Pohle's fruit bat

Pohle's fruit bat (Casinycteris ophiodon) is a near threatened species of megabat found in the subtropical or tropical forests of Cameroon, the Republic of Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana and Liberia.[1]

Pohle's fruit bat

Near Threatened  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Pteropodidae
Genus: Casinycteris
Species:
C. ophiodon
Binomial name
Casinycteris ophiodon
Pohle, 1943
Pohle's fruit bat range

Taxonomy

In 2014, its taxonomy was revised. While it was previously in the genus Scotonycteris, analysis of mitochondrial DNA showed that it should be placed in Casinycteris to avoid paraphyly of Scotonycteris.[2]

Description

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 tinted and the wings are dark brown. They measure 74-78 millimeters and weigh between 35 and 60 grams.[3]

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
  1. Mickleburgh, S.; Hutson, A.M.; Bergmans, W.; Fahr, J.; Juste, J. (2010). "Scotonycteris ophiodon". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T20059A9140239. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-2.RLTS.T20059A9140239.en.
  2. Hassanin, A. (2014). Description of a new bat species of the tribe Scotonycterini (Chiroptera, Pteropodidae) from southwestern Cameroon. Comptes Rendus Biologies, 337(2), 134-142.
  3. Kingdon, Jonathan. The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals. California: Academic Press, 1997.
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