Desmalopex microleucopterus, Esselstyn et al., 2008

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Pteropodidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 16-162 : 126

117.

Mindoro Pallid Flying Fox

Desmalopex microleucopterus

French: Roussette microptére / German: Mindoro-WeiRfllgelflughund / Spanish: Desmalopex de Mindoro

Taxonomy. Desmalopex microleucopterus Esselstyn et al, 2008 ,

“Mount Siburan, Batong Buhay, Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, Mindoro Island, Philippines, approximately 100 m above sea level (12.83488 N. 120.93028 E).”

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. N Philippines (Mindoro).

Descriptive notes. Head-body 133- 155 mm (tailless), hindfoot 29-34 mm, forearm 97-103 mm; weight 129-156 g. Muzzle of the Mindoro Pallid Flying Fox is long, almost hairless, and whitish brown to pinkish; nostrils are large and divergent; and philtrum is undivided. Eyes are large, with orange irises. Ears are moderately long, pale brown, and narrowly rounded at tips. Body pelage is pale brown, soft, relatively long, and woollier in mantle. Uropatagium is narrow in center, tibia is sparsely furred, calcar is small, and index claw is present. Wing membranes are brown, with white blotches rather uniformly distributed on entire wing and slightly more intensely mottled in white at wingtips. Skull is typical pteropine, with pronounced basicranial deflection. Laterally, rostrum is long and tapering; nasal process of premaxilla is wide and procumbent; orbit is large, and rim is complete, with thin postorbital process joined to spine of thin arched zygoma; and zygomatic rootisjust above upper alveolar line. Dorsally, rostrum is long and rectangular, nasals are salient, paranasal recesses are moderately inflated reaching small postorbital foramina, postorbital constriction is moderately marked, sagittal crest is absent, braincase is oval, and nuchal crest is barely marked. Ventrally, palate is very long and flat; tooth rows are nearly parallel; post-dental palate is short, ending in deep concavity; ectopterygoids are comparatively large; and ectotympanic is annular, very small, and internally sided by ribbon-like entotympanic. Mandible is delicate, with long flat symphysis, thickening caudally; coronoid is relatively weak, long, and sloping, with square tip; condyle is slightly above lower alveolar line; and angle is gently rounded off. Upper incisors are moderately large, with subtle lingual basal shelf; I* is slightly larger; C! is strongly decurved; P' is tiny; posterior cheekteeth are relatively short and rectangular in occlusal outline, with posterobasal ledge and decreasing in height; molars are quadritubercular in appearance; and M* is small, with reduced cusps. Lower dentition has very large, triangular I, with basal lingual ledge, and very small, spatulated 1; C, is strongly decurved, slanted outward, and moderately small; P, is relatively very large, with tall labial cusp; posterior cheekteeth decrease in height and are rectangular in occlusal outline, with posterobasal ledge; and M, is peg-like.

Habitat. Secondary lowland forests and disturbed agricultural areas from sea level up to elevations of ¢. 750 m.

Food and Feeding. The Mindoro Pallid Flying Fox is frugivorous. Seeds of Ficus spp. (Moraceae) , Musa balbisiana ( Musaceae ), and one undetermined Melastomataceae were found in feces.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. Mindoro Pallid Flying Foxes are nocturnal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Not assessed on The IUCN Red List. The Mindoro Pallid Flying Fox is a narrow endemic of lowland Mindoro known from just two localities. It has been commonly found in secondary forests and highly disturbed agricultural areas with patchy forest remnants. This suggests adaptability to modified environments, which might be key for its survival in highly deforested Mindoro. It is likely best categorized as Data Deficient and in need of studies to determine actual status. It was captured in immediate vicinity of Mounts Iglit-Baco National Park, Mindoro.

Bibliography. Esselstyn et al. (2008), Heaney et al. (2010).

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. N Philippines (Mindoro).