Mauritian flying fox

Mauritian flying fox
Conservation status
Endangered (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Chiroptera
Family:	Pteropodidae
Genus:	Pteropus
Species:	P. niger
Binomial name
Pteropus niger Kerr, 1792
Mauritian Flying Fox range (red — extant, black — extinct)

The Mauritian flying fox (Pteropus niger), also known as Greater Mascarene flying fox or Mauritius fruit bat is a large megabat species endemic to Mauritius and La Réunion.

Description

It can reach a wingspan of 80 cm and therefore is the largest endemic mammal on Mauritius. Its fur is golden.

Ecology

They roost in large groups and are active at dusk and dawn. Their diet consists of fruit and nectar, making them important seed dispersers and pollinators.^[2]

Habitat

It occurs in the forests within the national parks of Black River Gorges, Combo and Bel Ombre. Occasionally it can be also found in fruit plantations which causes conflicts with the farmers.

Threats

The Mauritian flying fox was once widespread on the Mascarenes. On Reunion it became extinct between 1772 and 1801. Their closest extant relative occurs on Rodrigues and is very rare. On Mauritius it was severely affected by deforestation and hunting. Even in 1974, 1000 specimens where shot annually.^[3] A cyclone devastated the population which slowly recovered to an estimated 20,000 animals in 2006. Currently, the population is regarded as stable by the IUCN, however, in September 2006 the Government of Mauritius decided to initiate culling of animals which is controversially discussed as it may leave the species vulnerable to extinction.^{[citation needed]}. In an effort to rescue the species, the Organization for Bat Conservation has included the bat in an international conservation project.

References

1. ^ Jenkins, R.K.B., Tatayah, V. & Racey, P.A. (2008). "Pteropus niger". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2010.4. International Union for Conservation of Nature. http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/18743. Retrieved May 28, 2011. 
2. ^ Nyhagen, Dorte Friis; Stephen David Turnbull, Jens Mogens Olesen, Carl G. Jones (2005). "An investigation into the role of the Mauritian flying fox, Pteropus niger, in forest regeneration". Biol. Conserv. 122 (3): 491–497. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2004.08.012. http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=16403073. 
3. ^ Chiroptera Specialist Group (1996). Pteropus niger. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 05 September 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is listed as vulnerable.