Pteralopex pulchra, Flannery, 1991

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Pteropodidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 16-162 : 128

121.

Montane Monkey-faced Fruit Bat

Pteralopex pulchra

French: Roussette de montagne / German: Berg-Affengesichtflughund / Spanish: Pteralopex montano

Other common names: Montane Monkey-faced Bat

Taxonomy. Pteralopex pulchra Flannery, 1991 ,

“ 1,230 m altitude, southern slopes of Mount Makarakomburu (9°44’S 160°01’E),” Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands .

Pteralopex pulchra is closely related to P. taki and genetically distinct in 4% of loci examined. Monotypic.

Distribution. Only known from holotype in montane Guadalcanal I (Solomons).

Descriptive notes. Head-body 161 mm (tailless), ear 16- 8 mm, hindfoot 43 mm, forearm 117- 9 mm; weight 280 g. Measurements from one female on record; males are unknown. Head of the Montane Monkey-faced Fruit Bat is round, with relatively short, stout, sparsely haired muzzle. Eyes are relatively small, with bright red irises (poppy red in life). Ears are very small and rounded with blunt tips, completely concealed in fur; whitish bases are hidden. Head pelage is blackish brown, long, soft, and woolly and continues on mantle, dorsum, hindleg to ankle, and proximal one-third of dorsal forearm. Uropatagium is absent in center, narrow alongside legs, and black; calcar is small; and claws are brown. Chest and belly have long, woolly, yellowish buff pelage. Patagia is dark brown, extensively depigmented giving appearance of wing mottled in white, more so on anterior one-half of wing. Thumb is long; index claw is present. Skull has strong basicranial deflection. Because there is only a single specimen of the Montane Monkey-faced Fruit Bat, information on variation of its cranial and dental characteristics is very limited, but they are probably most similarto its closest relative, the New Georgia Monkey-faced Fruit Bat ( Pteralopex tak ).

Habitat. Primary mossy montane forest with emergent trees ( Metrosideros , Myrtaceae ) and palms and dense understories of ferns and climbing bamboo at proposed elevations of 1200-2500 m.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. The single female specimen known was lactating in May.

Activity patterns. The Montane Monkey-faced Fruit Bat is nocturnal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Critically Endangered on The IUCN Red List. The Montane Monkey-faced Fruit Bat is extremely rare, known only from one specimen captured in 1990. Total population is estimated at less than 50 individuals,if not extinct. Recent surveys failed to find it. Its very restricted distribution could have madeit vulnerable to stochastic events such as cyclones. Hunting and deforestation are limited in montane Guadalcanal, which represents a window of opportunity to conserve the Montane Monkey-faced Fruit Bat if it is rediscovered.

Bibliography. Flannery (1991, 1995a), Helgen (2005), Ingleby & Colgan (2003), Lavery (2018), Parnaby (2002b).

Figures

114. Fijian Long-tailed Fruit Bat (Notopteris macdonald), 115. New Caledonia Long-tailed Fruit Bat (Notopteris neocaledonicus), 116. White-winged Flying Fox (Desmalopex leucopterus), 117. Mindoro Pallid Flying Fox (Desmalopex microleucopterus), 118. Fijizan Monkey-faced Fruit Bat Marimar (: acrodonta), 119. Bougainville Monkey-faced Fruit Bat (Pteralopex anceps), 120. Guadalcanal Monkey-faced Fruit Bat (Pleralopex atrata), 121. Montane Monkey-faced Fruit Bat (Pleralopex pulchra), 122. New Georgia Monkey-faced Fruit Bat (Pleralopex taki), 123. Greater Monkey-faced Fruit Bat (Pleralopex flanneryi), 124. Black-bellied Blossom Bat (Melonycteris melanops), 125. Fardoulis’s Blossom Bat (Nesonycteris fardoulis), 126. Woodford’s Blossom Bat (Nesonycteris woodfordi)

Distribution. Only known from holotype in montane Guadalcanal I (Solomons).