Madagascar flying foxes, Pteropus rufus, are endemic to the Island of Madagascar, off the Southeast coast of Africa. At over 594,000 sq km, Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world. It contains a great diversity of habitats and species. A narrow strip along the east coast contains most of the island's rainforest and is where the majority of Madagascar flying foxes can be found.
Biogeographic Regions: ethiopian (Native )
Other Geographic Terms: island endemic
Pteropus rufus consumes mainly liquids, consisting mostly of juice extracted from fruit pulp. Fruit is chewed and the pulp pressed against the ridged palate so that the juice can be extracted. Bats spit out the remaining dry matter, containing seeds and pulp, in the form of pellets. Examination of fecal material indicates that the bats also consume pollen and leaves, presumably to make up for the low protein levels available in fruit. When presented with insects such as meal worms or crickets, the bats will occasionally eat them.
The diet of P. rufus at the Berenty reserve is narrow, containing only 17 plant species. At Sainte Luce, the diet of P. rufus consists of 40 endemic species. Agave sisalana was present in 84% of bat fecal samples. A little under 66% of the feces was produced from fruit, about 25% from leaves, and the remainder from pollen.
The digestive tract is simple and food takes an average of only half an hour to pass through the gut. These bats have a rather high-energy requirements and may eat at least the equivalent of their own body mass each night. Fruit bats, including Pteropus rufus, are the primary means of seed dispersal and potentially an important pollinator for many tropical plant species. In 92% of germination trials, bat-passed seeds had the highest percentage germination and fastest rate of germination, compared with seeds from ripe fruits or those having passed through the guts of other frugivores.
The role of P. rufus in pollination is inferred from the presence of pollen on the head and thorax of bats, as well as that found in their feces.
Animal Foods: insects
Plant Foods: leaves; seeds, grains, and nuts; fruit; nectar; pollen
Primary Diet: herbivore (Frugivore )
Generally, fruit bats are the primary means of seed dispersal for many tropical plant species. Bats are particularly important in oceanic island ecosystems where they are often the only flying animals big enough to transport larger seeds. Pteropus rufus feeds on a wide variety of fruit, which makes this species an important seed disperser for a large number and diverse set of endemic plant species of the littoral forest. According to Bollen, P. rufus compared to other frugivores in the littoral is the only one capable of long distance seed dispersal, since foraging may occur up to 50 km away from the roost site. This allows these bats to bridge gaps between isolated forest fragments.
Ecosystem Impact: disperses seeds; pollinates
Mutualist Species:
The people of Madagascar benefit from the bats by using them for food; the bats have been hunted by humans for many generations. People also profit from large bats by selling them at local markets. These bats also benefit local people by dispersing seeds of many fruit trees.
Positive Impacts: food ; research and education; produces fertilizer; pollinates crops
These animals are not known to impact humans negatively, except that they may occasionally raid fruit crops.
Negative Impacts: crop pest
Pteropus rufus populations are diminishing at a steady pace due to over-hunting for both the bush-meat trade and subsistence food. These bats are caught when feeding in sisal plantations, and can be purchased in local markets.
Raptors, such as Madagascar harrier hawks, can potentially be a threat to the bats. When disturbed by raptors, these bats often fly away. Within the Berenty reserve, dead bats marked by talons have been found around hawk nests. After comparing the various raptor species within the reserve, it was determined that Madagascar harrier hawks had taken the bats. Goodman states that Harrier hawks exploit P. rufus roosts at the Berenty reserve for young bats that drop to the ground or become isolated from their mothers. They also occasionally feed upon adults.
Known Predators:
Pteropus rufus is the largest bat in Madagascar. Nose and ears are long and pointed, the eyes are large, and there is no obvious tail. The skin is dark-brown at the lower surface, and yellowish brown on the top surface. The front of the head and throat are seal-brown, with the back of the head showing yellowish-brown coloration. Around the neck this species is yellowish- to reddish-brown. The wingspan is approximately 1 m.
Males and females look similar, but differ in size, with adult males ranging from 526 to 750 g and adult females ranging from 500 to 645 g. Lengths of 24.3 to 25.2 cm have been reported.
