Pohle's Fruit Bat

Taxobox
name = Pohle's Fruit Bat
status = EN | status_system = IUCN3.1
trend =


image_width =
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordo = Chiroptera
familia = Pteropodidae
genus = "Scotonycteris"
species = "S. ophiodon"
binomial = "Scotonycteris ophiodon"
binomial_authority = Pohle, 1943

Pohle's Fruit Bat ("Scotonycteris ophiodon") is a near threatened species of fruit bat found in the subtropical or tropical forests of Cameroon, the Republic of Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana and Liberia. [Mickleburgh, S., Hutson, A., Bergmans, W., Fahr, J. & Juste, J. 2004. In: IUCN 2006. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/20059/all. Downloaded on 29 April 2007. Apr. 29 2007.]

Characteristics

These bats are also known as 'tear-drop' fruit bats because of the prominent tear-like white spots found on both sides of their eyes and on their upper lips. Their fur is tainted and the wings a dark brown. They measure 74-78 millimeters and weigh between 35 and 60 grams. [ Kingdon, Jonathan. The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals. California: Academic Press, 1997.]

Ecology

These bats live in the lowland forests of West and Central Africa, mostly in the lowest level of undergrowth, where they feed on various fruits and flowers.

Conservation

The main threats to this species' habitat include agriculture, mining, logging, and human disturbances such as fire. There are established policy based legislation actions as well as habitat and site-based action in protected areas.

References