Increasing human populations have resulted in the extensive conversion of natural forests and range lands into agricultural lands, resulting in an expansion of the interface between people and elephants across the elephant range countries of Asia and Africa. This interface describes the nature of two-way interactions between people and elephants, which can be positive and reverential or hostile and negative. Elephant crop-raiding, one of the most negative interactions for people at the interface, is not only the result of decreased food resources and space, but has also been attributed to a preference for cultivated crops and to damage caused during elephant movements between habitats. The aim of this thesis was an attempt to understand the use of coffee agroforestry areas by elephant populations in a South Indian district, Kodagu, and to assess the risks to elephants and people of coffee plantations. Geographically, located at a significant position in the Western Ghats, Kodagu district is a part of one of the largest wild Asian elephant ranges harbouring India’s largest elephant population. Kodagu has a unique topography and coffee agroforestry system in considered as the boon for conservation. This thesis is the first long term (one year) study on the elephant populations using coffee estates in Kodagu. Crop-raiding events across Kodagu and their intensity of occurrence were determined from the Forest Department compensation records. Virjapet taluk was one of the three administrative units of Kodagu with frequent incidences of crop-raiding, including elephant mortality and human deaths. High rates of crop-damage in Virajpet included both coffee and paddy rice produce as the land is conducive for the cultivation of both. To understand the use of coffee estates by elephants, coffee estates in Virjapet were directly and indirectly monitored for the presence of elephants using dung sampling (N=202), camera trapping, video and photo documentation, as well as sightings (N=408) and reports by local workers, in order to identify the individuals or groups of elephants frequenting these coffee estates. Lone male and all male groups used coffee estates most frequently and family herds ranging in group size from 2 to 10 were present mainly during the peak season of coffee ripening (post monsoon). Presence of large numbers of elephants, especially with large female groups, was associated with crop-damage during the months of December-January. As seasonal movements of elephants in Kodagu districts are still not known, it is unclear why the number of elephants in coffee estates post-monsoon increases when food availability should also be higher in forests. These large coffee estates were used as refuge areas by elephants during the day by all individuals and groups, and feeding on estates occurred during the night to early morning hours. Dung analysis and observations suggested that coffee estates were attractive for elephants due to the constant availability of water (for irrigation), green fodder, and cultivated fruit trees, especially jackfruit. Coffee plants were damaged both due to consumption (47% of dung samples in this study) and accidental damage during elephant movements within the estates. Although the dung sampling could not confirm whether coffee had become a novel food resource, the presence of large number of elephants during the coffee ripening season suggested that the potential for coffee berries to be added regularly to the diet in the future, with potential consequences for coffee invasion of native forests through dung seed dispersal. People working on large coffee estates were accustomed to the presence of elephants and were generally knowledgeable of the areas that elephants frequented, thus avoiding fatal encounters. However, safety of farmers and other people working on the estates remains a major concern, especially for large coffee estates owners. The constant interaction between elephants and people also led to more negative perceptions of elephants, and reduced the tolerance of elephants in the area. The unique topography of Kodagu as a mosaic of forests and farms challenges the number of possible mitigation methods to prevent negative encounters between people and elephant. The elephants of Kodagu may have adapted behaviourally to the presence of people, but long-term monitoring of the elephant population is important to understand their ecological and social adaptations to the various costs and benefits of using this agroforestry landscape. Suggestions for management of the elephant-human interface and mitigation of negative attitudes and actions were made, through a model that incorporates a multiple stakeholder (including elephants) action plan.

