Pteropus molossinus, Temminck, 1853

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Pteropodidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 16-162 : 138-139

142.

Pohnpei Flying Fox

Pteropus molossinus

French: Roussette de Ponape / German: Pohnpei-Flughund / Spanish: Zorro volador de Ponape

Other common names: Caroline Flying Fox, Pohnpei Fruit Bat

Taxonomy. Pteropus molossinus Temminck, 1853 ,

Pohnpei, Caroline Island, Micronesia.

Pteropus molossinus is in the pelagicus species group. Monotypic.

Distribution. Pohnpei I, Pakin Atoll, and Ant Atoll (Carolines, Micronesia). Current studies cannot confirm occurrence on Mortlock Is, and an old record has proved to be erroneous.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 140- 148 mm (tailless), ear 15-17 mm, hindfoot 31-32 mm, forearm 94-98- 5 mm; weight ¢. 129 g. Greatest lengths of skulls are 40-4— 41- 8 mm. The Pohnpei Flying Fox has yellowish brown eyes and small pointed ears, almost hidden in long fur. Soft woolly fur is reddish brown on back and rump, speckled with some grayish hair. Pelage on head and neck is darker than on body. Face has bright ocherous area between eyes. Males have orange buff tufts of hair on shoulder glands. Wing membranes attach very close together on back. Claw on first finger is well developed. Skull has relatively short and broad rostrum, orbits are small, and zygomatic arches are wide. Palatal ridges are in the pattern 5 + 4 + 2. Inner lower incisors are strongly reduced, and Pis large. C' is very heavy at base, and upper molars are very short.

Habitat. Primary tropical forests from sea level up to elevations of ¢. 770 m.

Food and Feeding. The Pohnpei Flying Fox eats fruits of Pandanus (Pandanaceae) and palms ( Clinostigma sp. , Arecaceae ), and flowers of kapok trees ( Ceiba pentandra, Malvaceae ) and coconut palms ( Cocos nucifera, Arecaceae ).

Breeding. On Ant Atoll, a mating was observed in August. Female Pohnpei Flying Foxes give birth to one young at a time. Unweaned young were found in February, September, and November.

Activity patterns. Activity of Pohnpei Flying Foxes begins just after sunset, but feeding also occurs during the day. They forage in forest canopies.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Pohnpei Flying Fox flies across the sea to reach feeding sites on reef islands several kilometers away. It roosts alone, in pairs, or more rarely in small groups.

Status and Conservation. CITES Appendix I. Classified as Vulnerable on The IUCN Red List. Although populations of Pohnpei Flying Foxes have increased since the 1980s and might be stable now, it is only known from three sites, which means that sudden changes can quickly lead to higher risk status. In the past, excessive hunting for export to Guam was a problem, but such international trade has been banned since 1989. Currently, habitat loss from conversion of forests into agricultural land is the greatest threat. There are records in Pohnpei Watershed Forest Reserve and Ant Atoll Conservation Area.

Bibliography. Almeida et al. (2014), Andersen (1912b), Bruner & Pratt (1979), Buden (1996a, 1996b), Buden et al. (2008), Flannery (1995a), Mickleburgh et al. (1992), Simmons (2005), Tsang (2015), Wiles (1992).

Figures

127. Wallace's Stripe-faced Fruit Bat (Styloctenium wallacei), 128. Mindoro Stripe-faced Fruit Bat (Styloctenium mindorensis), 129. Small-toothed Fruit Bat (Neopteryx frosti), 130. Sulawesi Flying Fox (Acerodon celebensis), 131. Talaud Flying Fox (Acerodon humilis), 132. Golden-capped Flying Fox (Acerodon jubatus), 133. Palawan Flying Fox (Acerodon leucotis), 134. Sunda Flying Fox (Acerodon macklotii), 135. Moluccan Masked Flying Fox (Pleropus personatus), 136. Lombok Flying Fox (Pteropus lombocensus), 137. Little Red Flying Fox (Pteropus scapulatus), 138. Big-eared Flying Fox (Pteropus macrotis), 139. Gilliard’s Flying Fox (Pteropus gilliardorum), 140. Sanborn’s Flying Fox (Pleropus mahaganus), 141. Dwarf Flying Fox (Pteropus woodfordi), 142. Pohnpei Flying Fox (Pteropus molossinus), 143. Chuuk Flying Fox (Pteropus pelagicus)

Distribution. Pohnpei I, Pakin Atoll, and Ant Atoll (Carolines, Micronesia ). Current studies cannot confirm occurrence on Mortlock Is, and an old record has proved to be erroneous.