Red List of South African Species

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Data Deficient (DD)
Assessors: Nico Avenant Julio Balona Lientjie Cohen David Jacobs Kate MacEwan Ara Monadjem Leigh Rosanne Richards Corrie Schoeman Theresa Sethusa Peter Taylor
Contributors: Claire Relton Domitilla Raimondo Matthew Child
Reviewers: Nico Avenant Julio Balona Lientjie Cohen David Jacobs Kate MacEwan Ara Monadjem Leigh Rosanne Richards Corrie Shoeman Theresa Sethusa Peter Taylor

Rationale

This species has been confirmed in only two localities within the assessment region: the Clarens district in the eastern Free State and the Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Park on the Lesotho side. The record from Hella Hella Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal Province has been reassigned to L. botswanae and a recent record from Hogsback in the Eastern Cape Province requires verification from genetic analysis. While morphometric analysis identifies these specimens more closely to L. wintoni from East Africa, ongoing molecular research is needed to distinguish the specific status between L. namibensis and L. cf. wintoni, as the latter species may be a South African endemic. Although it potentially qualifies for Vulnerable D2 based on only two locations, there are no plausible threats because the species occurs chiefly in a protected area, presumably inhabits inaccessible rock crevices as day roosts, and may occur more widely than thought. As it is rare, there are likely fewer than 1,000 mature individuals and thus we list as Vulnerable D1 under a precautionary purview. Ongoing molecular research and further field surveys are needed and this species should be reassessed once such data are available.

Regional population effects: We assume no rescue effects are possible as there is a disjunct distribution between the assessment region and the rest of its African range and molecular research may reveal this species to be endemic.

Distribution

De Winton’s Long-eared Bat is endemic to Africa and has a widespread range, extending from Ethiopia southwards through Kenya, Tanzania (Kock & Howell 1988; Stanley & Kock 2004), and into southern Zambia. The populations from eastern Lesotho and South Africa are apparently isolated (ACR 2015). Within the assessment region, records have been confirmed from montane grasslands on the Lesotho side of Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Park (Lynch 1994; Kearney & Seamark 2005), and the Clarens District of the eastern Free State (Farm Schapplaas) (Kearney & Seamark 2005). Recently, a record was obtained from the Hogsback region of the Eastern Cape but it requires validation (C. Schoeman unpubl. data). Previous specimens from the KwaZulu-Natal Province (Hella Hella, Richmond) listed as L. cf. wintoni (Kearney & Taylor 1997) have been reassigned to L. botswanae (Kearney & Seamark 2005). Similarly, original specimens collected from Algeria Forest, Western Cape (Rautenbach & Nel 1978) were subsequently reassigned as L. namibensis (Skinner & Smithers 1990). However, new specimens from Algeria have been referred to as L. wintoni (based on Rautenbach & Nel 1978) by Jacobs et al. (2005). Taxonomic revision is required to determine whether this species and L. namibensis are conspecific. If not, L. wintoni may be endemic to the assessment region, as there is a significant geographic divide between specimens from the assessment region and other populations across Africa.

Population trend

Trend

It appears to be an uncommon species, which possibly exhibits large population fluctuations (ACR 2015). It is poorly represented in museums, and only seven individuals were examined in Monadjem et al. (2010). Five individuals were caught by Lynch (1994) in Lesotho. Although its range is widespread across East Africa, it is not considered common throughout the rest of its range (Kearney & Seamark 2005).

Threats

No major threats have been identified for this poorly known species. It occurs primarily in a protected area in Lesotho and is believed to inhabit inaccessible rock crevices as day roosts. It is possible that a reduction in insect prey base through pesticide use or overgrazing the vegetation surrounding wetlands and vleis may cause local declines, but this remains to be investigated. Additionally, as this species is rare, and is known from only two localities in high-altitude grassland regions, their vulnerability to climate change should be investigated, as this has been identified as an increasing global threat to other bat species (Sherwin et al. 2013). Although potentially occurring in areas of high wind farm density, this species has a low risk of impact with turbines (Sowler et al. 2017). If this species is revealed to have a wider distribution than currently known, threats will have to be reassessed.

Uses and trade

There is no evidence to suggest that this species is traded or harvested within the assessment region.

Conservation

De Winton’s Long-eared Bat has been recorded from the Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Park. No direct conservation interventions are possible until more is known about its distribution, ecology and population status. However, this species would benefit from the long-term protection of additional key roost sites when identified, as well as holistic land management that reduces pesticide use and conserves buffer strips of natural vegetation (especially around wetlands).

Recommendations for land managers and practitioners:
  • Reduce pesticide use in agricultural landscapes and maintain buffer strips of natural vegetation.
Research priorities:
  • Taxonomic resolution of the species and its relationship with L. namibensis through molecular research.
  • Systematic monitoring to identify key roost sites, measure population size and trends.
  • Studies into habitat selection, foraging and reproductive ecology.
Encouraged citizen actions:
  • Citizens can assist the conservation of the species by reporting sightings on virtual museum platforms (for example, iSpot and MammalMAP), and therefore contribute to an understanding of the species distribution.

References 

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,]
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