PATTERNS OF DISTRIBUTION AND CURRENT PROTECTION STATUS OF THE CARNIVORA, CHIROPTERA AND INSECTIVORA IN SOUTH-AFRICA

Geographic patterns of species richness and endemism in three mammalia n orders (Chiroptera, insectivora and Carnivora) were studied in relat ion to the biomes and existing protected areas of greater South Africa (including Lesotho and Swaziland). Locality data for 21500 specimens representing 124 species were analysed with a geographical information system. Species richness of Chiroptera is high in the savanna biome, particularly in the north-east of the country, owing to the marginal i ntrusion of 14 tropical species. Endemism in Chiroptera is low, howeve r, with only two endemic species in the fynbos and Karoo biomes. The C arnivora display less biome specificity and endemism than the Chiropte ra. Whereas the north-eastern savannas have the highest species richne ss, the transition between the Nama-Karoo and grassland biomes is an i mportant southern African centre of endemism for the Carnivora, partic ularly the smaller species. In addition to being an important centre f or species richness in the Carnivora and Chiroptera, the Kruger Nation al Park is also particularly important for Red Data Book species in bo th orders. The Insectivora display both high species richness and ende mism. Species richness of the Insectivora is greatest in the mesic sou th-east of the country, whereas endemism is most pronounced in the for est and grassland biomes. Differences in biome specificity and endemis m between these orders reflect not only phylogenetic divergence, but a lso variation in body size, vagility and life-history strategies. Most of South Africa's endemics are small mammals and many of them are lis ted in the Red Data Book. Distributions, life-history strategies and t rends in man-induced habitat degradation were used to re-evaluate the protection status of the 124 species. We conclude that at least 11 end emic species are not adequately protected by existing publicly owned p rotected areas and consequently identify several areas which need to b e added to the existing protected area system.