A Research Report submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. Johannesburg, 25 May 2015. / The African elephant, Loxodonta africana displays sexual segregation, a phenomenon which describes males and females of the same species living separately, except during the mating season. Despite it occurring in many sexually dimorphic species, the factors that govern sexual segregation are still poorly understood. The aim of my study was to investigate whether or not African elephants in the 1825 km2 Associated Private Nature Reserves (APNR), Limpopo Province were sexually segregated as a result of habitat segregation. I tested the Forage Selection Hypothesis (FSH) which, based on the Jarman-Bell principle, predicts that smaller females are more selective foragers as a result of their high energy demands and poor digestive capabilities in comparison to the larger males. Using the GPS location data of 18 collared adult elephants (12 male and 6 female) from November 2008 to November 2010, I plotted both the total (95% isopleth) and core (50% isopleth) home ranges of individual elephants. I used these home ranges to i) confirm sexual segregation in the APNR, ii) determine whether or not there was a difference in vegetation composition of the home ranges between males and females, and iii) to establish how frequently male and female elephants were associated with each of the vegetation types located within their home ranges. All analyses were done at both the total and core home range level. Home range overlaps were rare between male and female home ranges, particularly at the core home range level, confirming sexual segregation of elephants in the APNR. The vegetation composition data of the home ranges as well as the frequency of association by elephants with each of the available vegetation types (using GPS locations) revealed no significant difference between male and female elephants. Therefore, habitat segregation did not explain sexual segregation by elephants in the APNR. I propose that future studies should consider: i) temporal distribution of elephants to assess how much time each sex spends in each of the available vegetation types; ii) other resources, particularly the availability of water, in addition to the availability of forage, since water limits elephant movements; and iii) social segregation in conjunction with habitat segregation, since elephants display sex-specific differences in social organisation. A comprehensive understanding of the factors that govern sexual segregation of elephants might contribute to conservation management of elephants in the APNR and other small reserves.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. Johannesburg, May 2014. / Conservation has led to African elephants (Loxodonta africana) being reintroduced to small game reserves. However, only a few studies have been done on how elephants react to their new environment after a translocation. Dinokeng Game Reserve introduced a herd of 10 elephants (Loxodonta Africana) in October 2011. Using Global Positioning System collar locations of one female elephant, I aimed to determine whether an elephant’s exploration resulted in an expansion of its home range as the elephant settled in its new environment. Secondly, I aimed to determine how the use of resources and conditions in an elephant’s environment changed from release to the end of the study period. To achieve my first objective, I calculated the elephant’s daily distance movement distances and home ranges over 16-day and seasonal periods. I used logistic regression to assess the habitat selection of the elephant over the study period. The results of the research demonstrated that the elephant slowly explored its new environment, which resulted in an expansion of its home range over time. However, it took almost two years before the elephant displayed signs of settling in its home range. The elephant used habitats further away from buildings, closer to fence boundaries and water sources, with low elevation and high greenness at the start of the study. Over time, the elephant’s habitat selection was no longer constrained by buildings and it demonstrated stronger evidence of using habitats with lower elevation towards the end of the study period. The findings suggest that elephants do not necessarily explore extensively before finding an area to remain in, and it may take longer than a year for them to settle. Furthermore, human settlements seem to limit elephant’s habitat selection a translocation, but this influence decreases as the elephant settles in its new environment.

