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Order : CHIROPTERA
Family : Pteropodidae
Species : Acerodon jubatus
Forearm Length : up to 20 cm
Weight : up to 1200 gms
Acerodon jubatus
(Golden-crowned Flying Fox, Golden-capped Fruit Bat) is a large species of
flying fox endemic to the islands of the Philippines. It is widespread in
its overall distribution, but roosts are separated by great distances. A
total population of 10,000 is roughly estimated. (Mildenstein & Pangutalan,
2016).
In 2016, IUCN categorised this bat as Endangered
due to significant and continuing population decline (Mildenstein & Pangutalan, 2016).
The apparent variation within the species requires further
taxonomic study.
IUCN report that of the known roosting sites only 3 have any form of
protection from disturbance or hunting; this includes the roosts at Boracay,
Mabukal and Subic Bay. Most roosts contain fewer than 200 individuals.
Ecologically this huge bat depends upon the presence of native forest; roosts
may occur in mangrove and good coastal forest at sea-level, or lowland
dipterocarp forest up to 1100 metres elevation. The loss of good native
forest is one of the factors causing the population decline.
Figs appear to form a good part of the diet of Acerodon jubatus; they
rarely forage in orchards or agricultural areas.
Acerodon jubatus
shares mixed roosting colonies with larger numbers of Pteropus
vampyrus (Large Flying Fox) and occasionally Pteropus
hypomelanus (Island Flying Fox) (Mildenstein & Pangutalan,
2016).
Roost-sharing may be a strategy to increase protection from predation or
hunting. Within mixed roosts Acerodon jubatus tends to occupy
separate trees from bats of other species (Hengjan et al, 2017).
This species can be identified in the field by its bright golden or yellow fur on
top of the head, which extends to the nape.
Roosts of this unique flying fox are still being discovered. In 2023, a new
distribution record was documented near Cotabato City, Mindanao (Jumao-as et
al, 2023).
Figs 1 to 3 : Images from a shared roosting colony of Acerodon jubatus
and Pteropus vampyrus (Large
Flying Fox) at Subic
Bay, Luzon, Philippines. The pale fur on the crown of Acerodon jubatus
can clearly be seen in Figure 1. Photos thanks to Gan Cheong Weei.
Fig 4 : A resting Acerodon jubatus. This example was found hanging from a tree on the outskirts of Davao City,
Mindanao, Philippines. Photo thanks to Gregg Yan.
References :
Hengjan, Y., Iida, K., Doysabas, K. C. C., Phichitrasilp, T., Ohmori, Y.,
& Hondo, E. (2017). Diurnal behavior and activity budget of the
golden-crowned flying fox (Acerodon jubatus) in the Subic bay forest
reserve area, the Philippines. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science,
79(10), 1667-1674.
Jumao-as, C. M., Salvaña, F. R. P., Flores, A. B. A., Eril, S. J. M.,
Yabut, R. F. A., Abler, C. A. C., ... & Cano-Mangaoang, C. (2023). New
Distribution Record of Golden-crowned Flying Fox Roost (Pteropodidae: Acerodon
jubatus) in Timaco Hill, Cotabato City, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in
Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Philippines. Philippine Journal of Science, 152(5),
1847-1850.
Mildenstein, T. and Paguntalan, L. (2016). Acerodon jubatus. The IUCN Red
List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T139A21988328.
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