Distribution of the Ghost Bat, Macroderma gigas, (Chiroptera: Megadermatidae) in central and South Australia.

Abstract

Uncertainty about the status of the Ghost Bat, Macroderma gigas, at the southern edge of its range prompted an intensive field search for this species in the rocky ranges of South and central Australia. Known roost sites were exam ined and several previously unrecorded roost sites were located. None of these sites yielded evidence of current occupation. In southern Austra lia the size and extent of cave dung deposits, many of which have been mined for guano, suggest that the species was more common there until a few hundred years ago. There have been no live specimens recorded from South Australia. In central Australia historical records indicate that the species was in low numbers and sparsely distributed at the time of the first visits by naturalists. The small number of suitable roost sites is considered to have been the major factor limiting populations. The results of the recent field work show that the species no longer occurs in the area and that the last roosts were abandoned between 20 and 50 years ago.