Pteropus anetianus (J. E. Gray, 1870)

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Pteropodidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 16-162 : 150-151

166.

Vanuatu Flying Fox

Pteropus anetianus

French: Roussette du Vanuatu / German: Vanuatu-Flughund / Spanish: Zorro volador de Vanuatu

Other common names: Solomons Flying Fox, White Flying Fox

Taxonomy. Spectrum anetianum J. E. Gray, 1870 ,

“ New Hebrides: Aneiteum [= Aneityum Island, Vanuatu].”

Widely used subspecific name banksiana has been changed for gender agreement. Pteropus anetianus is in the samoensis species group. Well-differentiated subspecies warrant additional taxonomic assessment. Seven subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

P. a. anetianusJ. E. Gray, 1870 — S Vanuatu Is in Erromango and Aneityum (= Anatom). P.a.aorensisLawrence,1945—CVanuatuIs(EspirituSantoandAore)P.a.bakeriThomas,1925—CVanuatuIs(Nguma,Emao,andEfate).

P.a.banksianusSanborn,1930—NVanuatuinBanksIs(Ureparara,VanuaLava,andGauaorSantaMaria).

P.a.eotinusK.Andersen,1913—CVanuatuIsinMaewo(=Aurora),Ambae(=Aoba),Pentecost,Malo,andMalekula(=Malakula)Is;populationsofAmbryn,Lopevi,andEpiIstentativelyassignedtothissubspecies.

P.a.motalavaeFelten&Kock,1972—NVanuatuIs(MotaLava).

P. a. pastoris Felten & Kock, 1972 — C VanuatuIs (Tongoa, Emae, and Shepperd Is group).

Descriptive notes. Head—-body 155-205 mm (tailless), ear 20-26 mm, hindfoot 30- 35 mm, forearm 117-135 mm; weight 346 g (mean). The Vanuatu Flying Fox is reddish brown and highly variable. Muzzle is short, rhinarium is black, and eyes have chestnutbrown irises. Ears are narrowly rounded, and one-half concealed by long fur. Pelage overall is long and woolly. Face and head are dark brown, tipped with paler brown, often with whitish hairs in mustache and between eyes that can extend in some individuals to forehead and cheeks as an ample creamy white mask. Mantle is reddish brown, and margins and shoulders are paler yellowish. Back is reddish brown, and hairs are not adpressed, becoming yellowish brown toward rump. Fur extends along humerus and forearm, and tibia is furred to ankle. Chest and belly are dark brown, grading to reddish brown toward wing membranes. Uropatagium is concealed by long fur at its center. Wing membranes are black and originate from sides of body. Skull is typical pteropine, with moderate basicranial deflection. Laterally, rostrum is short, thin, and tapering; premaxillae are slender; forehead slopes; orbits are large; zygomatic rootis above upper alveolar line; zygoma is arched; braincase is domed; and occiputis salient. Dorsally, rostrum is moderately wide; interorbital width is very narrow; postorbital foramina are tiny; base of long and projecting postorbital processesis very wide; temporal lines join immediately anterior to well-marked postorbital constriction into sharp sagittal crest; braincase is oval; and nuchal crest is very obvious. Ventrally, palate is flat, with posteriorly diverging tooth rows; post-dental palate is long and narrow ending concave; zygomatic arches are wide; and ear region is relatively small, with ring-like ectotympanic. Mandible has sloping symphysis and stout body; coronoid is large and almost vertical; condyle is well above lower alveolar line; and angle is well marked. Upper incisors are long, with strong, broad posterior basal ledge; C' is relatively small, slender, and grooved anteriorly, with strong cingulum; P' is comparatively rather bulky; next premolars are relatively tall, with strong posterior ledge; occlusal outline is oval; M' is rectangular in occlusal outline and long; and last molaris small, with labial cusp. I, is spatulated and much larger than minute I; C, is slender, almoststraight with marked cingulum; P is bulky; cheekteeth are tall, short, and slanted anteriorly, with strong posterior ledge extending anteriorly on lingual side of teeth as broad shelf; M, is smaller than last premolar; and last molar is peg-like, often missing on one or both sides in adults.

Habitat. Vanuatu rainforests.

Food and Feeding. Residents of Mota and Vanua Lava islands indicated Vanuatu Flying Foxes prefer young coconuts and Pandanus (Pandanaceae) fruits. Fruits of Syzygium (Myrtaceae) and Artocarpus altilis ( Moraceae ) and flowers of Barringtonia edulis (Lecythidaceae) also contribute to diets.

Breeding. Male testes size peaks in October—January, and births likely peak in August— September.

Activity patterns. The Vanuatu Flying Fox is somewhat active diurnally and at dusk, presumably to avoid competition with larger Pacific Flying Fox ( P. tonganus ).

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Vanuatu Flying Fox roosts in small, quiet colonies and occasionally in larger colonies of Pacific Flying Foxes.

Status and Conservation. CITES Appendix II. Classified as Vulnerable on The [UCN Red Last. Distribution of the Vanuatu Flying Fox is severely fragmented, and number of locations where it occurs and number of mature individuals are likely declining. High rates of hunting following disturbance by cyclones are threats. It occurs in Vatthe Conservation Area.

Bibliography. Almeida et al. (2014), Andersen (1912b), Baker & Baker (1936), Flannery (1995a), Helgen & Hamilton (2008a), Medway & Marshall (1975).

Figures

161. New Britain Masked Flying Fox (Pleropus capistratus), 162. New Ireland Masked Flying Fox (Pleropus ennisae), 163. New Caledonia Flying Fox (Pteropus vetula), 164. Common Samoan Flying Fox (Pteropus samoensis), 165. Banks Flying Fox (Pteropus fundatus), 166. Vanuatu Flying Fox (Pleropus anetianus), 167. Vanikoro Flying Fox (Pleropus tuberculatus), 168. Temotu Flying Fox (Pteropus nitendiensis), 169. Solomons Flying Fox (Pteropus rayneri), 170. Makira Flying Fox (Pteropus cognatus), 171. Rennell Flying Fox (Pteropus rennelli), 172. Temminck’s Flying Fox (Pteropus temminckui), 173. Gray-headed Flying Fox (Pteropus poliocephalus)

Subspecies and Distribution. P. a. anetianusJ. E. Gray, 1870 — S Vanuatu Is in Erromango and Aneityum (= Anatom). P.a.aorensisLawrence,1945—CVanuatuIs(EspirituSantoandAore)P.a.bakeriThomas,1925—CVanuatuIs(Nguma,Emao,andEfate). P.a.banksianusSanborn,1930—NVanuatuinBanksIs(Ureparara,VanuaLava,andGauaorSantaMaria). P.a.eotinusK.Andersen,1913—CVanuatuIsinMaewo(=Aurora),Ambae(=Aoba),Pentecost,Malo,andMalekula(=Malakula)Is;populationsofAmbryn,Lopevi,andEpiIstentativelyassignedtothissubspecies. P.a.motalavaeFelten&Kock,1972—NVanuatuIs(MotaLava). P. a. pastoris Felten & Kock, 1972 — C VanuatuIs (Tongoa, Emae, and Shepperd Is group).