Damara horseshoe bat
| Damara horseshoe bat | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Rhinolophidae |
| Genus: | Rhinolophus |
| Species: | R. damarensis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Rhinolophus damarensis Roberts, 1946
| |
The Damara horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus damarensis), is a species of bat found in Africa.
Taxonomy and etymology
[edit]It was described as a subspecies of Darling's horseshoe bat in 1946 by South African zoologist Austin Roberts. It was largely maintained as a subspecies of Darling's horseshoe bat until 2013, when it was shown to be genetically distinct.[2] Its species name "damarensis" means "belonging to Damara." Roberts was possibly referencing Damaraland in Namibia.
Biology and ecology
[edit]It is nocturnal, roosting in sheltered places during the day such as caves and mines, particularly asbestos and gold mines. It is a social species, forming colonies that generally consist of fewer than 100 individuals.[1]
Range and status
[edit]It is found in the eastern half of Southern Africa, with its range including Angola, Namibia, and South Africa.[1]
It is currently assessed as least concern by the IUCN—its lowest conservation priority. Potential threats to this species include habitat loss; the old mines that it uses as roosts are subject to disturbance if and when they are reopened. Its range includes protected areas, such as ǀAi-ǀAis/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park and Augrabies Falls National Park.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Monadjem, A.; Jacobs, D.; Taylor, P.; Cohen, L.; MacEwan, K.; Richards, L.R.; Sethusa, T. (2017). "Rhinolophus damarensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T67369846A67369914. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T67369846A67369914.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ Jacobs, David S; Babiker, Hassan; Bastian, Anna; Kearney, Teresa; Van Eeden, Rowen; Bishop, Jacqueline M (2013). "Phenotypic Convergence in Genetically Distinct Lineages of a Rhinolophus Species Complex (Mammalia, Chiroptera)". PLOS ONE. 8 (12): e82614. Bibcode:2013PLoSO...882614J. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0082614. PMC 3849494. PMID 24312666.