Data from: Using acoustic monitoring to assess insectivorous bat richness and activity in a sub-tropical savanna

Understanding insectivorous bat diversity and activity is crucial for conservation efforts, particularly in under-researched regions like sub-tropical savannas. This study aimed to assess bat species richness and seasonal activity in the MalaMala Game Reserve, located in the southern region of the Greater Kruger National Park (KNP), South Africa. We conducted acoustic monitoring using ultrasonic detectors over two distinct seasons: the wet season (January to March) and the dry season (August) in 2022. Species identification was performed using Kaleidoscope software, complemented by manual verification to minimize misidentifications, particularly for species with overlapping echolocation characteristics. Our findings revealed 16 species across six families, representing 40% of the bat species known in KNP. The Molossidae family was the most dominant, followed by Vespertilionidae, while the Hipposideridae family recorded the fewest calls, likely due to their high-frequency echolocation calls that attenuate rapidly. Notably, our findings aligned with previous research indicating year-round presence of insectivorous bats in savanna woodlands. Seasonal variations in bat activity were observed, with significantly higher activity during the wet season, likely due to increased insect abundance and reduced thermoregulatory costs. Our study provides a critical benchmark for future bat research in the Greater KNP landscape, highlighting the importance of continued monitoring to detect changes in bat populations and inform conservation strategies.