Range mass: 500 to 750 g.
Range length: 24.3 to 25.2 cm.
Range wingspan: 122 to 125 cm.
Sexual Dimorphism: male larger
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Information on the longevity of this species is scant. According to the Lubee Bat Conservancy, Pteropus species can live for approximately 30 years in captivity. The Lubee Foundation has a unique collection of species housed in captivity which includes the largest (1.2 kg, Pteropus vampyrus) and the smallest (180 g, Pteropus pumilus) species of the genus Pteropus. Observation of other Pteropus species held in captivity indicate that individuals typically live between 9 and 17 years. Pteropus rufus is probably like other members of the genus in terms of lifespan.
Average lifespan
Status: wild: 30 years.
Typical lifespan
Status: captivity: 9 to 17 years.
Roost sites of P. rufus are frequently found along the coastal lowlands of Madagascar. The coast line includes a narrow strip of humid littoral forests, with low elevation from sea level up to 800 m. This littoral forest of eastern Madagascar has been shrinking rapidly since the island was first colonized by humans 2,000 years ago. The forest now exists as isolated fragments, all of which are under constant and increasing pressure from local inhabitants. These specialized humid forests have adapted to the sandy substrates within several kilometers of the shoreline. They have long been recognized as a particularly important center of endemism and biodiversity, with hundreds of species of vertebrate animals and perhaps thousands of species of plants that are strictly endemic to this region, including P. rufus.
Range elevation: sea level to 800 m.
Habitat Regions: tropical ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: rainforest
Other Habitat Features: agricultural
According to the IUCN red list, P. rufus previously was listed as Lower Risk, least concern in 1996. Improved information since then has resulted in the species being reassessed as Vulnerable. Habitat has declined by 20 to 50% over the last 20 years due to deforestation. In addition to habitat loss and degradation, the species is hunted for food, traditional medicine, and sport. The combination of these threats has resulted in a decline of by 30% in population size over the last three bat-generations (15 years). Continued hunting pressure is expected to result in a further decrease of at least 30% over the next 15 years
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: vulnerable
These animals use all modes of communication at various times. Tactile communication occurs between mothers and their offspring as well as between mates. Males mark their territories with scents, and use scent cues in females to determine their estrus condition.
Unlike most bats, P. rufus does not rely on ecolocation as their primary means of communication or locomotion. Pteropus rufus mainly uses scent and sound to distigush other roost mates. They also can use sight or polarized light to move about the forest at night. According to a 1995 honors thesis by M. Wells from the University of Aberdeen, P. rufus has 6 distinct calls decribed as a squawk, male whinny, female whinny, chatter, squak, and a honk.
Communication Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
Other Communication Modes: scent marks
Perception Channels: visual ; polarized light ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
Habitat loss, hunting and agricultural/urban disturbance are the most serious and common threats to P. rufus. An increasing human population is rapidly decreasing the available habitat, as the native forests are cleared for agriculture and trees are used for timber and firewood. Forest loss is mainly due to slash-and-burn agriculture, which results in thousands of hectares of forest loss per year. It is estimated that about 90% of Madagascar's original vegetation has been lost. In many deforested areas the degraded landscape is now dominated by savanna-type grassland and in central and western Madagascar these prairies are burnt annually for cattle grazing. This barren habitat cannot support fruit bats, which require tall trees for roosting and forested areas for feeding. Consequently, loss of suitable habitat is cited as the main cause of roost desertion and localized extinctions, after disturbance due to hunting, for P. rufus. The most popular methods of hunting are traditional and not thought to cause serious damage to populations, however, shotguns are used at most of the known roosts and cause quite considerable destruction.
Mating appears to be either polygynous or polygynandrous. At the beginning of the mating season, males mark territories with scent. They do this by rubbing their chins and necks along branches and twigs. Male genitals become larger at this time.
Males smell females as soon as they enter the roost to check their estrus status. Mating takes place while hanging upside-down from tree branches. Males will approach females from behind, grab them by the scruff of the neck using their jaws, and attempt to pin the female's wings.
