Pteropus mariannus, Desmarest, 1822

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Pteropodidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 16-162 : 145-146

155.

Marianas Flying Fox

Pteropus mariannus

French: Roussette des Mariannes / German: Marianen-Flughund / Spanish: Zorro volador de las Marianas

Other common names: Marianas Fruit Bat, Marianna Flying Fox, Micronesian Flying Fox; Japanese Flying Fox (loochoensis); Pagan Island Flying Fox, Pagan Island Fruit Bat (paganensis); Ulithi Flying Fox (ulthiensis)

Taxonomy. Pteropus mariannus Desmarest, 1822 ,

Guam ( USA), Mariana Islands.

Pteropus mariannus is in the griseus species group. Taxa pelewensis , ualanus , and yapensis are often listed as subspecies but have been confirmed as separate from mariannus . Taxonomic status of P. loochoensis by J. E. Gray in 1870 from Okinawa Islands (Ryukyu Islands, Japan) remains uncertain; it is known from just two specimens collected in the 19" century, and it is here considered conspecific with or an extinct subspecies of P. mariannus . Three subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

P.m. mariannus Desmarest, 1822 — S Mariana Is (Saipan, Tinian, Aguijan, Rota, and Guam).

P. m. paganensis Yamashima, 1932 — N Mariana Is (Farallon de Pajaros, Maug, Asuncion, Agrihan, Pagan, Alamagan, Zealandia Bank, and Anatahan)

P m. ulthiensis Yamashima, 1932 — Ulithi Atoll ( Micronesia, Yap State).

Descriptive notes. Head-body 195- 250 mm (tailless), ear 25—26 mm, hindfoot 52-54 mm, forearm 134-154 mm; weight 270-577 g. Males are slightly larger than females. Fur on back is blackish, sprinkled with silvery gray-white hairs. Head, belly, and sides are black-brown, covered with silvery hair. Mantle and neck are creamy white to yellow or russet, and light brown to orange on sides of neck in some individuals. Cap is frosted. Eyes are moderately large, with brown irises. Ears have rounded tips. Wings are blackish brown. Claw on index fingeris well developed. Uropatagium is reduced to narrow membrane along inside of lower limbs. Tibia is hairless. Skull is robust, with long pointed snout, wide zygomatic arches, and sagittal crest.

Habitat. Tropical dry forests, cliffs, strand vegetation, and mangroves. The Marianas Flying Fox often roosts in native limestone and ravine forests.

Food and Feeding. The Marianas Flying Fox feeds on fruits and flowers from at least 23 plant genera, and it contributes to seed dispersal.

Breeding. Female Marianas Flying Foxes reproduce year-round without birth peaks; 7-20% of harem females have small to medium-sized young each month. Litter size 1s one.

Activity patterns. The Marianas Flying Fox is nocturnal. Daytime activities include body care, mating, marking, flying, and climbing to other sleeping places. Males defend roosting territories. Individuals typically fly after sunset to foraging areas and return before sunrise. Roosts are often in upper one-half of emergenttrees. Movements, Home range and Social organization. Marianas Flying Foxes roost in colonies with multiple harems of one male and 2-15 females and bachelor groups and occasionally alone or in small groups. They can move up to 12 km between roosting sites and feedings areas. When colonies were disturbed, they moved 0-6-9- 5 km to new roosts. Status and Conservation. CITES Appendix I. Classified as Endangered on The [UCN Red List (“Japanese Flying Fox” assessed as a separate species P. loochoensis and classified as Data Deficient). The Marianas Flying Fox is threatened by illegal hunting because it is a delicacy on Guam and Northern Mariana Islands. Introduced brown tree snakes (Boiga urregularis) prey on young. Loss of habitat from deforestation and structural changes caused by introduced plant and animal species (e.g. pigs, goats, and deer) are also problems. Typhoons and volcanic eruptions have had significant impacts on populations. There is a recovery plan in Guam, but additional protection including stricter hunting regulations and containment of brown tree snakes (e.g., snake-proofing roosting trees) are needed. Bibliography. Allison, Bonaccorso, Helgen & James (2008), Almeida et al. (2014), Andersen (1912b), Brown et al. (2011), Esselstyn et al. (2006), Flannery (1995a), Gray (1870), Mickleburgh et al. (1992), Pierson & Rainey (1992), Simmons (2005), Tsang (2015), USFWS (1990, 2009), Wiles (1987a, 1987b).

Figures

144. Ornate Flying Fox (Pleropus ornatus), 145. Seram Flying Fox (Pteropus ocularis), 146. Great Flying Fox (Pteropus neohibernicus), 147. Wallacean Gray Flying Fox (Pleropus griseus), 148. Admiralty Flying Fox (Pteropus admiralitatum), 149. Philippine Gray Flying Fox (Pteropus speciosus), 150. Island Flying Fox (Pleropus hypomelanus), 151. Black-eared Flying Fox (Pteropus melanotus), 152. Black Flying Fox (Pleropus alecto), 153. Spectacled Flying Fox (Pteropus conspicillatus), 154. Geelvink Bay Flying Fox (Pteropus pohlei), 155. Marianas Flying Fox (Pteropus mariannus), 156. Palau Flying Fox (Pteropus pelewensis), 157. Pacific Flying Fox (Pteropus tonganus), 158. Kosrae Flying Fox (Pteropus ualanus), 159. Nicobar Flying Fox (Pteropus faunulus), 160. Ontong Java Flying Fox (Pteropus howensis)

Subspecies and Distribution. P.m. mariannus Desmarest, 1822 — S Mariana Is (Saipan, Tinian, Aguijan, Rota, and Guam ). P. m. paganensis Yamashima, 1932 — N Mariana Is (Farallon de Pajaros, Maug, Asuncion, Agrihan, Pagan, Alamagan, Zealandia Bank, and Anatahan) P m. ulthiensis Yamashima, 1932 — Ulithi Atoll ( Micronesia , Yap State).