RESEARCH PAPER
Species richness patterns and functional traits of the bat fauna of arid southern Africa
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Department of Biological Sciences, University of Swaziland, Private Bag 4, Kwaluseni, Swaziland
 
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Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag 20, Hatfield 0028, Pretoria, South Africa
 
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Global Change and Conservation, Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, PO Box 65 (Viikinkaari 1), 00014 Helsinki, Finland
 
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Core Team Member, Centre for Invasion Biology, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa
 
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South African Research Chair on Biodiversity Value & Change, University of Venda, P. Bag X5050, Thohoyandou, 0950 South Africa
 
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School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal Private Bag X54001, Durban 4000, South Africa
 
 
Online publication date: 2017-12-29
 
 
Publication date: 2018-01-01
 
 
Corresponding author
Ara Monadjem   

Department of Biological Sciences, University of Swaziland, Private Bag 4, Kwaluseni, Swaziland
 
 
Hystrix It. J. Mamm. 2018;29(1):19-24
 
Special Section: Bat Diversity and Ecology in Open Areas
Edited by: Maria João Ramos Pereira, Damiano G. Preatoni, Lucas A. Wauters, Danilo Russo
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ABSTRACT
The bat fauna of arid regions is still poorly studied mostly due to a lack of interest in areas with low species richness and a low number of threatened species. In this study, we reviewed the status of bat diversity in the arid parts of southern Africa, with the aim of setting up a baseline for future work. In particular, we described species richness patterns across four arid zones within the region (Namib Desert, Kalahari, Nama Karoo and Succulent Karoo), exploring abiotic gradients and local landscape structure. Additionally, we examined bat functional groups in this region and compared them with those of three other arid regions of the world to identify potential similarities and differences. The southern African arid region hosted 17 bat species, representing eight families, of which three are endemic to the region (Rhinolophus denti, Laephotis namibensis and Cistugo seabrae) and one is vagrant (the fruit bat Eidolon helvum). Species richness varied spatially within this arid region, being highest in the drier but topographically heterogeneous Namib Desert, probably as a result of roost availability. With regards to functional groups, the southern African arid region had few bat species adapted to foraging in open spaces, particularly when compared with the neighbouring savannahs. Drawing from this study, we suggest that: a) despite species richness decreasing with increasing aridity at the sub-continental scale, at a more local scale landscape features (e.g. habitat structure) might be more relevant than aridity in determining bat species richness; and b) an unknown factor, possibly patterns of temperature limiting the availability of insects flying high above the ground, restricted the diversity of the open air foragers throughout the region. We highlight additional areas of research worth investigation.
eISSN:1825-5272
ISSN:0394-1914
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