Mating System: polygynous ; polygynandrous (promiscuous)
Females typically give birth once per year, around October, to a single offspring. Occasionally, females can give birth to twins. The birth weight of each offspring is around 13 to 17% of the adult's body weight. The female's gestation period is about 100 to 150 days and delayed implantation of the fertilized ovum is possible. Nursing of the offspring last for the first 4 to 5 months. For its body size, this species has a slow reproductive rate, with young not reaching reproductive maturity until 1.5 to 2 years.
Breeding interval: This species breeds annually.
Breeding season: Breeding occurs from April to May.
Range number of offspring: 1 to 2.
Average number of offspring: 1.
Range gestation period: 100 to 150 days.
Range time to independence: 4 to 5 months.
Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 1.5 to 2.0 years.
Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 1.5 to 2.0 years.
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization ; viviparous ; delayed implantation
After a 100 to 150 day gestation period, female P. rufus give birth to one or two offspring around October. Nursing occurs for the first 4 to 5 months. For the genus Pteropus, offspring can be considered independent when they weigh 50% or more of their parents’ weight. The young bats typically stay within their natal social groups.
Sources have not provided any information on the various forms of parental investment by P. rufus. Females necessarily provide their young with milk and protection, but the role of males is less well understood. Information on the parental investment of the family Pteropodidae is also limited.
Parental Investment: altricial ; pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); post-independence association with parents
La guineu voladora de Madagascar (Pteropus rufus) és una espècie de ratpenat de la família dels pteropòdids. És endèmica de Madagascar, on és una de les espècies de ratpenats més comunes. El seu hàbitat natural són els boscos fragmentats, les illes petites i els manglars. Està amenaçada per la caça i la desforestació.[1]
La guineu voladora de Madagascar (Pteropus rufus) és una espècie de ratpenat de la família dels pteropòdids. És endèmica de Madagascar, on és una de les espècies de ratpenats més comunes. El seu hàbitat natural són els boscos fragmentats, les illes petites i els manglars. Està amenaçada per la caça i la desforestació.
Der Rote Flughund[1] (Pteropus rufus) ist eine Art der Flughunde, die auf Madagaskar vorkommt. Der teilweise verwendete zweite deutsche Trivialname, Madagaskar-Flughund, kann verwirrend sein, da mit Eidolon dupreanum und Rousettus madagascariensis noch zwei weitere Flughunde endemisch auf der Insel leben.
Der Rote Flughund ist der größte Vertreter der Flughunde auf Madagaskar. Er erreicht eine Kopf-Rumpf-Länge von 23,5 bis 27 cm und eine Flügelspannweite von 100 bis 125 cm. Der Schwanzansatz ist äußerlich nicht sichtbar und das Gewicht beträgt 500 bis 750 Gramm. Markant sind die lange Schnauze und die großen Ohren, welche dem Kopf ein hunde- oder fuchsähnliches Aussehen geben. Das Fell hat auf der Oberseite eine dunkelbraune und auf der Bauchseite eine gold- bis rotbraune Farbe.[2]
Die Art besiedelt Madagaskar fast vollständig. Sie fehlt nur in der Nähe großer Siedlungen und in den zentralen Gebieten der Insel. Die Ruheplätze liegen meist in kleinen Baumgruppen, in höher gelegenen Wäldern oder in Mangrovenwäldern.[3]
Die einzelnen Exemplare bilden große Gruppen mit teilweise über 1.000 Tieren, die sich am Tage in hohen Bäumen ausruhen. Sie öffnen ab und an ihre Flugmembran zur Temperaturregulierung.[2] Nähert sich ein Feind der Gruppe, fliegt diese nach einem Warnruf zu einem sicheren Platz. Die Nahrungssuche erfolgt allgemein in der Nacht. Dazu fliegen die Flughunde meist länger als 17 km und maximal bis zu 35 km.[3] Bei diesen kurzen Wanderungen teilt sich die Gruppe oft in kleinere Einheiten. Zur Orientierung dient hier vor allem das ausgezeichnete Sehvermögen und in geringem Maße auch die Echoortung.[2]
Früchte stellen den Hauptteil der Nahrung dar. Weiterhin werden Nektar, Blumen, Pollen und geringe Mengen Blätter gefressen.[3] Der Rote Flughund ist wichtig für die Bestäubung verschiedener Pflanzenarten.[2]
Zwischen April und Mai etablieren die dominanten Männchen ein Revier, wo sie sich mit den Weibchen paaren. Die Weibchen gebären im Oktober ein oder selten zwei Jungtiere.[2]
