Red List of South African Species

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Least Concern (LC)
Assessors: Ara Monadjem David Jacobs Lientjie Cohen Kate MacEwan Leigh Rosanne Richards Corrie Schoeman Theresa Sethusa Peter Taylor
Contributors: Claire Relton Domitilla Raimondo Samantha Page-Nicholson
Reviewers: Ara Monadjem David Jacobs Lientjie Cohen Kate MacEwan Leigh Rosanne Richards Corrie Shoeman Theresa Sethusa Peter Taylor

Rationale

Listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution (estimated extent of occurrence in the assessment region alone is 652,579 km2), its occurrence in multiple protected areas (including Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park and Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area), its tolerance of disturbed habitats, its relative abundance compared to other species, and because there are no major identified threats that could cause widespread population decline. Further taxonomic resolution is required through molecular research.

Regional population effects: Present within transfrontier conservation areas where resident populations seemingly have a continuous distribution with those of Zimbabwe and possibly Mozambique (Monadjem et al. 2010). However, it has low wing loading (Schoeman & Jacobs 2008) and thus rescue effects are uncertain.

Distribution

The African Pipistrelle’s distribution extends over much of sub-Saharan Africa, ranging from the Cape Verde Islands in the extreme northwest, eastwards through Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria and Cameroon to Ethiopia and Somalia. Its range covers much of central and East Africa southwards to eastern South Africa, Swaziland and central western Madagascar (Bates et al. 2006; Monadjem et al. 2010; Piraccini 2016). Within the assessment region, the species occurs widely in the eastern parts of the region, having been recorded from the Eastern Cape, north through KwaZulu-Natal, Swaziland and northern South Africa (Figure 1; Skinner & Chimimba 2005; Monadjem et al. 2010), to Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and northern Mozambique (Monadjem et al. 2010). In the Limpopo Province, the species occurs in the Soutpansberg and Pafuri regions southwards into Mpumalanga (Skinner & Chimimba 2005). Single records from the Okavango, northern Botswana, and from Boshof in the western Free State indicate that this species probably has a broader distribution than previously thought (Monadjem et al. 2010). However, some records require vetting as this species is extremely difficult to distinguish in the field from other Pipistrellus, Hypsugo or Neoromicia species (Kearney 2005). Estimated extent of occurrence in the assessment region alone is 652,579 km2.

Population trend

Trend

The abundance of this species across most of its range is largely unknown. In southern Africa, however, it is considered uncommon (ACR 2015), where colonies occur in small groups of about 12 bats (Skinner & Chimimba 2005). However, in a recent study in the Durban region, this species was one of the most commonly recorded of 16 species along the Umbilo River (Naidoo et al. 2011). It is relatively well represented in museums, with over 100 specimens examined in Monadjem et al. (2010).

Threats

No major threats have been identified for this species at present, but further research is required to delineate the distributional limits of this species, its taxonomic status, roosting behaviour, as well as potential threats. Ongoing habitat loss from agricultural transformation, especially in KwaZulu-Natal (Jewitt et al. 2015), may reduce the insect prey base for this species. The impacts of climate change should also be investigated (sensu Sherwin et al. 2013).

Uses and trade

There is no evidence to suggest that this species is traded or harvested within the assessment region.

Conservation

This species occurs in many protected areas within the assessment region, having been recorded from Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area, Loskop Dam Nature Reserve, Songimvelo Nature Reserve, Ndumo Game Reserve, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve, Sibudeni Nature Reserve, Nkandla Forest Reserve, Mome Nature Reserve, Krantzkloof Nature Reserve, Dwese-Cwebe Wildlife Reserve, Garden Route National Park, Dlinza Forest Reserve, Phinda Private Game Reserve, Mkuze Game Reserve, Hlatikulu Forest Reserve, Mlawula Nature Reserve, Lajuma Mountain Reserve and Blouberg Nature Reserve. No specific conservation interventions are necessary at present. However, outside of protected areas, it would benefit from holistic land management that reduces pesticide use and conserves buffer strips of natural vegetation to sustain insect biomass.

Recommendations for land managers and practitioners:
  • Reduce pesticide use in agricultural landscapes and maintain buffer strips of natural vegetation.
Research priorities:
  • Additional taxonomic studies are needed to better define its range relative to other species of Pipistrellus (ACR 2015), as well as to resolve the status of the putative subspecies.
  • Vetting of museum specimens is needed to more accurately delimit its range.
  • Studies into its roosting behaviour, habitat selection and population status are needed.
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. However, it should be noted that this species is very difficult to distinguish from other Pipistrellus, Hypsugo or Neoromicia species. It is larger than P. rusticus (Monadjem et al. 2010).

References 

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,]
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