Rationale
(Changed due to Knowledge of criteria)
Listed as Least Concern as it has a wide distribution in the assessment region (estimated extent of occurrence is 515,772 km2), it occurs in a number of protected areas, including Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park and Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area and there are no known major threats that could cause widespread population decline. It also occurs in suitably wooded urban and rural areas. The population also does not appear to be declining fast enough to qualify for a more threatened category. It has been recorded to occur more widely than known in the previous assessment. Further research on its roosting behaviour and potential local threats is needed.
Regional population effects: This species is expected to be considerably more widespread in southern Africa than is currently recognized. Its presence within the transfrontier conservation areas in northern South Africa suggests that the range of resident populations may be continuous with those in Zimbabwe, but it has low wing-loading (Schoeman and Jacobs 2008) and thus rescue effects are uncertain.
Distribution
This species is largely restricted to southern Africa, ranging from Angola in the west, through the southern parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, southwards into Zambia and Zimbabwe. There are also isolated records from central Mozambique and northern Botswana (Monadjem et al. 2010), and there are recent records of this species from Madagascar (ACR 2015). Although few records are available for the assessment region, its distribution in southern Africa is likely more widespread than currently known (Skinner and Chimimba 2005). This is demonstrated by a wider range documented in this assessment than in the previous assessment of Friedmann and Daly (2004). It occurs in Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and marginally into the Eastern Cape, as well as in eastern Swaziland (Skinner and Chimimba 2005). It has also been recorded from the Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area in the Zimbabwe section, as well as the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park.
Population trend
Trend
Although predominantly collected from only a few localities (Monadjem et al. 2010), this species is considered locally common in southern Africa (ACR 2015).
Threats
No major threats have been identified for this species at present, but there is limited research available for this species, thus more comprehensive studies are required to assess possible threats. For example, there are no data available for the types of roosting sites utilised by this species, which undermines our ability to predict which sites may be vulnerable to human disturbance or habitat alteration. Similar to other insectivorous bats, the use of pesticides in agricultural landscapes may diminish its prey base.
Uses and trade
There is no evidence to suggest that this species is traded or harvested within the assessment region.
Conservation
This species is present within a number of protected areas within the assessment region, including the Kruger National Park (Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park), iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Tembe Elephant Park, Kranzkloof Nature Reserve, as well as the Greater Mapungupwe Transfrontier Conservation Area and the Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation Areas. No specific conservation measures have been identified for this species. However, further investigations into the general ecology, distribution and possible threats to this species are required (ACR 2015).
Recommendations for land managers and practitioners:
- Reduce pesticide use in agricultural landscapes.
Research priorities:
- Field surveys and systematic monitoring to determine distribution, population size and trends.
- Natural history, including the roosting, feeding and reproductive ecology of this species.
- Quantifying the possible threats faced by this species.
- Continued molecular and taxonomic research is necessary for this species and the Neoromica/Pipistrellus group.
Encouraged citizen actions:
- Citizens can assist the conservation of the species by reporting sightings on virtual museum platforms (e.g., iSpot and MammalMAP), and therefore contribute to an understanding of the species distribution.
