Gray flying fox

The gray flying fox (Pteropus griseus) is a species of flying fox in the family Pteropodidae. It is not to be confused with the grey flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus). It is found in Indonesia, but not in the Philippines, despite occasional reference to such.[1] Very little is known about this species. The gray flying fox has small size and neutral coloration with a brownish head and an orange abdomen.[3] It probably roosts individually or in small groups. It was listed on appendix II of CITES, and is classified as "Data Deficient" by the IUCN.[1] This species has been decimated by hunting for bushmeat in Indonesia.[4] The hunters use fishing hooks, ropes, and other supplies to hunt the bats. The ropes and hooks are placed along their flight paths, tearing and ensnaring the bats' wings when are flying. In the course of a hunting season, entire colonies can be killed.[3]

Gray flying fox

Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Pteropodidae
Genus: Pteropus
Species:
P. griseus
Binomial name
Pteropus griseus
É. Geoffroy, 1810[2]
Gray flying fox range

Taxonomy

The species was first described in 1810 by Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, using a specimen obtained on Timor during a French scientific expedition.[2] Geoffroy's assignment of the species to the genus Pteropus has remained current.[5]

Ecology

Specimens of Pteropus griseus have been found to be infested with Cyclopodia horsfieldi, a species of Nycteribiidae fly.[6] Flying foxes have important ecosystem roles as seed dispersers and pollinators because the only extant animals capable of dispersing large seeds within 30mm diameter long distances.[3]

References
  1. Francis, C.; Rosell-Ambal, G. & Helgen, K. (2008). "Pteropus griseus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2008. Retrieved 24 December 2013.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, Etienne (1810). "Description des roussettes et des céphalotes, deux nouveaux genres de la famille des chauve-souris". Annales du Muséum d'histoire naturelle. 15: 86–108 [94].
  3. Sheherazade; Tsang, Susan (2018). "Roost of Gray Flying Foxes (Pteropus griseus) in Indonesia and Records of a New Hunting Threat". Diversity. 10 (3): 102. doi:10.3390/d10030102.
  4. Mickleburgh, S., Waylen, K., & Racey, P. (2009). Bats as bushmeat: a global review. Oryx, 43(02), 217-234.
  5. Simmons, N.B. (2005). "Order Chiroptera". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 312–529. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
  6. Bergman, W. (2001). "Notes on distribution and taxonomy of australasian bats. I. Pteropodinae and Nyctimeninae (Mammalia, Megachiroptera, Pteropodidae)". Beaufortia. 51 (8): 119–152.


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