The taxonomic history of this species is briefly discussed by Deschodt et al. (2016). These authors examined images of the types of this species, its existing junior synonym (Elassocanthon brevipes), and Byrrhidium namaquensis. They confirmed the synonymy of the former and formally synonymized B. namaquensis within B. ovale.

This species is listed as Near Threatened on the basis that it has a restricted extent of occurrence (2,370 km²) and there is ongoing habitat degradation within its range from livestock grazing, however the extent to which this represents a threat to the species' survival is unclear and (although only six localities are known) it is unknown whether it occurs at 10 or fewer locations or as a severely fragmented population. With further data it could potentially qualify for listing in any category from Least Concern to Endangered applying criterion B, but is unlikely to qualify for Critically Endangered.

This species is endemic to arid regions in central and south Namaqualand, South Africa (Davis et al. 2020). A report from Namibia is erroneous, representing confusion over the type locality of one of the species' junior synonyms (in Little Namaqualand, South Africa, rather than Great Namaqualand in Namibia) (Davis et al. 2020). It occurs between 298 and 1,179 m asl (Davis et al. 2020). In total it is known from six localities (Davis et al. 2020).

It is known from low numbers in collections: as the known localities lie within an area where habitat transformation is low this may reflect specialised habits and a low encounter rate rather than true rarity (Davis et al. 2020). Whether this scarcity is genuinely a collecting artefact or a consequence of true rarity is however unclear (A. Davis pers. comm. 2023).

This species belongs to an arid-zone group of flightless species that appear to be localised around concentrations of dung, particularly those of Rock Hyrax (Procavia capensis), in an otherwise resource-poor landscape (Deschodt and Davis 2018). It has however been recorded from areas with no hyrax dung, possibly in association with heuweltjies (fossilised termite mounds with dense vegetation) which may attract concentrations of rodents (C. Deschodt pers. comm. 2023). Mean annual rainfall across the six known localities is 98-163 mm, concentrated in winter, and mean annual temperature is 15.2-18.7 °C (Davis et al. 2020).

This species has been sampled on sandy loam in "relatively undisturbed shrubland", with the greatest observed frequency close to heuweltjies inhabited by small mammals (Davis et al. 2020). It apparently occurs in lower densities in habitats disturbed by grazing, but its ecology remains poorly-known (Davis et al. 2020). These mammals' pellet-type dung may represent the primary resource determining the occurrence of this species (Davis et al. 2020). This may reflect availability rather than dietary specialization, and the species is attracted to traps baited with pig dung (Davis et al. 2020). Activity has been recorded during the July-September winter rainy season, and animals appear to be most active either in late afternoon or early morning, or at night) (Davis et al. 2020). It has also been sampled in cool conditions following rain in spring (Davis et al. 2020).

Goat and sheep grazing is widespread throughout this species' range. This species is likely to be sensitive to grazing pressure, likely because the removal of vegetation causes the loss of soil moisture, however at present this is inferred only from qualitative observations that densities appear to be lower in disturbed than undisturbed habitats and it has not been found in surveys of overgrazed areas by C. Deschodt (pers. comm. 2023). Heuweltjies seem to hold more palatable vegetation to grazers than other areas, so may be disproportionately impacted by grazing (C. Deschodt pers. comm. 2023). Nothing is however known with certainty of its sensitivity to this disturbance (Davis et al. 2020, C. Deschodt pers. comm. 2023). In flat areas, low-intensity wheat farming may also be a threat (C. Deschodt pers. comm. 2023).

Dung beetles adapted to the cool, arid winter rainfall region of southwest South Africa and Namibia may be at elevated risk from the predicted impacts of climate change, which may result in temperature-driven changes to seasonal rainfall patterns and increase annual precipitation (Davis and Scholz 2020). This may facilitate the expansion of warm-adapted species from the northeast into presently unsuitable areas (Davis and Scholz 2020). Likely a longer-term impact, such a threat may not be an immediate issue.

There is presumably no use of or trade in this species.

This species is not known from protected areas, although a very small portion of one vegetation unit in which it occurs extends into Namaqua National Park (Davis et al. 2020). To adequately assess this beetle's conservation status, research is required to document its distributional extent, occupancy patterns and ecological requirements (Davis et al. 2020). In particular, quantitative work is needed to clarify the extent of this species' dependence on heuweltjies and possible threats to these or other key features the beetle's habitat from overgrazing or other habitat disturbance (Davis et al. 2020).