L’eau et le fourrage sont deux ressources non substituables pour les herbivores dans les écosystèmes arides et semi-arides. La distribution spatiale de l’eau de surface détermine la distribution et l’abondance des espèces dépendantes de l’eau. Cependant les processus impliqués à l’échelle individuelle demeurent méconnus. Treize groupes familiaux d’éléphants d’Afrique (Loxodonta africana) et dix mâles ont été équipé de colliers GPS dans le parc National de Hwange, au Zimbabwe, et à sa périphérie. Les éléphants fourragent autour de multiples points centraux : ils visitent un point d’eau périodiquement toutes les 5h, 24h, 48h ou 72h et s’éloignent plus de l’eau lorsque ils font des trajets de plus longue durée. Pendant la saison sèche, la température augmente et les ressources fourragères s’épuisent à proximité de l’eau. Les groupes familiaux d’éléphants visitent les points d’eau plus souvent en augmentant la fréquence des trajets courts et en abandonnant les trajets de 72h. Cependant, ils parviennent à se rendre plus loin de l’eau pendant les trajets de 24h en augmentant la vitesse de déplacement. Ainsi les patrons de déplacement révèlent que les capacités de locomotion et de navigation des éléphants sont au cœur de leur stratégie d’adaptation à la saison sèche. Malgré cela, ces capacités sont rarement incluses dans les modèles d’approvisionnement dans des environnements hétérogènes. Pendant ces trajets, les groupes familiaux sélectionnent les zones de faible densité de points d’eau à des échelles multiples. La force de la sélection pour ces zones de faible densité augmente avec la longueur du trajet et au cours de la saison. Malgré le fait que l’importance des échelles spatiales soit bien établie dans la littérature, les contraintes associées à l’utilisation de multiples points centraux distribués de manière hétérogène dans le paysage ont été négligé alors que cette distribution détermine le degré d’épuisement des ressources fourragères et les rétroactions sur la sélection de l’habitat. J’ai aussi montré que la faune sauvage évite fortement le bétail et les humains qui les conduisent en périphérie d’une zone protégée pendant la saison des pluies. Cependant cet évitement décline au cours de la saison sèche en raison de l’assèchement des points d’eau et de la raréfaction des ressources fourragères. Les éléphants sont de plus en plus contraints par la distribution de l’eau de surface en saison sèche en raison de l’augmentation de leur besoins en eau tandis qu’ils tentent de maintenir leur approvisionnement en fourrage. Cette étude donne une évaluation quantitative de la contrainte en eau à l’échelle individuelle ainsi que les effets de la distribution en eau dans le paysage sur un grand herbivore. Ces résultats peuvent guider les politiques de gestion de l’eau dans un contexte d’aridification dû au changement climatique. / Water and forage are key non-substitutable resources for herbivores in arid and semi-arid ecosystems. The distribution of surface water determines the distribution and abundance of water dependent animal species yet little is known about the processes involved at the individual level. Thirteen African savanna elephant family groups and ten bulls (Loxodonta Africana) were tracked with GPS collars within and on the outskirts of Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. Elephants behave as multiple central place foragers: They visit waterholes periodically every 5h, 24h, 48h or 72h and travel further from water during longer trips. During the dry season, temperatures increase and forage becomes depleted closer to water. Elephant family groups visit waterholes more often by increasing the proportion of briefer trips and abandoning 72h trips. However, they forage further during 24h trips by increasing travelling speed. Elephant movement patterns revealed locomotional and navigational abilities are at the core of their coping strategies although they are seldom allowed to vary in most foraging models of animal's use of heterogeneously distributed resources. During these foraging trips, family herds select for areas with low waterhole density at multiple scales. Selection strength for low density areas increases with both distance to water and the advancement of the dry season. Although scaling effects are widely recognized, the effects of the spatial distribution of multiple central places constraining foraging have been ignored yet they determine depletion effects and their feedbacks on habitat selection. I also showed that wildlife strongly avoid livestock and people that herd them at the boundary of a protected area during the rainy season yet avoidance decreases during the dry season when foraging and drinking resources become scares. Elephants are increasingly constrained by surface water availability during the dry season as their drinking requirements increase while they strive to main their forage intake. This study provides quantitative assessment of individual water dependence and of landscape effects of surface water distribution on a large herbivore. These findings can inform surface water management in contexts of aridification resulting from climate change.