Die Art ist ein gewöhnliches Jagdwild für madagassische Jäger. Der Flughund wird hauptsächlich wegen seines Fleisches gejagt. Obwohl die gesetzliche Jagd auf den Zeitraum Mai bis August begrenzt ist, kommt vermutlich in den übrigen Monaten Wilderei vor. Plantagenbesitzer betrachten den Flughund als Schädling und erlegen einzelne Exemplare oder fällen geeignete Ruhebäume. Der Rote Flughund wird deshalb von der IUCN als gefährdet (vulnerable) gelistet.[3]
Einziger europäischer Halter ist ein Zoo in GB.[4]
Der Rote Flughund (Pteropus rufus) ist eine Art der Flughunde, die auf Madagaskar vorkommt. Der teilweise verwendete zweite deutsche Trivialname, Madagaskar-Flughund, kann verwirrend sein, da mit Eidolon dupreanum und Rousettus madagascariensis noch zwei weitere Flughunde endemisch auf der Insel leben.
The Madagascan flying fox, Madagascar flying-fox, or Madagascar fruit bat (Pteropus rufus) is a species of megabat in the genus Pteropus. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are diverse, and include moist lowland forests, dry forests, succulent woodlands, and spiny thickets, and mangroves. It eats figs and other fruits, flowers, and leaves. It is threatened by habitat loss.[1]
This is the largest bat in Madagascar, with a body length of 23.5–27 cm (9.1–10.5 in), a wingspan of 100–125 cm (39–49 in), and a body weight of 500–750 g (1.1-1.65 lb).[2] Madagascan flying fox species have a brown color and the area on their chest and shoulders have a golden to slightly dark brown color. Its wings have a grey to black color, and both male and female Madagascan flying foxes look alike in appearance, but it is noted that the male has a slightly larger head than the females.[3]
The Madagascan flying fox roosts during the day in large trees in colonies of up to 1000 individuals although 400 is a more normal number. The bats are noisy and easily disturbed, and if roused, the whole colony may move off to an alternative roost site. Most roosts are in isolated trees in degraded areas.
The diet mainly consists of fruit juice which is squeezed from the fruit in the mouth. In the process many seeds are swallowed and dispersed to other areas as they pass through the animal's gut. Other tree products are also eaten, including leaves, flowers and nectar. It has been observed to visit the flowers of the kapok tree Ceiba pentandra and it is believed to pollinate this tree.[4]
The Madagascan flying fox is one of the most common bat species on Madagascar and is found in all parts of the island except the central highland region, ranging from sea level to 1,200 meters elevation.[1]
In its Red List of Threatened Species, the IUCN has classified this bat as "Vulnerable". Its numbers appear to be declining and the greatest threat it faces is being hunted for bushmeat. Under Madagascar law, hunting this species is only permitted between the months of May and August. It is targeted both at its roosting sites and at the trees where it feeds, and the harvesting in many areas is believed to be unsustainable. It is taken as a subsistence food and also commercially. Besides this, it is threatened by loss of habitat as woodland is converted to agricultural land. This bat is present in only a few protected areas and in these it should receive some protection from hunting.[1]
The Madagascan flying fox, Madagascar flying-fox, or Madagascar fruit bat (Pteropus rufus) is a species of megabat in the genus Pteropus. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are diverse, and include moist lowland forests, dry forests, succulent woodlands, and spiny thickets, and mangroves. It eats figs and other fruits, flowers, and leaves. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Pteropus rufus, también llamado zorro volador de Madagascar, es un murciélago frugívoro perteneciente a la familia Pteropodidae, género Pteropus. Es endémico de Madagascar. Su hábitat natural son los bosques tropicales o subtropicales. Se alimenta principalmente de fruta, flores, néctar y hojas. Sus poblaciones están disminuyendo por pérdida del hábitat y caza por el hombre. Mide entre 23 y 27 cm de largo, de 100 a 125 cm de envergadura y pesa entre 500 y 750 g.[1][2]
Pteropus rufus, también llamado zorro volador de Madagascar, es un murciélago frugívoro perteneciente a la familia Pteropodidae, género Pteropus. Es endémico de Madagascar. Su hábitat natural son los bosques tropicales o subtropicales. Se alimenta principalmente de fruta, flores, néctar y hojas. Sus poblaciones están disminuyendo por pérdida del hábitat y caza por el hombre. Mide entre 23 y 27 cm de largo, de 100 a 125 cm de envergadura y pesa entre 500 y 750 g.
