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Rationale

Although widespread throughout sub-Saharan Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and the Indian subcontinent, the species is only recorded from two isolated subpopulations in the assessment region (the Border Cave along the Lebombo escarpment on the South Africa-Swaziland border, and the Limpopo and Shashi confluence along the borders of South Africa and southern Zimbabwe, with no evidence of more localities within the assessment region); this is likely the southernmost limit of the range of the species in sub-Saharan Africa. The nearest known colonies are in southern Zimbabwe and adjacent Mozambique. Specific threats and population trends are unknown. However, monitoring data from the Border Cave colony indicates a stable or increasing subpopulation between 2011 and 2014. Although this species qualifies for Vulnerable D2 based on two locations, it is uncertain whether there are any plausible threats and thus we list as Near Threatened D2 due to the regional criterion.

Regional population effects: It has high wing loading (Norberg & Rayner 1987) and thus dispersal capacity is assumed to be good. However, the population is sparsely distributed in southern Africa and it is unclear whether significant rescue effects are possible. For the purpose of this assessment, we assume rescue effects are possible.

Distribution

The Egyptian Tomb Bat occurs widely throughout northern and sub-Saharan Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and east to the Indian subcontinent. In sub-Saharan Africa, records extend along the Nile and east to Ethiopia and northern Somalia, and west to Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Benin, Niger, and northern Nigeria, and south to Kenya (including Lamu Island), Tanzania, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Botswana (Kock et al. 2008; Monadjem et al. 2010; ACR 2015). However, it is patchily distributed in southern Africa, occurring in southern Zimbabwe, Mozambique and an isolated subpopulation in the Okavango Delta of Botswana (Monadjem et al. 2010). In the assessment region, the species appears to be peripheral, recorded from Border Cave along the Lebombo escarpment on the South Africa-Swaziland border (specimen records of the Durban Natural Science Museum), and from the northern borders of the Limpopo and Shashi confluence along the borders of South Africa and southern Zimbabwe (Harrison 1962; Skinner & Chimimba 2005).

Habitat View more ecological information

Population trend

Trend

The Egyptian Tomb Bat is common in parts of its African range, but is less common elsewhere. It is found in small colonies (between six to eight individuals) in the southern African subregion (Harrison 1962; Skinner & Chimimba 2005; Monadjem et al. 2010), but can number in the hundreds in southern Zimbabwe (Monadjem et al. 2010). In South Asia the abundance, population size and trends for this species are not known, and the species has only been recorded from a few localities (Bates & Harrison 1997). Direct observation and counting of individuals at Border Cave (border between South Africa and Swaziland) over a three period, suggests that the population may be increasing. In 2014, it contained between 25â30 individuals (L.R. Richards unpubl. data), from an estimated 10â15 individuals originally observed in 2011 (White 2011). The southern African population of this species is poorly represented in museums, with just 28 records used in Monadjem et al. (2010).

Threats

Human disturbance has been highlighted as a threat to the Egyptian Tomb Bat, but overall it is unlikely that this species is significantly threatened across its very wide range. In South Asia it is threatened by clearing of thorn forests for agricultural purposes, or for mining and stone quarrying. Roost disturbance due to human interference and development of old buildings for tourism purposes are also considered serious threats (C. Srinivasulu pers. comm.; Molur et al. 2002). Within the assessment region, threats to this species have not been quantified. However, climate change is recognised as a potential threat to most bat species, as climate is known to influence the biogeography of bats, the availability of food, energetic expenditure, as well as the timing and duration of important processes such as reproduction, hibernation, development and torpor (Sherwin et al. 2013). However, this remains to be verified as a threat to the species within the assessment region.

Uses and trade

There is no evidence to suggest that the species is traded or utilised in any form.

Conservation

There are no direct interventions necessary for this species within the assessment region. It occurs within Mapungubwe National Park and possibly Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve (both protected areas occurring in the northern region of the Limpopo Province).

Recommendations for land managers and practitioners:

Reduce pesticide use in agricultural landscapes.

Research priorities:

Research is needed on the population trends, distribution and specific threats facing the species (Kock et al. 2008).
Its life history and ecology needs to be further studied (Kock et al. 2008).

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. The Egyptian Tomb Bat is almost identical in body size to that of the Mauritian Tomb Bat (T. mauritianus), but these species can be distinguished by their distinctive colourations. The Egyptian Tomb Bat has a darker back, and lacks the greyish-brown (grizzled) colouration of the Mauritian Tomb Bat.

References

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