Ghost Bat
Macroderma gigas
Australia's Threatened Species Category
Vulnerable
Listed since: 5/05/2016
IUCN's Threatened Species Category
Vulnerable
Listed since: 29/04/2019
Population trend: Decreasing
Other names: None
Priority Species? No
The Australian government's Threatened Species Action Plan 2022-2032 selected over 100 priority species derive from consultation with threatened species experts and the wider community. While all species are important, focusing on a limited number of species can help target effort and resources so that outcomes can be achieved, measured and shared.
Description
The Ghost Bat is the largest microchiropteran (microbat) bat in Australia as well as Australia's only carnivorous bat. They currently occupy habitats ranging from the arid Pilbara to tropical savanna woodlands and rainforests. During the daytime they roost in caves, rock crevices and old mines. Ghost bats disperse widely when not breeding, but concentrate in a relatively few roost sites when breeding.
Threats
The threats to the Ghost Bat is habitat loss and disturbance to roost sites due to mining and modification of to breeding sites and foraging habitat. There is also evidence of these bats being poisoned from feeding on cane toads.
Quollity Conservation Hub's Vulnerability Score:
32
To help compare the relative vulnerability of different species, we have developed a scoring system based on biological and ecological characteristics that influence a species' ability to survive and recover from environmental change and natural disasters.
The framework is adapted from assessment methods used by conservation experts following the Black Summer bushfires to help identify species most in need of conservation action, research, and recovery funding.
Each species is assessed using a range of factors, including its conservation status, lifespan, reproductive rate, habitat and dietary requirements, ability to disperse or recover after fire, and the number and severity of threats it faces.
In general, the higher a species' score, the greater its overall vulnerability and risk of decline or extinction.
Like all conservation assessments, this scoring system is limited by the information currently available. Many threatened species remain poorly studied and receive limited research funding, meaning some assessments rely on the best available scientific knowledge or information from closely related species. As new research becomes available, scores may be updated to reflect our improved understanding.