The black-eared flying fox, species Pteropus melanotus, is a bat of the family Pteropodidae (megabats). Also known as Blyth's flying fox, it is found on the Andaman Islands and Nicobar Islands (India), and in Sumatra (Indonesia).[1] A population on Christmas Island, which is critically endangered, has been placed as a subspecies of this population, although it may be a distinct species. Pteropus natalis.[2]
| Black-eared flying fox | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Pteropodidae |
| Genus: | Pteropus |
| Species: | P. melanotus
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| Binomial name | |
| Pteropus melanotus Blyth, 1863
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| Black-eared flying fox range: extant extinct
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| Synonyms | |
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Pteropus edulis | |
Distribution and habitat
editThe black-eared flying fox is native to various island groups in the Indo-Pacific. These include the Andaman Islands, the Nicobar Islands, the Mentawai Islands. It mostly roosts in large colonies in forests near the coast, especially in mangrove areas.[1]
Biology
editThe black-eared flying fox is more diurnal than most bats,[citation needed] emerging from its roosts before dusk and feeding on the fruits and flowers of at least twenty-six species of forest trees at least ten of which are introduced species. A single young is born annually.[1]
Status
editThe black-eared flying fox faces a number of threats. Destruction of its forest habitat reduces the availability of roosting sites and the animal is hunted by man for food. The crushed bones of this species are used in traditional medicine to relieve asthma symptoms. However, it has proved adaptable to changes in diet and now feeds on a number of introduced species of plant. The IUCN has rated this species as "Vulnerable".[1]
References
edit
- ^ a b c d e Todd, C.M.; Dorrestein, A.; Pulscher, L.A.; Welbergen, J.A. (2021). "Pteropus melanotus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T18740A22082634. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T18740A22082634.en. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
- ^ John CZ Woinarski, Samantha Flakus, David J. James, Brendan Tiernan, Gemma J. Dale and Tanya Detto (2014) "An island-wide monitoring program demonstrates decline in reporting rate for the Christmas Island flying-fox, Pteropus melanotus natalis." Acta Chiropterologica, 16.1 (2014): 117-127.