Sonar Surveys for Bat Species Richness and Activity in the Southern Kalahari Desert, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa

Rick Adams,Gary Kwiecinski

doi:10.3390/d10030103

Rick Adams, Gary Kwiecinski

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/d10030103

Copy DOI

Abstract

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is located in northwestern South Africa and extends northeastward into Botswana. The park lies largely within the southern Kalahari Desert ecosystem where the Auob and Nassob rivers reach their confluence. Although these rivers run only about once every 100 years, or shortly after large thunderstorms, underground flows and seeps provide consistent surface water for the parks sparse vegetation and diverse wildlife. No formal studies on bats have previously occurred at Kgalagadi. We used SM2 + BAT ultrasonic detectors to survey 10 sites along the Auob and Nassob rivers from 5–16 April 2016. The units recorded 3960 call sequences that were analyzed using Kaleidoscope software for South African bats as well as visual determinations based on call structure attributes (low frequency, characteristic frequency, call duration, and bandwidth). We identified 12 species from four families: Rhinolophidae: Rhinolophus fumigatus. Molossidae: Chaerephon pumilus, and Sauromys petrophilus, Tadarida aegyptiaca; Miniopteridae: Miniopteris schreibersi (natalensis), Vespertilionidae: Laephotis botswanae, Myotis tricolor, Neoromicia capensis, N. nana, Pipistrellus hesperidus, Scotophilus dinganii, and S. viridus. The most abundant species during the survey period was N. capensis. We also used paired-site design to test for greater bat activity at water sources compared to dry sites, with dry sites being significantly more active. We conclude that species richness is much higher than previously known from this region and that more species may be present during the warmer months of the year. In addition, activity of bats during the dry season in Kgalagadi would likely be more concentrated around drinking opportunities, thus allowing for better detection of species richness in the area.

Highlights

Sub-Saharan Africa is highly vulnerable to climate change, which will have negative effects on biodiversity and regional economies (GNP), many of which rely heavily on tourism such as in South African national parks [1]
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is in northwestern South Africa and encompasses the southern end of the Kalahari Desert that stretches nearly 600,000 km2 across
Surveys have identified the composition of large- [4] and some small-bodied [5] terrestrial mammals in this area, little is known of bat species richness [6]

Summary

Introduction

Sub-Saharan Africa is highly vulnerable to climate change, which will have negative effects on biodiversity and regional economies (GNP), many of which rely heavily on tourism such as in South African national parks [1]. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is in northwestern South Africa and encompasses the southern end of the Kalahari Desert that stretches nearly 600,000 km across. Namibia, and South Africa, and supports a highly rich and unique fauna and flora [2]. The establishment of transfrontier parks, such as Kgalagadi, that span two or more countries, allowing for unimpeded wildlife movements, are instrumentally important to conservation [3]. Bats are uniquely sensitive bioindicators of ecosystem health [7]. Because of their unique physiology and morphology making them highly susceptible to evaporative water losses thereby affecting reproductive outcomes, bats may Diversity 2018, 10, 103; doi:10.3390/d10030103 www.mdpi.com/journal/diversity

Methods

Results

Conclusion