Pteropus neohibernicus, Peters, 1876

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Pteropodidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 16-162 : 141-142

146.

Great Flying Fox

Pteropus neohibernicus

French: Roussette papoue / German: GroRRer Flughund / Spanish: Zorro volador de Bismarck

Other common names: Bismarck Flying Fox, Greater Flying Fox

Taxonomy. Pteropus melanopogonvar. neohibernicus Peters, 1876 ,

“Neu-Irland [= New Ireland Island],” Papua New Guinea.

Pteropus neohibernicus is in the griseus species group with griseus , admiralitatum , speciosus , hypomelanus , melanotus , alecto , conspicillatus , pohlei , mariannus , pelewensis , tonganus , ualanus , faunulus , and howensis . Two subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

P.n.neohibernicusPeters,1876—RajaAmpatIs(GebeandMisool),NewGuinea,andBismarckArchipelago.

P. n. hill: Felten, 1961 — Admiralty Is (Manus I).

Descriptive notes. Head-body 234-370 mm (tailless), ear 20-31 mm, hindfoot 45— 78 mm, forearm 165-224 mm; weight 1.1- 5 kg (mean 1-2 kg). The Great Flying Fox is the largest Pteropus , with predominantly golden brown short fur. Muzzle is long, sparsely haired, and dark; rhinarium is black, with shortly tubular nostrils. Eyes are large, with darker, sparsely furred surrounds; irises are brown. Ears are long, dark, pointed, and exposed above. Face is medium brown, and crown is straw yellow. Mantle has longer, reddish golden fur. Back is very sparsely furred for a width of 20 mm or more and brown or yellow-brown. Rump is yellow-brown, black-brown, or reddish. Tibia is dark and unfurred. Chest and belly are reddish brown, with hairs having yellow tipping. Genitals are black. Wing membranes are black, originating high above medial plane. Skull is very large, with long rostrum and obvious sagittal and occipital crests. Canines are long, almoststraight; cheekteeth are peculiarly short and broad, with rounded edges and illdefined cusps, lacking basal ledges, and usually pigmented in shades of reddish brown.

Habitat. Forests and savannas from sea level up to elevations of ¢. 1400 m. Large colonies occur in swamp forests. Of two Great Flying Foxes tracked with satellite transmitters, one remained in mangrove forests and the other stayed in savanna and riparian habitats.

Food and Feeding. Diet of the Great Flying Fox includes fruits of Ficus (Moraceae) , Terminalia (Combretaceae) , and Calophyllum (Calophyllaceae) and nectar from Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) , Cocos (Arecaceae) , and Trema (Cannabaceae) .

Breeding. Most female Great Flying Foxes in a colony on New Britain islands were carrying young in December and half-grown young in June.

Activity patterns. The Great Flying Fox is nocturnal but has been seen feeding during the day. Roosts are high in the tallest trees near coastlines.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Two Great Flying Foxes tracked with satellite transmitters for 62 and 120 days traveled radial distances of 31 km and 73 km, respectively (total distances of 960 km and 225 km). They roost in colonies of thousands of individuals.

Status and Conservation. CITES Appendix II. Classified as Least Concern on The [UCN Red List. The Great Flying Fox is locally common and widespread. It is likely hunted throughout its distribution.

Bibliography. Almeida et al. (2014), Andersen (1912b), Bonaccorso (1998), Breed et al. (2010), Salas et al. (2008).

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.n.neohibernicusPeters,1876—RajaAmpatIs(GebeandMisool),NewGuinea,andBismarckArchipelago. P. n. hill: Felten, 1961 — Admiralty Is (Manus I).