Pteropus rufus Pteropus generoko animalia da. Chiropteraren barruko Pteropodidae familian sailkatuta dago.
Pteropus rufus Pteropus generoko animalia da. Chiropteraren barruko Pteropodidae familian sailkatuta dago.
Pteropus rufus, le Renard volant de Madagascar[1],[2],[3] ou le Renard volant malgache[3] ou le Renard volant roux[3] ou la Roussette marron[4] ou la Roussette rougeâtre[3] ou la Roussette de Madagascar[5], est une espèce de chauve-souris.
Pteropus rufus est endémique de Madagascar[6].
Cette chauve-souris se rencontre principalement sur les petites îles et les zones côtières de basse altitude[6] et est assez inhabituelle dans la zone du plateau central de Madagascar[7].
Chez Pteropus rufus, les mâles pèsent de 650 à 750 g et les femelles de 500 à 550 g[8]. Ce mammifère volant est l'une des chauves-souris les plus grandes au monde[9] avec un corps de 25 cm[9] et une envergure de 0,8 à 1 m[10],[9].
Pteropus rufus présente les caractéristiques générales du genre Pteropus avec une tête longue et étroite, conique, terminée par un museau fin, rappelant celui d'un chien[10], sur les côtés duquel s'ouvrent les narines[11]. Les oreilles sont longues et glabres[10].
La membrane inter-fémorale est très peu étendue[11]. Les ailes sont typiques des chauves-souris frugivores avec le second doigt onguiculé[11],[12]. Il présente la particularité de ne pas posséder de queue[10],[9].
La denture présente un total de 34 dents réparties en quatre incisives verticales supérieures et inférieures, deux canines supérieures et inférieures assez fortes, dix molaires supérieures et douze molaires inférieures[11],[12]. La première pré-molaire est très petite et manque parfois (32 dents)[11].
Le pelage des parties supérieures est brun foncé[4],[13]. Le cou, le dessus de la tête et les parties inférieures sont roux[4] à jaune orangé[13] ou jaune doré[10]. Le museau est noir[4].
Pteropus rufus se rassemblent la journée suspendus tête en bas par grappes[10] à des branches d'arbres dans des dortoirs[6].
Pteropus rufus est une espèce végétarienne généraliste. Elle consomme de 59 à 65 % de fruits et notamment de gros fruits, de 17 à 35 % de fleurs et de 6 à 18 % de feuilles. Il est particulièrement friand des fruits de Tamarindus indica et des fleurs d'Agave rigidana (espèce introduite à Madagascar) qui peuvent constituer jusqu'à 90 % de son régime alimentaire[6]. D'autres plantes comme Ficus guatteriaefolia, Syzigium sp., Terminalia fatraea, Uapaca thouarsii et Uapaca littoralis ont également une place importante dans le régime alimentaire de Pteropus rufus[14].
Pteropus rufus s'accouple généralement en avril et en mai et la naissance d'un seul petit[9] a lieu en octobre[15],[9].
Le renard volant de Madagascar aide à la dispersion des graines des plantes qu'il consomme[16],[14].
Le renard volant malgache est l'une des proies du faucon Polyboroides radiatus[17].
