Rousettus madagascariensis, G. Grandidier, 1929

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Pteropodidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 16-162 : 88

47.

Malagasy Rousette

Rousettus madagascariensis

French: Roussette de Madagascar / German: MadagaskarFlughund / Spanish: Rosetus de Madagascar

Other common names: Madagascan Rousette, Madagascar Rousette

Taxonomy. Rousettus madagascariensis G. Grandidier, 1929 ,

surroundings of Beforona, Madagascar.

Rousettus madagascariensis is closely related to, but clearly distinct from, other African rousettes ( R. aegyptiacus and R. obliviosus ). Monotypic.

Distribution. Madagascar except C highlands and arid SW region.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 119- 143 mm, tail 6~13- 5 mm, ear 13- 5-17 mm, hindfoot 16-19 mm, forearm 66-80 mm; weight 31-81- 5 g. Skull is delicately built, premaxillae are not co-ossified and projected forward, braincase is moderately deflect ed, and alveolar line projects backward passing through upper part of or just above condylus occipitalis or just above foramen magnum. Fur is somewhat longer, denser, and more persistent than that of the Egyptian Rousette ( R. aegyptiacus ). Dorsal hairs and on top of head are light grayish to brownish at their bases and darker brown at tips. Overall color is brown, with reddish brown and grayish hues. Fur is lighter on venter and sparser on neck, shoulders, and throat. Uropatagium is sparsely furred in some zones. Dorsal side oftibia is practically naked. Wings attach between first and second toes. Postorbital width is larger than interorbital width in most specimens, supraoccipital crest is low, and zygomatic arches are slender. Palatal ridges arranged ina 4 + 3 + 1 pattern. Cheekteeth are relatively narrow, with widths of premolars and molars about equal to or slightly longer than one-half their lengths, except for M* and M, in which width is distinctly longer. Diploid number is 2n = 36.

Habitat. Eastern humid forests, western, and north-western dry deciduous forests, plantations and other agricultural areas, and villages from sea level up to elevations of c. 1150 m. The Malagasy Rousette is rare or absent in central Madagascar Highlands and arid south-western Madagascar.

Food and Feeding. Few seeds were found in feces of Malagasy Rousettes, suggesting that they either feed on fruits with seeds too large to ingest or they use other food sources preferentially, such as nectar, flower parts, and leaves. Ficus sp. (Moraceae) seeds were found in feces in March-April, and individuals were captured near fruiting fig trees. Feeding observation in captivity showed that Madagascan fruit bats feed on fruits that they consume by ingesting fruit juice and pulp and spitting out the fiber. They preferred lipid- and calcium-rich fruits, and fruits of no commercial value over commercially important ones. Nectar appears to be an important dietary element; bats have been observed feeding on kapok flowers ( Ceiba , Malvaceae ) and on nectar of banana flowers.

Breeding. Pregnancy and lactation of Malagasy Rousettes coincide with summer and higher food availability. In Maromizaha Forest (eastern Madagascar), pregnancy was recorded in October and December, and lactating females were caught in December—January. Weaning of young occurs at c.8 weeks old and sexual maturity at c.1 year.

Activity patterns. The Malagasy Rousette roosts in caves and rock shelters. Because it occurs in areas far from caves, it might roost at othersites such as tree holes. It is high mobile below forest canopies.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Roosting sites of Malagasy Rousettes can be 8 km from food sources. Foraging routes can include round trips of up to 27 km, according to radio-tracking observations. Colonies range from a few hundred individuals to over a thousand. A genetic study using cytochrome-b and six microsatellite loci surveyed individuals throughout the distribution and found no geographic structure in populations.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Near Threatened on The IUCN Red List. Main threat to the Malagasy Rousette is subsistence hunting that is common in roost caves. Disturbance of caves by tourism and mining activities also are probably threats to colonies. Although Malagasy Rousettes are not strictly dependent on intact forests, impact of forest loss has not been evaluated but might impact their foraging behavior. Presently recorded in six protect areas: Ankarana, Analamerana, and Tsingy de Namoroka reserves and Ankarafantsika, Tsingy de Bemaraha, and Isalo national parks.

Bibliography. Andriafidison et al. (2008a), Andrianaivoarivelo, Jenkins et al. (2012), Andrianaivoarivelo, Ramilijaona et al. (2011), Cardiff et al. (2009), Goodman, Andriafidison et al. (2005), Goodman, Chan et al. (2010), Goodman, Rajemison et al. (2017), Jenkins & Racey (2008), Richards et al. (2016).

Figures

32. Zenker’s Fruit Bat (Scotonycteris zenkeri), 33. Hayman’s Fruit Bat (Scotonycteris occidentalis), 34. Bergmans’s Fruit Bat (Scotonycteris bergmansi), 35. Short-palated Fruit Bat (Casinycteris argynnas), 36. Pohle’s Fruit Bat (Casinycteris ophiodon), 37. Campo-Ma’an Fruit Bat (Casinycteris campomaanensis), 38. Lesser Dawn Bat (Eonycteris spelaea), 39. Greater Dawn Bat (Eonycteris major), 40. Philippine Dawn Bat (Eonycteris robusta), 41. Geoffroy’s Rousette (Rousettus amplexicaudatus), 42. Bare-backed Rousette (Rousettus spinalatus), 43. Leschenault’s Rousette (Rousettus leschenaultin), 44. Linduan Rousette (Rousettus linduensis), 45. Sulawesi Rousette (Rousettus celebensis), 46. Egyptian Rousette (Rousettus aegyptiacus), 47. Malagasy Rousette (Rousettus madagascariensis), 48. Comoro Rousette (Rousettus obliviosus), 49. Long-haired Fruit Bat (Stenonycteris lanosus)

Distribution. Madagascar except C highlands and arid SW region.