Large-eared Pied Bat - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Chalinolobus dwyeri

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Endangered

Profile last updated: 26 Feb 2024

Description

A small to medium-sized bat with long, prominent ears and glossy black fur. The lower body has broad white fringes running under the wings and tail-membrane, meeting in a V-shape in the pubic area. This species is one of the wattled bats, with small lobes of skin between the ears and corner of the mouth.

Distribution

Found mainly in areas with extensive cliffs and caves, from Rockhampton in Queensland south to Bungonia in the NSW Southern Highlands. It is generally rare with a very patchy distribution in NSW. There are scattered records from the New England Tablelands and North West Slopes.

Habitat and ecology

Roosts in caves (near their entrances), crevices in cliffs, old mine workings and in the disused, bottle-shaped mud nests of the Fairy Martin (Petrochelidon ariel), frequenting low to mid-elevation dry open forest and woodland close to these features. Females have been recorded raising young in maternity roosts (c. 20-40 females) from November through to January in roof domes in caves, overhangs, mine adits and concrete structures such as derelict buildings. They remain loyal to the same cave over many years.
Found in well-timbered areas containing gullies.
The relatively short, broad wing combined with the low weight per unit area of wing indicates manoeuvrable flight. This species probably forages for small, flying insects below the forest canopy.
Likely to hibernate through the coolest months.
It is uncertain whether mating occurs early in winter or in spring.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Clearing and isolation of forest and woodland habitats near cliffs, caves and old mine workings for agriculture or development.
Loss of foraging habitat close to cliffs, caves and old mine workings from forestry activities and too-frequent burning, usually associated with grazing.
Damage to roosting and maternity sites from mining operations, and recreational caving activities.
Use of pesticides.
Disturbance to roosting areas by goats
Insufficient understanding of habitat requirements.

Recovery strategies

A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.

Activities to assist this species

Protect known and potential habitat from burning at too-frequent intervals.
Avoid damage to known roosting and maternity sites from mining activities, and from recreational caving by contacting the OEH prior to activities.
Reduce the use of pesticides and consider alternatives where available.
Protect known and potential forest and woodland habitat around cliffs, rock overhangs and old mine workings from clearing and isolation.
Control goats to reduce disturbance to roosting sites

Information sources

Adams, M.D., Law, B.S. and Gibson, M.S. (2010) Reliable Automation of Bat Call Identification for Eastern New South Wales, Australia, Using Classification Trees and AnaScheme Software. Acta Chiropterologica 12(1): 231-245
Churchill, S. (2008) Australian Bats. Second Edition. (Allen and Unwin, Crows Nest)
Department of Environment and Climate Change (NSW) (2007) Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna of the Greater Southern Sydney Region. Volume 2: Fauna of Conservation Concern including priority pest species. (DECC NSW, Hurstville)
Department of Environment and Resource Management (2011) National recovery plan for the large-eared pied bat Chalinolobus dwyeri. (Report to the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Canberra)
Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW (2010) Border Ranges Rainforest Biodiversity Management Plan - NSW & Queensland. (DECCW NSW, Sydney)
Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW (2010) Northern Rivers Regional Biodiversity Management Plan.
Duncan, A., Baker, G.B. and Montgomery, N. (1999) The Action Plan for Australian Bats. (Environment Australia, Canberra, Australia)
Dwyer, P.D. (1966) Observations on Chalinolobus dwyeri (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in Australia. Journal of Mammalogy 47(4): 716-8
Hall, L.S. and Richards, G.C. (1979) Bats of Eastern Australia. Queensland Museum Booklet No. 12. (Queensland Museum, Brisbane)
Hoye, G. A. and Schulz, M. (2008) Large-eared Pied Bat Chalinolobus dwyeri Ryan, 1966. Pp. 531-2 in Van Dyck, S. and Strahan, S. (eds.) The Mammals of Australia. Third Edition. (Reed New Holland, Sydney)
Pennay, M. (2008) A maternity roost of the Large-eared Pied Bat Chalinolobus dwyeri (Ryan) (Microchiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in central New South Wales Australia. Australian Zoologist 34(4): 564-8
Pennay, M., Law, B. and Lunney, D. (2012) Review of the distribution and status of the bat fauna of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. Pp 226-256 in Law, B., Eby, P., Lunney, D. and Lumsden, L. (eds.) The Biology and Conservation of Australasian Bats. (Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales, Sydney)
Pennay, M., Law, B. and Reinhold, L. (2004) Bat calls of New South Wales: Region based guide to the echolocation calls of Microchiropteran bats. (NSW Department of Environment and Conservation, Hurstville)
Threlfall, C.G., Law, B. and Banks, P.B. (2012) Sensitivity of insectivorous bats to urbanization: Implications for suburban conservation planning. Biological Conservation 146(1): 41-52

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Brigalow Belt South	Liverpool Plains	Known	None
Brigalow Belt South	Liverpool Range	Known	None
Brigalow Belt South	Northern Basalts	Known	None
Brigalow Belt South	Pilliga	Known	None
Brigalow Belt South	Talbragar Valley	Known	None
Nandewar	Inverell Basalts	Predicted	None
Nandewar	Kaputar	Known	None
Nandewar	Peel	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Armidale Plateau	Predicted	None
New England Tablelands	Eastern Nandewars	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Northeast Forest Lands	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Tingha Plateau	Predicted	None
New England Tablelands	Walcha Plateau	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Wongwibinda Plateau	Predicted	None
NSW North Coast	Chaelundi	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Coffs Coast and Escarpment	Predicted	None
NSW North Coast	Dalmorton	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Ellerston	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Karuah Manning	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Macleay Gorges	Predicted	None
NSW North Coast	Mummel Escarpment	Predicted	None
NSW North Coast	Tomalla	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Upper Hunter	Known	None
NSW South Western Slopes	Capertee Valley	Known	None
NSW South Western Slopes	Inland Slopes	Known	None
NSW South Western Slopes	Lower Slopes	Known	None
Other State	Jervis Bay Territory	Predicted	None
Other State	QLD	Known	None
South East Corner	Bateman	Known	North of Batemans Bay
South East Corner	South East Coastal Ranges	Known	North of Batemans Bay
South Eastern Highlands	Bathurst	Known	None
South Eastern Highlands	Bungonia	Known	None
South Eastern Highlands	Capertee Uplands	Known	None
South Eastern Highlands	Hill End	Known	None
South Eastern Highlands	Kanangra	Known	None
South Eastern Highlands	Oberon	Known	None
South Eastern Highlands	Orange	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Burringbar-Conondale Ranges	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Lowlands	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Sandstones	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Scenic Rim	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Sunshine Coast-Gold Coast Lowlands	Predicted	None
South Eastern Queensland	Woodenbong	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Burragorang	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Cumberland	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Ettrema	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Hunter	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Illawarra	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Jervis	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Kerrabee	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Moss Vale	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Pittwater	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Sydney Cataract	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Wollemi	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Wyong	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Yengo	Known	None

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