La paternité de Pteropus rufus a fait l'objet d'une controverse taxinomique. Certains, considérant que les noms décrits dans le Catalogue des mammifères du Muséum National d'Histoire naturelle d'Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire publié en 1803 n'étaient pas disponibles, ont attribué cette paternité à Friedrich Tiedemann (1808)[18]. Le travail d'Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire ayant été proposé à l'inscription sur la liste officielle des travaux approuvés et disponibles à des fins de nomenclature zoologique[19] et cette proposition acceptée et publiée par la Commission internationale de nomenclature zoologique[20], la paternité de Pteropus rufus revient à Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire[21].
Pteropus rufus pourrait n'être qu'une sous espèce de Pteropus giganteus comme Pteropus aldabrensis, Pteropus niger et Pteropus seychellensis[22].
Les deux sous-espèces de Pteropus listées ci-dessus sont considérées valides par certains[23],[13] alors que d'autres considère qu'il n'existe pas de sous-espèce de Pteropus rufus et placent Pteropus rufus princeps en synonymie[21],[3].
Cette grande roussette est menacée par la perte de son habitat (destruction de la forêt) et par la chasse[24].
Pteropus rufus est potentiellement porteur d'enterobactéries pathogènes pour l'Homme[25]. Cette espèce peut également être porteuse du virus Nipah[26].
Pteropus rufus, le Renard volant de Madagascar,, ou le Renard volant malgache ou le Renard volant roux ou la Roussette marron ou la Roussette rougeâtre ou la Roussette de Madagascar, est une espèce de chauve-souris.
La volpe volante del Madagascar (Pteropus rufus Geoffroy, 1803) è un pipistrello appartenente alla famiglia degli Pteropodidi, endemico del Madagascar.[1][2]
Pipistrello di grandi dimensioni, con una lunghezza totale tra 234 e 270 mm, la lunghezza dell'avambraccio tra 154 e 172 mm, la lunghezza del piede tra 52 e 62 mm, la lunghezza delle orecchie tra 29 e 40 mm, un'apertura alare fino a 1,24 m e un peso fino a 750 g.[3]
La pelliccia è relativamente lunga. Il colore del dorso è marrone scuro, mentre le parti ventrali e la testa sono giallo-ocra. Le spalle sono ocra-arancioni. Il muso è lungo, affusolato e nerastro, gli occhi sono grandi. Le orecchie sono lunghe e appuntite. Le membrane alari sono attaccate sui fianchi del corpo. È privo di coda, mentre l'uropatagio è ridotto ad una sottile membrana lungo la parte interna degli arti inferiori, ma insolitamente più sviluppato nella parte centrale. La tibia è priva di peli.
Specie gregaria, forma grandi colonie rumorose fino a 5.000 individui tra il denso fogliame degli alberi.
Si nutre di fiori di Ceiba, dei frutti di varie specie native di Ficus, Mango, Guava, Papaya e del polline di Agave sisalana.[4]
In accordo alla suddivisione del genere Pteropus effettuata da Andersen[5], P. rufus è stato inserito nello P. rufus species Group, insieme a P. aldabrensis, P. seychellensis, P. niger e P. voeltzkowi. Tale appartenenza si basa sulle caratteristiche di avere una membrana interfemorale molto sviluppata e sulla presenza di un ripiano basale nei premolari.
L'areale di questa specie è ristretto al Madagascar, comprese le vicine isole di Nosy Be e Île Sainte-Marie.[1]
Vive in foreste frammentate, isole lungo la costa e mangrovie, e su alberi di diverse varietà.
La IUCN Red List, considerata la diminuzione della popolazione del 30% negli ultimi 20 anni, dovuta principalmente alla caccia e alla deforestazione, classifica P. rufus come specie vulnerabile (VU).[1]
La volpe volante del Madagascar (Pteropus rufus Geoffroy, 1803) è un pipistrello appartenente alla famiglia degli Pteropodidi, endemico del Madagascar.
De rode vleerhond (Pteropus rufus) is een zoogdier uit de familie van de vleerhonden (Pteropodidae). De wetenschappelijke naam van de soort werd voor het eerst geldig gepubliceerd door É. Geoffroy in 1803.
