SANBI

Rationale

Listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution (extent of occurrence in the assessment region alone is 786,956 km²), its tolerance of a broad range of habitats (including built-up areas for roost sites and foraging), its presumed large population, its occurrence in several protected areas and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category. However, due to its open-air foraging, it may potentially be negatively impacted by wind farm developments in certain areas and this emerging threat should be monitored.

Regional population effects: This species range is well connected between the assessment region and neighbouring countries and thus we assume rescue effects are possible.

Distribution

Taphozous mauritianus is widespread in the eastern and northern parts of sub-Saharan Africa, occurring from the Western and Eastern Cape, where it is known from just two localities, through KwaZulu-Natal, Swaziland and northern South Africa, to Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, central Mozambique, Democratic Republic of Congo and western Angola (Monadjem et al. 2010). Specimens have also been collected and photographed in Namibia (Monadjem et al. 2010). The ecological niche model suggests that this species could occur across a large portion of southern Mozambique, from where it has not yet been recorded; and, similarly, while some records from the Western Cape are unverified (for example, a citizen science record from 2014 on a farm near Darling â the most westerly record), with known records extending as far south as De Hoop Nature Reserve, the model predicts suitable habitat to extend up the west coast (Monadjem et al. 2010). Additionally, an isolated record from Hartswater, Northern Cape Province suggests a wider distribution than presently known (Erasmus & Rautenbach 1984). Regardless, Mauritian Tomb Bats are very scarce in the extreme south of its range. The extent of occurrence has been estimated at 786,956 km², while the number of locations is between 30 and 100 within the assessment region.

Habitat View more ecological information

Population trend

Trend

The Mauritian Tomb Bat is fairly common and conspicuous, roosting under covering vegetation on the outer bark of trees or on the outer walls of buildings under the eaves of roofs. Females roost in small colonies of 2â5 (up to 30) individuals (Taylor 1998, 2000), while males generally roost singly and separately from the females.

Threats

Overall, this species is not significantly threatened. They can use man-made structures and exotic vegetation for roost sights for this species, but insecticides could result in localised declines (Friedmann & Daly 2004). However, with wind energy developments spreading to the eastern parts of the country, combined with the open-air foraging behaviour of T. mauritianus, fatalities by wind turbines are a potential emerging threat.

Uses and trade

This species may be hunted for subsistence purposes in some areas (Hutson et al. 2008), but it is uncertain whether this is occurring or significant within the assessment region.

Conservation

In the assessment region, the species is recorded from the many protected areas: Kruger National Park, Baobab Tree Reserve, Wonderkop Nature Reserve, D'nyala Nature Reserve, Witvinger Nature Reserve, Hans Merensky Nature Reserve, Pilanesberg National Park, Nylsvley Nature Reserve, Sterkspruit Nature Reserve, Sterkspruit Nature Reserve, Magaliesburg Protected Nature Environment, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Isimangaliso Wetland Park and Ukahlamba Drakensberg World Heritage Site. No direct conservation interventions are necessary at present. However, the impact of wind farming should also be monitored to determine potential population decline.

Recommendations for land managers and practitioners:

Reduce pesticide use in agricultural landscapes.

Research priorities:

Monitoring mortalities linked with windfarms operations needed, and assessing impact on population.
Field surveys are needed to more accurately delimit its distribution in the southern parts of its range.

Encouraged citizen actions:

As this is an easily identifiable species, reported sightings on virtual museum platforms (for example, iSpot and MammalMAP) will help to improve its distribution map.

References

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 publisher = {Cambridge University Press, United Kingdom},
 title = {The Mammals of the Southern African Subregion},
 year = {2005}
}
,@book{570,
 address = {Parkview, South Africa},
 author = {Friedmann, Y. and Daly, B.},
 publisher = {Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (SSC/IUCN) and Endangered Wildlife Trust},
 title = {Red Data Book of the Mammals of South Africa: A Conservation Assessment},
 year = {2004}
}
,@book{9077,
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 author = {Taylor, P.J.},
 publisher = {University of Natal Press},
 title = {The Smaller Mammals of KwaZulu-Natal},
 year = {1998}
}
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}
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,]

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