Nesonycteris fardoulisi (Flannery, 1993)

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Pteropodidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 16-162 : 130

125.

Fardoulis’s Blossom Bat

Nesonycteris fardoulisi

French: Mélonyctére de Fardoulis / German: Fardoulis-Blitenflughund / Spanish: Melonicterio de Fardoulis

Taxonomy. Melonycteris fardoulisi Flannery, 1993 ,

“secondary forest near Sesena Village (8°31’S 162°05’E), altitude 100- 9200 m, Makira |= San Cristobal Island], Solomon Islands.”

Nesonycteris is traditionally considered a subgenus of Melonycteris ; however, the two are considered distinct genera here based on their high degree of morphological distinctions, including distinct dentition, pelage pattern, and presence of index claw, and their relatively high degree of genetic differentiation. Nesonycteris woodford and N. fardoulisi are not reciprocally monophyletic, with N. f. schouteni being closest to N. w. woodfordi . Relationship between these two species needs to be addressed with robust molecular and morphometric data. Four subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

N.f.fardoulisiFlannery,1993—SolomonIs(Makira).

N.f.maccoyiFlannery,1993—SolomonIs(Malaita).

N.f.mengermaniFlannery,1993—SolomonIs(VellaLavella,Kolombangara,NewGeor-gia,Vangunu,andRussell).

N. f. schouteni Flannery, 1993 — Solomon Is (Guadalcanal).

Descriptive notes. Head-body 87-96 mm (tailless), ear 11- 9-14 mm, forearm 57- 9- 61 mm; weight 39- 5-54 g. Males seem to be larger than females, with larger canines and more robust heads, and overall pelage of males is darker than females. Subspecies vary in cranial features, overall size, and amount of pink spotting over much of body, with fardoulisi and maccoyi being largest and mengermani being smallest. Head of Fardoulis’s Blossom Batis elongated, and rostrum is long, with tubular nostrils. Ears are relatively short and bluntly pointed; eyes are large, with dark brown irises. Pelage is generally light (females) to dark (males) brown to cinnamon-brown; ventral pelage is somewhat lighter brown drab. Skin on wings, ears (only in subspecies fardoulisi ), face, and feet have variable amounts of bright pink spotting (absent in subspecies maccoyi). Wings are black, with pink digits and variable amounts of bright pink spotting; second digit of wing is lacking characteristic claw of most pteropodids. Uropatagium is completely absent. Claws are brown with white tips. Skull has long and narrow rostrum, with well-developed sagittal crests in males (unlike in Woodford’s Blossom Bat, N. woodfordi ) and long infraorbital canal. Dental formula for all species of Nesonycteris is 12/1, Cl/1,P 53/3, M2/3:02) = 32. | ismissing; P'is larger than M,; and molars and premolars are largely reduced and flattened.

Habitat. Primary montane tropical forests, lowland forests, rural gardens, and disturbed areas. Male and female Fardoulis’s Blossom Bats might forage separately and within distinct habitats because males seem to be found more often in disturbed habitats, but this has not been confirmed.

Food and Feeding. Fardoulis’s Blossom Batis nectarivorous, most likely eating nectar, pollen, and occasionally some soft fruits. It will feed on nectar of Heliconia solomonensis ( Heliconiaceae ), visiting plants in sequential fashion (trap-lining behavior); it is the sole pollinator ofthis self<incompatible plant. It lands on an inflorescence and clings to it using feet and thumb claws. Nectar is taken from open flowers, and pollen is deposited on chin and neck.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. Fardoulis’s Blossom Bat is nocturnal and might roost in foliage.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Fardoulis’s Blossom Bat seems to be solitary.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List (as Melonycteris fardoulisi ). Fardoulis’s Blossom Bat is variably common or rare throughout its distribution. It is found in various disturbed areas and seems to tolerate human disturbance. Habitat destruction from logging and agricultural expansion might be its biggest threats in the future.

Bibliography. Bonaccorso, Helgen & Hamilton (2008a), Flannery (1993), Giannini & Simmons (2007a), Kress (1985), Pulvers & Colgan (2007).

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)

Subspecies and Distribution. N.f.fardoulisiFlannery,1993—SolomonIs(Makira). N.f.maccoyiFlannery,1993—SolomonIs(Malaita). N.f.mengermaniFlannery,1993—SolomonIs(VellaLavella,Kolombangara,NewGeor-gia,Vangunu,andRussell). N. f. schouteni Flannery, 1993 — Solomon Is (Guadalcanal).