Pup mortality of southern elephant seals at Marion Island from 1990 through 1999 ranged from 1.6 to 7.3%, averaging 3.8%. Pup mortality was density independent and dismissed as being a major population regulating agent at Marion Island. Juvenile survival over two periods, one during the population decline and the other after the population had stabilised, was assessed and compared using mark-recapture models. Survival was age- but not sex-related and on average, the probability of survival was 59.5%,81.4% and 78.1% for the first, second and third year respectively. There was no significant difference in survival over the two periods and juvenile survival does not appear to be an important population regulating component in the southern elephant seal population. Mark-recapture data for females from the Marion Island population since the population stabilisation (1994) was analysed and compared with similar data collected during the decline and with data collected from the increasing population in southern Argentina. Survival of prime-age adult females increased by 8% concurrent with the stabilisation at Marion Island, which ultimately compensated for an annual rate of decline of the population of 5.85% until 1994. Survival of adult females at the colony in southern Argentina was 6% greater than at Marion Island after the stabilisation. Adult female survival is concluded to predominantly regulate the population. Changes in adult female survival and breeding probabilities with age were quantified in order to measure the prevalence of senescence in the population. Less than a 1 % difference between prime-age and post prime-age survival was found over eight cohorts of marked females and no evidence of reproductive senescence in terms of reduced breeding probability with age was detected. Five percent of southern elephant seal females survived to age ten and 0.5 % to the age of seventeen. Pubescent male survival increased concordant with the population stabilisation. These animals have high energetic demands due to a secondary growth spurt during which growth is accelerated and this increase lends support to the hypothesis that food has been limiting the population at Marion Island. Future survival and breeding probabilities of females primiparous at different ages were estimated in order to investigate potential future fitness costs associated with early breeding. Annual future survival of females breeding at age three was the same as that for females primiparous at four and slightly higher than that for females primiparous at five and six. Future breeding probabilities of females primiparous at three were similar to that for females primiparous at four and older. I found no evidence for future fitness costs incurred through reproductive expenditure and conclude that age of primiparity IS determined by acquisition of a critical body mass, after which no future delay in reproduction takes place. I estimated future survival and capture probabilities of southern elephant seals that winter at Marion Island during their first three years and compared these values to similar estimates from individuals that were not observed to winter over the same time periods. There were no significant differences in survival between wintering and non-wintering elephant seals suggesting that survival is not a fitness correlate of wintering behaviour. I provide unique evidence of differential site fidelity within age- and sex classes, which has implications for population modelling. / Thesis (PhD (Zoology))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Zoology and Entomology / unrestricted

The savanna elephant is a flagship species for conservation in Maputaland, a biologically diverse centre of endemism. At present Maputaland’s elephants are fragmented into two sub-populations, those confined to the Tembe Elephant Park (TEP) and those roaming across the Maputo Elephant Reserve (MER) and along the Futi Corridor. Fragmentation may have affected the sub-populations by skewing age and sex ratios, decreasing survival, isolating the sub-populations, and restricting landscape selection. My evaluation of historical population estimates suggest that the size of the elephant populations has been under estimated both before and after the construction of an electrified fence that fragmented the population. The application of a series of mark-recapture models to sight-resight data collected in TEP resulted in a population estimate of 179 (95% CI=136-233). The Bowden’s estimator was the most suitable model under prevailing conditions. My results confirmed that small populations of elephants are difficult to census in closed habitats. Estimates derived from aerial counts significantly under-estimated minimum population size determined from a registration count.Estimates derived from mark-recapture models approach or exceed those from registration counts. Both population fragments are increasing in numbers: TEP’s at 4.6% per year, MEP’s at 3.1% per year. Demographic variables are significantly different, age at first calving is 11.5 years and 9.9 years, and calving interval is 4.2 years and 2.2 years for TEP and MER respectively. Age distribution was similar for females but not for males, as TEP showed a bias for adult males. At the