De soort komt voor in Madagaskar.
Bronnen, noten en/of referentiesDe rode vleerhond (Pteropus rufus) is een zoogdier uit de familie van de vleerhonden (Pteropodidae). De wetenschappelijke naam van de soort werd voor het eerst geldig gepubliceerd door É. Geoffroy in 1803.
Pteropus rufus är en art i familjen flyghundar som förekommer endemiskt på Madagaskar.
Arten är större än de andra två flyghundar som lever på Madagaskar. Den når en kroppslängd av 23,5 till 27 cm och en vinspann mellan 100 och 125 cm. Svansens ansats syns inte ytlig och vikten ligger vid 500 till 750 gram. Huvudet påminner på grund av den långa nosen och de jämförelsevis stora öronen om rävens huvud. Pälsen har på baksidan en mörkbrun och på framsidan en gyllen- till rödbrun färg.[2]
Flyghunden lever nästan på hela Madagaskar. Den saknas bara nära större samhällen och i öns centrum. Viloplatserna ligger vanligen i små trädansamlingar, i skogar och mangrove eller ibland i eukalyptusplanteringar.[1]
Individerna bildar stora grupper med ibland över tusen medlemmar som vilar på dagen i stora träd. De öppnar ibland sina vingar och anpassar sig så till temperaturen. När ett rovdjur närmar sig utstötar de varningsrop och hela flocken flyger en stund till en mera skyddad plats. Födosöket sker främst på natten och de flyger oftast mer än 17 km samt upp till 35 km vid dessa tillfällen.[2][1] Under dessa korta vandringar delar sig flocken normalt i mindre grupper. Orienteringen sker huvudsakligen med hjälp av den utmärkta synen och i mindre grad med hjälp av ekolokalisering. Frukter utgör merparten i födan och dessutom äts nektar, blommor, pollen och några blad.[2][1] Flyghunden är viktig för flera växters pollinering.[2]
Mellan april och maj kontrollerar dominanta hannar ett revir och de parar sig med honorna i territoriet. Honan föder sedan i oktober en eller sällan två ungar.[2]
Arten är ett vanligt bytesdjur för jägare på Madagaskar. Den jagas främst för köttets skull. Den lagliga jakten är begränsat mellan maj och augusti men utanför dessa tider pågår troligen tjuvskytte. Flyghunden dödas även när den hämtar sin föda från fruktodlingar. Bönderna hugger också ner lämpliga viloträd för flughunden. Pteropus rufus listas därför av IUCN som sårbar (VU).[1]
Wikimedia Commons har media som rör Pteropus rufus.
Pteropus rufus är en art i familjen flyghundar som förekommer endemiskt på Madagaskar.
Розмах: 100–125 см. Довжина: 23.5–27 см. Вага 500–750 гр. Це найбільший з трьох ендемічних видів криланів Мадагаскару. Тіло коричневого кольору з більш темними тонами на спині й світлішими, від золотистого до червоно-коричневого тонами на грудях і плечах. Обличчя, тім'я і потилиця також світлі й більш жовтуватого кольору, а крила від шиферно-сірого до чорного кольору. Як і у майже всіх видів Pteropodidae, немає ніякого очевидного хвоста.
Країни поширення: Мадагаскар. Це один з найпоширеніших видів рукокрилих на острові і, здається, тільки відсутній в густонаселених центральних гірських районах. Сідала рідко знаходяться в малопорушених лісах і зазвичай знаходяться в невеликих, і часто деградованих, ділянках лісу, мангрових лісах і священних лісах. Харчування відбувається в первинному та вторинному рідному лісі, а також в людьми модифікованих ландшафтах з переважанням сільського господарства.
Удень спочиває на деревах у великих, гучних групах до кількох тисяч особин. Сідала лаштує дуже рідко всередині незайманих лісів і зазвичай вони знаходяться у фрагментованих або мангрових лісах, а також на малих островах. Температура тіла регулюється крилами. Вночі літають до 34 кілометрів, щоб знайти їжу. Кілька 'розвідники' летять попереду основної групи, щоб знайти придатні дерева, використовуючи їх чудовий зір. Фруктовий сік переважає в дієті, хоча нектар, пилок і листя також вживають. Таким чином, ці крилани є важливими агентами запилення і розповсюдження насіння ендемічних рослин.
