SANBI

Rationale (Changed due to Same category and criteria)

This is a woodland and forest habitat species occurring widely but sparsely within the eastern parts of the assessment region. It qualifies as Vulnerable C2a(i) as the regional population is suspected to consist of fewer than 10,000 mature individuals, with no subpopulation having more than 1,000 mature individuals. Since this species has low wing loading, we assume that subpopulations are fragmented with limited dispersal between localities. The population is declining due to loss of habitat as a result of the re-mining of existing adits, and loss and degradation of woodland habitat.

Regional population effects: The subpopulations within the region are genetically distinct from those occurring north of the assessment region (Stofferg 2007; C. Schoeman and P. Taylor unpubl. data), which suggests that no dispersal is taking place. Additionally, since the species has low wing loading (Aldridge & Rautenbach 1987; Norberg & Rayner 1987; Schoeman & Jacobs 2008), we assume no significant dispersal is occurring and thus no rescue effects are possible.

Distribution

This bat has been recorded from the eastern parts of South Africa, much of Zimbabwe, and northwestern Mozambique, with additional scattered records further north in Malawi, Zambia, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Tanzania (including the island of Zanzibar) (Skinner & Chimimba 2005). It may be present in Angola but this needs confirmation. Within the assessment region this species is found in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa. It may have been overlooked in Swaziland and southern Mozambique (Monadjem et al. 2010).

Habitat View more ecological information

Population trend

Trend

In parts of its range, it is considered to be uncommon, however, Taylor (2000) records that it is fairly common in Zimbabwe. It generally forms small colonies of fewer than ten animals (ACR 2015). Within the assessment region, this species is known from 16 colonies all of which have fewer than 1,000 mature individuals. The overall population is suspected to be less than 10,000 mature individuals.

Threats

Populations may be locally threatened by local use of timber and firewood, and general conversion of land to agricultural use (ACR 2013). Re-mining of old mine adits is a significant threat in the assessment region, as it results in loss of suitable habitat for this species.

Uses and trade

This species is not known to be traded or utilised in any form.

Conservation

In the assessment area, the species is present in the protected areas Kruger National Park, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve, and Driebos State Forest. Key interventions for this species include protection of known roost sites through appropriate management to limit disturbance, and protected area expansion to incorporate further subpopulations.

Recommendations for land managers and practitioners:

Report discoveries of new roost sites.

Research priorities:

Further field surveys to discover new roost sites to inform protected area expansion.
Monitoring of known subpopulations to establish population trend.

Encouraged citizen actions:

Limit disturbance to roost sites.

References

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Red List of South African Species