Red List of South African Species

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Near Threatened (NT)
Assessors: Leigh Rosanne Richards Wendy White Lientjie Cohen David Jacobs Kate MacEwan Ara Monadjem Corrie Schoeman Peter Taylor
Contributors: Domitilla Raimondo Matthew Child Theresa Sethusa
Reviewers: Leigh Rosanne Richards Wendy White Lientjie Cohen David Jacobs Kate MacEwan Ara Monadjem Corrie Shoeman Peter Taylor

Rationale

This rarely recorded species is known from three localities (Yellowwood Park in the Durban region, Empangeni and St Lucia, iSimangaliso Wetland Park) within the assessment region, but is widely (albeit patchily) distributed throughout East Africa. It is unknown whether its habitat is under threat because its habitat requirements are inadequately understood. As such, it is uncertain whether the localities represent locations. Furthermore, it is speculated that the species may be more widespread than the current records suggest (current estimated extent of occurrence is 1,795 km2). Further field studies are needed to ascertain this and the species should be reassessed once more comprehensive data are available because it could qualify for either a more or less threatened status. Based on current information, this species qualifies as Near Threatened D2 as the number of localities within the assessment region is currently fewer than five, but it is unclear whether there are any plausible threats. Should further data reveal threats that could rapidly affect all individuals within the localities, the species will qualify for Vulnerable D2.

Regional population effects: It has medium wing loading (Schoeman & Jacobs 2008) and thus presumed to have adequate dispersal capacity but has a disjunct distribution between the assessment region and the closest extra-regional record in Zinave National Park in Mozambique (Monadjem et al 2010). Thus we assume no significant rescue effects are possible.

Distribution

This species has been sparsely recorded from across South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia and southern Malawi and also from scattered localities in Benin, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Senegal, northern Uganda, southern Kenya, Tanzania, southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nigeria (Monadjem et al. 2010). Within southern Africa, it is known from Zinave National Park in southern Mozambique (Cotterill 2001), Lusaka in Zambia and Chiromo in Malawi (Happold et al. 1987). Within the assessment region, it is known from St Lucia (Kearney & Taylor 1997), a suburb of Durban (Taylor et al. 2004), and Empangeni (Bat Interest Group of KwaZulu-Natal unpubl. data). It was recorded for the first time in South Africa when two amateur bat workers responded to distress calls by a pregnant female bat (Bat Interest Group of KwaZulu-Natal unpubl. data), and additional specimens of this rare bat have been located in the Durban and Empangeni regions by bat rehabilitators (Monadjem et al. 2010). The estimated extent of occurrence is 1,795 km2. However, it is probably more widespread than current records suggest (Bronner et al. 2003).

Population trend

Trend

It is rare, reflected by its poor representation in museums with just six records examined in Monadjem et al. (2010). Little information is available on the abundance or population size of this species. Further field surveys are needed to determine colony sizes and trends. The use of elevated mist-nets may increase the number of records.

Threats

There are no major threats to this species as its habitats are generally well protected within the assessment region and it can occur in human modified habitats. More research is needed into potential local threats facing the species.

Uses and trade

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

Conservation

No specific interventions are possible at present as further studies are needed into the distribution, natural history and possible threats to this widespread but very poorly known species. Within the assessment region, this species is presumably protected within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Protected area expansion will benefit this species, but specialised research into its habitat requirements are a prerequisite.

Recommendations for land managers and practitioners:
  • Record known roost sites and colony sizes.
Research priorities:
  • Field surveys delimiting geographical distribution, subpopulation sizes and habitat preferences (Bronner et al. 2003).
  • Quantification of threats potentially facing this species.
Encouraged citizen actions:
  • Limit disturbance to roost sites.
  • Deposit any dead specimens with the Durban Natural Science Museum or Ditsong Museum of Natural History.
  • Report live sightings on virtual museum platforms (for example, iSpot and MammalMAP).

References 

[@book{19529,
 address = {Johannesburg},
 author = {Monadjem, A., Taylor, P.J., Cotterill, F.P.D. and Schoeman M.C.},
 publisher = {University of Witwatersrand Press},
 title = {Bats of Southern and Central Africa: a biogeographic and taxonomic synthesis},
 year = {2010}
}
,@article{4221,
 author = {Meester JAJ, Rautenbach IL, Dippenaar NJ, Baker CM},
 journal = {Transvaal Museum Monographs},
 pages = {1–359},
 title = {Classification of southern African mammals},
 volume = {5},
 year = {1986}
}
,@article{4221,
 author = {Jewitt D, Goodman P.S., Erasmus B.F.N., O’Connor T.G.; and Witkowski E.T.F.},
 journal = {South African Journal of Science },
 pages = {1–9.},
 title = {Systematic land-cover change in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: implications for biodiversity},
 volume = {111},
 year = {2015}
}
,@article{4317,
 author = {Schoeman MC, Jacobs DS},
 journal = {PLoS One},
 pages = {e3715},
 title = {The relative influence of competition and prey defenses on the phenotypic structure of insectivorous bat ensembles in southern Africa},
 volume = {3},
 year = {2008}
}
,@techreport{6269,
 address = {Pretoria, South Africa},
 author = {Driver A, Sink KJ, Nel JN, Holness S, van Niekerk L, Daniels F, Jonas Z, Majiedt PA, Harris L, Maze K},
 institution = {South African National Biodiversity Institute and Department of Environmental Affairs},
 title = { National Biodiversity Assessment 2011: An Assessment of South Africa’s Biodiversity and Ecosystems. Synthesis Report},
 year = {2012}
}
,@article{11138,
 author = {Kearney T, Taylor PJ},
 journal = {Durban Museum Novitates},
 pages = {53–56},
 title = {New distribution records of bats in KwaZulu-Natal},
 volume = {22},
 year = {1997}
}
,@article{14148,
 author = {Happold DCD, Happold M, Hill JE.},
 journal = {Mammalia},
 pages = {337–414},
 title = {The bats of Malawi.},
 volume = {51},
 year = {1987}
}
,@article{20054,
 author = {Whitaker JO, Mumford RE},
 journal = {Journal of Mammalogy},
 pages = {632–634},
 title = {Foods and ectoparasites of bats from Kenya, East Africa},
 volume = {59},
 year = {1978}
}
,@article{20054,
 author = {Bronner GN, Hoffmann M, Taylor PJ, Chimimba CT, Best P., Mathee CA, Robinson TJ},
 journal = {Durban Museum Novitates},
 pages = {56–106},
 title = {A revised systematic checklist of the extant mammals of the southern African subregion.},
 volume = {28},
 year = {2003}
}
,@article{20054,
 author = {Cotterill FPD},
 journal = {Arnoldia Zimbabwe},
 pages = {219–224},
 title = {New specimens of lesser house bats (Vespertilionidae: Scotoecus) from Mozambique and Zambia},
 volume = {10},
 year = {2001}
}
,@article{20054,
 author = {Taylor PJ, Cotterill FPD, van der Merwe M, White W, Jacobs DS},
 journal = {Durban Museum Novitates},
 pages = {104–109},
 title = {New biogeographical records of five rare bat species (Chiroptera: Rhinolophidae and Vespertilionidae) from South Africa},
 volume = {29},
 year = {2004}
}
,]
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