards have been cleared and used for cultivation (B. Würsten pers. obs.).

However, at its other known locations, this species is not considered to be significantly threatened. In Chimanimani, it occurs within the core area of the Trans-Frontier Conservation Area and the highland forests and woodlands are mainly intact. In Mozambique at Tsetserra and Serra Choa, the forest where it is recorded is not threatened, particularly the areas with rock outcrops. Similarly at Mt Mabu, the habitat is not threatened and the species is considered to secure. In Zimbabwe at Tarka Forest Reserve, there are large extents of pine plantation, but these were planted on previous grassland areas rather than replacing forest, hence the impact on the rocky forested areas is not considered to be high. At Vumba, there is still intact forest habitat particularly within the Botanical Reserve.

No specific conservation measures or management plan are in place for this species. It is recorded from the following protected areas in Mozambique: Chimanimani National Reserve, Gorongosa National Park; and the following protected areas in Zimbabwe: Tarka State Forest, Chimanimani National Park.

This species is known to occur in six ex situ collections worldwide (BGCI 2019).