population level bulls in TEP favoured sand forests while breeding herds preferred reedbeds, but these preferences did not prove to be statistically significant. Individual bulls appeared to select for closed woodland landscape type but no statistical significance could be determined. My study highlights the inconsistencies inherent in using historical data to determine population trends. Caution must be used when management decisions are based on such estimates. Sight-resight models are suitable for the enumeration of elephant populations. My results do not support landscape selection in elephants. The differences between population variables for the sub-populations are probably due to age and sex ratios imposed when the population was fragmented and the different levels of protection afforded to the sub-populations. / Thesis (PhD (Zoology))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Zoology and Entomology / unrestricted

The African Elephant is a key component of the savanna ecosystem. They contribute to the generation of habitat for smaller vertebrates, as well as invertebrates, by the breaking of branches or uprooting of trees. Elephants also play a role in seed dispersal, germination and sapling recruitment. All these functions are advantageous to the ecosystem if the elephant population size is acceptable for the size of the reserve and the amount of available forage. The Tembe Elephant Park covers an area of 30 013 ha and is situated in northern KwaZulu Natal. This reserve has a diversity of vegetation types and is part of the Maputaland Centre of Plant Endemism and the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany Hotspot of Biodiversity. Elephant numbers in the park are currently high and the elephant population is still increasing. This is threatening, especially to the endemic Sand Forest communities within the park. The extent of elephant impact in Tembe Elephant Park, South Africa, was investigated and compared to data collected six years prior to the current study. Elephant impact was determined in 44 transects within nine communities across the park. Percentage canopy removal was calculated for the woody individuals found in sites and with this data the targeted size classes and species could be identified. The preferences of elephants for specific woody species were determined by three electivity indices. Elephant utilisation in Tembe Elephant Park, as reflected by percentage canopy removal, increased since 2004 as the elephant population increased. Communities that experienced high values in 2010 of elephant utilisation were the Closed Woodland 1, Mature Sand Forest, Open Woodland 1 and the Closed Woodland 3. Not only did the actual canopy volume removed by elephant increase with approximately 57%, but the total canopy volume available for browsing decreased extensively since 2004. The size classes targeted by the elephants remained approximately the same from 2004 to 2010 although the 2010 results showed that elephant canopy removal percentage increased in the large size classes. This was expected as elephants target individuals with large stem diameters. A change in the selection for woody species by elephants was clear, but the change in species preference made future projections of canopy removal problematic. Elephants seem to utilise a species at extreme levels until the species is almost extirpated, then they move onto the next target species. This routine is evident in the results as highly preferred species in 2004, with high canopy volumes available and removed, had low canopy availability and electivity ratios in 2010, consequently the elephants moved on from these species as individuals became scarce. It was clear that the structure of individuals, populations and communities were being altered, selected species were facing extirpation and composition of communities was changed through the browsing manners of elephants. Management actions should be implemented to prevent irreversible damage to the vegetation and to conserve the woody species currently under threat. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Plant Science / MSc / Unrestricted

The demography of two elephant seal populations was examined and compared. This was done to investigate the reasons for the observed decreases in populations at Marion and Macquarie islands. While a well-established demographic programme had been in place at Marion Island since the 1980's (see Pistorius et al. (l999a) for a review) one had to be established at Macquarie Island. A long-term demographic programme was initiated at Macquarie Island in 1993 and hot brands were used to mark seals. Hot-iron branding was a rapid and reliable method of permanently identifying elephant seals that did not prejudice survival and did not appear to cause undue stress (in the short-term). Neither branding nor handling showed any long-term effects as measured by survival after one year. From the inter-island comparison of survivorship, age at first breeding and wean mass I concluded that the observed decreases in elephant seal numbers between the I 950s and 1990s in the Pacific and Indian Ocean sectors were driven by resource limitation in the Southern Ocean. A conglomerate of factors including local predation by killer whales