Lifespan, longevity, and ageing
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Observations: Little is known about the longevity of these animals, but one specimen was still alive after 10.3 years in captivity (Richard Weigl 2005).
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- Joao Pedro de Magalhaes
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- de Magalhaes, J. P.
Biology
provided by Arkive
Gathering in mixed-sex groups of up to 850 individuals to roost, the Pemba flying fox creates quite a spectacle. The bats remain faithful to their roost (often a group of large, mature trees), returning from feeding trips in huge flocks (2). They feed on mangos, breadfruit, figs, flowers and leaves, and may be the only species on the island that disperses larger seeds, thereby proving essential to those plants that produce them (6). Unlike insectivorous bats (Microchiroptera), they do not use echolocation, instead using vision to locate fruit.
Mating is thought to occur between January and April, with births between June and August (2). The young are independent within three to six months (3).
Conservation
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There are no laws restricting the hunting of bats on Pemba, but hunting is restricted in certain forest areas where the Pemba flying fox is found. A captive breeding programme for the bat was established at Phoenix Zoo, Arizona, USA in 1994 (2).
Description
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With characteristic dog-like facial features, this large fruit bat has chestnut red fur, a black face and black wings. The males are larger and darker in colour than the females (2).
Habitat
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The Pemba flying fox is found in both primary and secondary forest, as well as in graveyards and mangroves (5).
Range
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Endemic to Pemba Island, 40 km off the coast of mainland Tanzania in the Indian Ocean (1). Ninety-four percent of the Pemba flying fox population is found in just ten roost sites (5).
Status
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The Pemba flying fox is classified as Vulnerable (VU D2) on the IUCN Red List 2004 (1) and is listed on Appendix II of CITES (4).
Threats
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By inhabiting graveyards the Pemba flying fox gains some protection, as these are seldom visited due to local taboo. Bats provide a source of protein for the inhabitants of Pemba Island, but they are not hunted on a commercial level. However, as shotguns increase in prevalence, hunting may become more common (2). Deforestation as a result of logging and the conversion of forests to agricultural land also poses a threat to the survival of the Pemba flying fox (5)
Pemba flying fox
provided by wikipedia EN
The Pemba flying fox (Pteropus voeltzkowi) is a species of flying fox in the family Pteropodidae.[2] It is endemic to the island of Pemba on the coast of Tanzania.
Description
The Pemba flying fox has a wingspan of 1.6 metres (5 ft 3 in) and is one of the largest species of fruit bat. It has a fox-like face, tawny fur, orange underparts and black ears, nose and wings.[3] The adult weight is 400 to 650 g (0.9 to 1.4 lb), and the head and body length is 24.0 to 26.5 cm (9.4 to 10.4 in).
Distribution and habitat
The Pemba flying fox occurs only on Pemba, an island about 50 kilometres (31 mi) off the coast of Tanzania. Roosts occur in large trees in both primary and secondary forest, among mangroves, and in traditional graveyards.[1] In the latter the bats are often safe and undisturbed as people seldom visit these places because of taboos. There may be up to 850 bats at a single roost.[3]
Biology
Colonies of the Pemba flying fox roost during the day in large trees, emerging at dusk to forage for fruit such as figs, mangoes and breadfruit. They also eat leaves, flowers, pollen and nectar. Seeds that they swallow pass through their guts and are dispersed to other locations. Young seem to be born between June and August and become independent several months later.[3]
Status
The IUCN lists this bat as being "Vulnerable. Its range is limited to the island of Pemba off the coast of Tanzania and it is traditionally hunted for food. This hunting became unsustainable when shotguns began to be used. Another threat to the bats is the ongoing destruction of their forest habitat.[1]
During the early 1990s there were only a few hundred individuals remaining. Conservation measures implemented by the Forestry Department on Pemba include an education campaign, the establishment of wildlife clubs to protect nearby roosts, and continuous monitoring of the population. Also, the hunting of these bats with shotguns is now banned on most of the island. The local population has been involved in conservation measures and bat-based ecotourism is producing extra revenue for the island. With these measures in place, the number of bats has increased and by 2007 there were estimated to be about 20,000. The population appears to have continued to increase, with numbers nearing 29,000 in 2011.[1]
References
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Pemba flying fox: Brief Summary
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The Pemba flying fox (Pteropus voeltzkowi) is a species of flying fox in the family Pteropodidae. It is endemic to the island of Pemba on the coast of Tanzania.
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