Під час шлюбного сезону (квітень і травень), домінантний самець утримує територію на сідальному дереві, щоб виключити інших самців. Самиці народжують в жовтні, як правило, одне маля, але дуже рідко буває двійня.
Серйозною загрозою є втрата середовища існування в зв'язку з швидким темпом вирубки лісу, в поєднанні зі збільшенням тиску полювання. Вид не включений в список охоронних видів відповідно до закону. Тому юридично на вид дозволяється полювати в період з травня по вересень, але це законодавство важко реалізувати, і тому насправді, на P. rennelli полюють і поїдають люди протягом всього року. Є тільки кілька сідал в межах нинішньої системи природоохоронних територій Мадагаскару. Багато колоній захищені, тому що вони ночують у священних лісах (наприклад, на кладовищах), де забороняють рубки дерев або полювання.
Pteropus rufus là một loài động vật có vú trong họ Dơi quạ, bộ Dơi. Loài này được E. Geoffroy mô tả năm 1803.[2]
Phương tiện liên quan tới Pteropus rufus tại Wikimedia Commons
Bài viết họ Dơi quạ này vẫn còn sơ khai. Bạn có thể giúp Wikipedia bằng cách mở rộng nội dung để bài được hoàn chỉnh hơn. Pteropus rufus là một loài động vật có vú trong họ Dơi quạ, bộ Dơi. Loài này được E. Geoffroy mô tả năm 1803.
마다가스카르날여우박쥐 또는 마다가스카르과일박쥐(Pteropus rufus)는 큰박쥐과에 속하는 박쥐의 일종이다. 마다가스카르 섬의 토착종이다. 자연 서식지는 아열대 또는 열대 기후 지역의 습윤 저지대 숲이다. 서식지 감소로 멸종 위협을 받고 있다. 무화과나무와 기타 과일, 꽃 그리고 잎을 먹는다.
마다가스카르 섬에서 가장 큰 박쥐로 몸길이는 23.5~27cm, 날개 폭은 100~125cm, 몸무게는 500~750g이다.[2]
마다가스카르날여우박쥐는 낮 시간 동안 큰 나무에서 최대 1000마리까지 집단을 형성하여 둥지 생활을 하지만, 보통 400마리 정도이다. 시끄럽고 쉽게 교란되며, 둥지에서 일어나면 전체 집단이 다른 둥지로 이동할 수 있다. 대부분의 둥지는 악화된 지역의 격리된 나무 안에 있다. 먹이는 주로 입에서 과일을 으깨서 짠 과즙으로 이루어져 있다. 이 과정에서 많은 씨앗을 삼키고, 박쥐의 내장을 통과하여 다른 장소에 퍼뜨린다. 나뭇잎과 꽃 그리고 꽃꿀을 포함한 다른 나무를 먹기도 한다.
양목면 꽃에서 발견되기도 하며, 이 과정에서 수분(가루받이)을 하는 것으로 추정된다.[3]
마다가스카르날여우박쥐는 마다가스카르에서 가장 흔한 박쥐의 하나로 중앙고원 지역을 제외한 섬의 모든 지역에서 발견된다.[1]
IUCN 적색 목록은 마다가스카르날여우박쥐를 "취약종"으로 분류했다. 개체수가 감소하고 있으며, 직면한 가장 큰 위협은 부시미트를 위한 사냥이다. 마다가스카르 법에서 5월과 8월 사이에만 사냥이 허용된다. 둥지와 먹이를 구하는 나무가 사냥 표적이 되며, 많는 지역에서 채취는 지속불가능한 것으로 간주되고 있다. 생계용과 상업용으로도 채취되고 있다. 그 밖에도 경작지로 전환되는 삼림때문에 서식지 감소로 위협을 받고 있다. 이 박쥐는 아주 일부 보호 지역에서만 존재하며, 사냥으로부터 보호받을 수 있어야 한다.[1]