and intra-specific resource competition was postulated as a cause for the inter-island (regional) differences in population trends. Presently it appears that per capita more resources are available to the Marion Island population than are available to the Macquarie Island population. The vital rates that had the greatest impact (elasticity) on fitness (population growth) for all populations i.e. Marion Island, Macquarie Island and South Georgia, were, in order of importance: (I) juvenile survival, (2) adult survival, (3) adult fecundity and (4) juvenile fecundity. At Marion Island juvenile and adult survival contributed equally to the fitness of the population while at Macquarie Island and at South Georgia Island juvenile survival was more important than adult survival in determining population fitness. The global population of elephant seals in 200 I was estimated at approximately 738 772 which represents an increase of I I % from the last world estimate (664 000). It seems clear from the evidence presented and reviewed here that the present changes in seal populations, unlike the period of direct exploitation in the 19th and 20th centuries, are neither a consequence of direct human interactions nor present-day commercial activities. While the significance of inter-specific competition between elephant seals and other Antarctic predators remain largely unknown or quantified, it would seem prudent that these relationships be studied. This is because resource competitors (toothed whales) have been increasing in number since the cessation of commercial whaling. Even though elephant seals are considered the most studied of all pinnipeds (Ling&Bryden, 1992) much remains to be learnt. Foremost are to gain a clear understanding of the in situ, diet of elephant seals and to assess the role pathogens play in the regulation of seal populations. In addition to these studies it is also important that the current long-term monitoring programmes at Marion and Macquarie islands continue, as they provide valuable base line information on the fate of elephant seal populations. / Thesis (PhD (Zoology))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Zoology and Entomology / unrestricted

The aim of the study was to determine the consequences of elephant (Loxodonta africana) impact on selected nesting sites of avian fauna and other species in the Associated Private Nature Reserves. The study also aimed at answering key questions on how the architecture of trees influence nest site suitability and what landscape features affect nest site location. Furthermore the type of impact that elephants have on specific nesting sites was determined and how this would affect the short term persistence of these trees. The facillitatory role of elephants was examined by looking at the type of impact that produces gum exudants as well as what gum is selected for by primates and whether primary branch breaking may lead to the creation of nesting sites for species such as the southern ground hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri). / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Management)

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The order Macroscelidea has a strict African distribution and consists of two extant subfamilies, Rhynchocyoninae with a single genus that includes three species, and the Macroscelidinae represented by the remaining three genera, Elephantulus that includes 10 species, and the monotypic Macroscelides and Petrodromus. On the basis of molecular, cytogenetic and morphological evidence, Elephantulus edwardii (Cape rock elephant-shrew), the only strictly South African endemic species, was shown to comprise two closely related taxa. A new Elephantulus taxon, described here is reported for the first time. It has a restricted distribution in the central Nama Karoo of South Africa. Apart from important genetic distinctions, Elephantulus sp. nov. has several relatively subtle morphological characters that separate it from E. edwardii. Molecular sequences from the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and the control region of E. edwardii sensu stricto suggests the presence of a northern Namaqua and central Fynbos clade with four evolutionary lineages identified within the latter. The geographic delimitation of the northern and central clades corresponds closely with patterns reported for other rock dwelling vertebrate species indicating a shared biogeographic history for saxicolous taxa in South Africa. Elephantulus rupestris (western rock elephant-shrew) and Macroscelides proboscideus (round-eared elephant-shrew) are two taxa with largely overlapping distributions that span the semi-arid regions of South Africa and Namibia. Based on mitochondrial DNA sequence data E. rupestris has a structured genetic profile associated with a habitat of rocky outcrops compared to M. proboscideus that inhabits gravel plains, where the pattern is one of isolationby– distance. Chromosomal changes, apart from heterochromatic differences, are limited to variation in diploid number among elephant-shrew species. These range from 2n=26 (E. edwardii; E. rupestris; Elephantulus sp. nov.; E. intufi; E. brachyrhynchus and M. proboscideus) to 2n=28 in both Petrodromus tetradactylus and E. rozeti