
Fig 1

Fig 2

Fig 3

Fig 4
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Order : CHIROPTERA
Family : Pteropodidae
Species : Acerodon mackloti
Forearm Length : up to 20 cm
Weight : up to 565 gms
Acerodon mackloti (Sunda Flying Fox) is
one of 5 species in the genus Acerodon, which are all endemic to either the
Philippines or Indonesia. Some species are under threat due to habitat loss
or over-hunting.
Externally, Acerodon bats look similar to the
Pteropus genus,
of which there are around 60 species globally: the difference between these
groups lies in cranial dimensions and dentition.
The Sunda Flying Fox is the least threatened species of Acerodon.
It tends to roost in coastal areas, for example amongst
fig trees. Figs also form part of their diet.
Illustrated here are some images of a huge roost of flying fox at Pulau
Koaba, which lies just 3 km off the coast of Flores, and is adjacent to Rinca Island, the second largest island in
Komodo National Park.
Pulau Koaba, which is also known as Kalong Island (Fruit Bat Island), is a low-lying
circular island of 500 metres diameter: it comprises a
core of taller trees surrounded by dense mangrove. At dusk, the sight of
thousands of bats leaving their roost and heading for their feeding grounds
is a magnificent spectacle.
Figure 1 shows a male bat from this roost: based on the
presence of an orange nape, black head and medium to dark brown underside
this is tentatively identified as a Sunda Flying Fox. Females have much
paler fur.
The Sunda Flying Fox is endemic to Indonesia, and appears to be restricted
to the Lesser Sunda Islands (Nusa Tenggara)
including, from west to east, the islands of Lombok, Sumbawa, Sumba, Flores,
Timor and Alor.
Fig 1 : This male flying fox, with orange-brown collar, is probably a Sunda
Flying Fox.
Figs 2 and 3 : At dusk thousands of flying foxes stream from this colony
located deep inside the mangrove forest of Pulau Koaba.
Fig 4 : The wingspan of this species can sometimes exceed one metre.
All images from Pulau Koaba, near Rinca Island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia.
References :
Kunz, T. and Pierson, E. 1994. Walker's Bats of the World. Baltimore
and London: Johns Hopkins University Press
Mickleburgh, S. P., Hutson, A. M., & Racey, P. A., 1992. Old World Fruit
Bats : An Action Plan for their Conservation. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN.
Thanks to Tammy Mildenstein for her helpful comments.
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