Black-bearded flying fox


The black-bearded flying fox is an endangered species of megabat in the genus Pteropus. It is endemic to Indonesia, found on the islands of Ambon, Buru, Seram, Banda, and Yamdena. Currently considered monotypic, it formerly included the Aru flying fox and Kei flying fox as subspecies.

Taxonomy and etymology

It was described in 1867 by German naturalist Wilhelm Peters based on an individual in the collection of Hermann Schlegel.
Its species name comes from the New Latin, which is derived from Ancient Greek "mélas", meaning "black", and Ancient Greek, meaning "beard".
As the genus Pteropus is speciose, it is divided into closely related species groups. The black-bearded flying fox is identifier of the melanopogon species group, which also includes the following species:
Adults weigh approximately.
It is one of the heavier species of its family, based on the few individuals that have been weighed.
The fur is dark red on its brow, face, between the eyes, and under the jaw.
On its head, neck, shoulders, and ventral side, it is bright reddish brown.
Individual hairs are bicolored, with the base of the hair pale and yellowish while the tip is darker.
Its dorsal surface is dark brown, with bright yellow hairs sparsely throughout.
The uropatagium is covered with long, dark brown fur.
Its forearm is approximately long.
Its ears are shorter than its muzzle.
While in many species of bats the wings attach to the sides of the body, in this species, the wings attach closer to the spine.
The legs and forearms lack fur.
The baculum is long.
It has a robust skull compared to other members of its genus.

Biology

It has been observed feeding on the flowers of durian trees.
It is a colonial species, forming roosts of up to 200 individuals.
Colonies are usually, although they have been observed roosting with the Moluccan flying fox, though not in the same tree.
It is a known host of at least one species of mite in the family Gastronyssidae, Opsonyssus asiaticus, which lives in its nasal cavities.

Range and habitat

It is endemic to the Maluku Islands, which are a part of Indonesia.
The only known remaining colony roosts in mangrove forests on Seram Island.
In the past, its range included Ambon Island, Buru, Banda Islands, and Yamdena, though there are no recent observations on any of these islands.

Conservation

In the 1800s, its population was abundant.
It is currently evaluated as endangered by the IUCN.
At present, there is only one colony of this species remaining, and it consists of fewer than 200 individuals.
The species is not protected, and the habitat that supports the remaining colony is not protected either.
From 2016-2049, its population is expected to decline by 50%.
Threats to this species include habitat destruction via deforestation and overhunting for bushmeat.
Because it is a highly-colonial species, it is a popular target for hunters, and its population is vulnerable to drastic decline.