Mormopterus planiceps — Details

Southern Free-tailed Bat learn more about names for this taxon

Overview

Distribution

Range Description

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This species is endemic to Australia. It occurs from eastern Queensland south to Victoria and across much of the southern and central portions of the country to south-western Australia, with the exception of the Nullarbor Plain.
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Ecology

Habitat

Habitat and Ecology

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Habitat and Ecology
This species has been recorded from a wide range of habitats including forests, open woodland, mallee, and shrubland. It is often more common in wet habitats. It forages predominantly on insects at canopy level or over open land. These bats roost in tree-hollows, roof cavities, lengths of waterpipe, as well as other man made structures. Colonies contain up to about 100 animals. Captive individuals have been known to live for 15 years (L. Lumsden pers. comm.). Females usually give birth to a single young.

Systems
  • Terrestrial
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Life History and Behavior

Life Expectancy

Lifespan, longevity, and ageing

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Observations: Little is known about the longevity of these animals, but one specimen lived 6.5 years in captivity (Richard Weigl 2005). Females reach sexual maturity in their first year but males probably only later (Virginia Hayssen et al. 1993).
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Conservation

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List Assessment

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Red List Category
LC
Least Concern

Red List Criteria

Version
3.1

Year Assessed
2008

Assessor/s
Hall, L., Lumsden, L., McKenzie, N., Pennay, M. & Reardon, T.

Reviewer/s
Lamoreux, J. (Global Mammal Assessment Team), Racey, P.A., Medellín, R. & Hutson, A.M. (Chiroptera Red List Authority)

Justification
Listed as Least Concern because, although the taxonomic status of separate populations has yet to be adequately resolved, the species sensu lato has a wide distribution, large population, occurs in a number of protected areas, and is not believed to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a threatened category. Moreover, the separate taxa, recognized as species by Adams et al. (1988), were each assessed as Least Concern in 2005 when experts applied the IUCN Red List Criteria to them.

History
  • 1996
    Lower Risk/least concern
    (Baillie and Groombridge 1996)
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Population

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Population
It is a common species. However, in portions of its range it is uncommon (e.g., in the north-east and parts of its westernmost range).

Population Trend
Decreasing
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Threats

Threats

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Major Threats
There are no major threats to this species. In portions of its range, however, it is threatened by habitat destruction. In the eastern parts of its range clearance of forest for agriculture and coastal development are threats (L. Hall and M. Pennay pers. comm.), and in parts of the west clearing for agriculture, degradation of woodland habitat, and salinification of habitat adversely affect the species (N. McKenzie pers. comm.).
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Management

Conservation Actions

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Conservation Actions
This species is present in a number of protected areas throughout Australia. The most urgent research need is to assess the species limits within this complex and formally describe species that are likely within it.
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Wikipedia

Southern Free-Tailed Bat

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The Southern Free-Tailed Bat (Mormopterus planiceps) is a species of bat found in Australia, Indonesia (Irian Jaya), and Papua New Guinea.

References

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