Southern Bent-wing Bat (Southern)
Miniopterus orianae bassanii
Australia's Threatened Species Category
Critically Endangered
Listed since: 14/06/2021
IUCN's Threatened Species Category
Not Listed
Listed since: 0/01/1900
Population trend: 0
Other names: None
Priority Species? Yes
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 Southern Bent-wing Bat is an insectivorous, cave-dwelling bat and is found from south-eastern South Australia to south-western Victoria. Southern Bent-wing Bats have been recorded living up to 22 years of age. They predominantly roost in limestone caves with their diet mainly consisting of moths.
Threats
A range of threats have been identified as potentially impacting on the Southern Bent-wing Bat with the most important are likely to be destruction and disturbance of roost sites (particularly maternity sites) and declining extent and quality of foraging habitat. An emerging threat is the likely introduction of White-nose Syndrome to Australia, which is predicted to severely impact the Southern Bent-wing Bat across its entire distribution.
Quollity Conservation Hub's Vulnerability Score:
37
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.