to 2n=30 in E. myurus. Cross-species chromosome painting (Zoo-Fluorescence in situ hybridization or zoo-FISH) of E. edwardii flow-sorted probes that correspond to the five smaller sized autosomes (8-12) and the X chromosome showed no evidence of synteny disruption among Elephantulus sp. nov., E. intufi, E. myurus, P. tetradactylus and M. proboscideus, and reinforced the G-banding observations underscoring the conservative karyotypes in these species. A comprehensive phylogeny including all described elephant-shrew species is presented for the first time. A multigene supermatrix that included 3905 bp from three mitochondrial (12S rRNA, valine tRNA, 16S rRNA) and two nuclear segments (Von Willebrand factor [vWF] and exon 1 of the interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein [IRBP]) was analysed. Cytogenetic characters, previously described morphological, anatomical and dental features as well as allozyme data and penis morphology were evaluated and mapped to the molecular topology. The molecular findings did not support a monophyletic origin for the genus Elephantulus and suggests that both the monotypic Petrodromus and Macroscelides should be included in Elephantulus. Molecular dating suggests that an arid-adapted Macroscelidinae lineage dispersed from east Africa at ~11.5 million years ago via the African arid corridor to southwestern Africa. Subsequent speciation events within the Macroscelidinae are coincidental with three major periods of aridification of the African continent. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die orde Macroscelidea het ’n verspreiding beperk tot Afrika en sluit twee bestaande subfamilies in, die Rhynchocyoninae wat drie spesies binne ’n enkele genus insluit en die Macroscelidinae verteenwoordig deur drie genera, Elephantulus (10 spesies) en die monotipiese Macroscelides en Petrodromus. Gebaseer op molekulêre, sitogenetiese en morfologiese bewyse, bestaan E. edwardii, tot op datum die enigste streng endemiese Suid- Afrikaanse klaasneusspesie, uit twee nabyverwante taksa. Die nuwe Elephantulus takson, hierin beskryf, het ’n beperkte verspreiding in die sentraal Nama Karoo van Suid-Afrika. Afgesien van belangrike genetiese bewyse wat die beskrywing van die nuwe spesie ondersteun, word Elephantulus sp. nov. gekenmerk deur ’n aantal subtiele morfologiese karakters wat dit onderskei van E. edwardii. Binne E. edwardii sensu stricto, het mitochondriale molekulêre volgordes beduidende substruktuur aangedui regoor die spesies se verspreiding. Die data het die teenwoordigheid van ’n noordelike Namakwa en sentrale Fynbos klade aangetoon met vier evolusionêre lyne binne die laasgenoemde. Die geografiese skeiding van die noordelike en sentrale klades stem grootliks ooreen met patrone in ander rotsbewonende vertebraat spesies, wat op ’n gedeelde biogeografiese verlede in Suid-Afrika dui. Elephantulus rupestris (westelike klipklaasneus) en Macroscelides proboscideus (ronde-oor klaasneus) is twee taksa met verspreidings wat grootliks oorvleuel in die semi-woestyn streke van Suid-Afrika en Namibië. Mitochondriale DNS volgorde-bepaling dui op ’n gestruktueerde genetiese profiel binne E. rupestris, geassosieer met ’n habitat van rotskoppies, in vergelyking met ’n isolasie-deur-afstand patroon wat M. proboscideus, wat op gruisvlaktes aangetref word, karakteriseer. Chromosoom verandering, afgesien van heterochromatiese verskille, is beperk tot ’n strukturele verandering van ‘n diploïede getal van 26 (E. edwardii; E. rupestris; Elephantulus sp. nov.; E. intufi; E. brachyrhynchus en M. proboscideus) tot 2n=28 in beide Petrodromus tetradactylus asook E. rozeti en 2n=30 in E. myurus. Kruis-spesies chromosoom fluoressent hibridisasie (“zoo-FISH”) van die vloei-sorteerde merkers toegewys tot die vyf kleiner grootte outosome (8-12) asook die X chromosoom van E. edwardii tot metafase chromosome van Elephantulus sp. nov., E. intufi, E. myurus, P. tetradactylus en M. proboscideus het geen bewyse getoon van sintenie-verbreking nie en versterk G-bandbepaling waarnemings wat die konserwatiewe kariotipes in hierdie spesies ondersteun. ‘n Volledige evolusionêre filogenie, verteenwoordigend van alle erkende klaasneusspesies, word vir die eerste keer voorgestel. As sulks is ’n multigeen supermatriks wat gebaseer is op 3905 bp van drie mitochondriale (12S rRNA, valien tRNA, 16S rRNA) en twee nukluêre segmente (Von Willebrand faktor [vWF] en ekson 1 van die interfotoreseptor-retinoïed-bindende proteïen [IRBP]) ingesluit. As toevoeging, is nuwe sitogenetiese data, voorheen beskryfde morfologiese, anatomiese en dentale karakters sowel as data van allosieme-analises en penis morfologie ge-evalueer en nie-molekulêre ondersteuning aangedui op die molekulêre topologie. Die molekulêre bevindinge ondersteun nie ’n monofiletiese oorsprong vir Elephantulus nie en stel voor dat beide die monotipiese Petrodromus en Macroscelides ingesluit moet word in die genus Elephantulus. Molekulêre datering stel voor dat ’n dor-aangepasde Macroscelidinae lyn versprei het vanaf oos Afrika ~11.5 miljoen jaar gelede deur die “droeë Afrika korridor” tot in suidwestelike Afrika. Verdere spesiasie gebeurtenisse binne die Macroscelidinae kan nouliks geassosieer word met drie groot periodes van verdorring in Afrika.