Paranyctimene raptor, Tate, 1942

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Pteropodidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 16-162 : 116

97.

Unstriped Tube-nosed Fruit Bat

Paranyctimene raptor

French: Nyctiméne rapace / German: Ungestreifter Rohrennasenflughund / Spanish: Paranyctimeno rapaz

Other common names: Green Tube-nosed Bat, Lesser Tube-nosed Bat

Taxonomy. Paranyctimene raptor Tate, 1942 ,

“Oroville Camp, Fly River (about 4 miles [= 6 km]) below mouth of Elavala River), [Western Province,] Papua [New Guinea].”

Nyctimene and Paranyctimene are the only members of the subfamily Nyctimeninae . Exact placement of the subfamily within Pteropodidae is still uncertain. It seems to be close to Pteropodinae, but additional research is needed. Both species of Paranyctimene were previously included under Nyctimene , and some authorities, such as W. Bergmans in 2001, have argued to retain Paranyctimene as a subgenus of Nyctimene . Tentative electrophoretic data performed by S. C. Donnellan and colleagues in 1995 showed that Nyctimene and Paranyctimene were reciprocally monophyletic. Until thorough phylogenetic data are used to resolve this issue, the genera are best considered separate. Paranyctimene raptor is very similar to P. tenax and is often confused with it, and thus, distributional limits between the two have not yet been fully differentiated. Because P. raptor and P. tenax are likely sympatric, all ecological records for P. raptor might have included observations on P. tenax , and thorough evaluation of literature is needed. Monotypic.

Distribution. Presumably found across New Guinea (possibly widespread in N lowlands) and also on Raja Ampat Is (Waigeo and Salawati); distributional limits between this species and the Steadfast Tube-nosed Fruit Bat (FP. tenax ) are uncertain, and thus distribution given here is tentative.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 63-1-93- 4 mm, tail 16- 9-21 mm, ear 10-1-12- 5 mm, hindfoot 10-12 mm, forearm 48-2-54- 4 mm; weight 21- 8-33 g. The Unstriped Tubenosed Fruit Bat is very similar to the Steadfast Tube-nosed Fruit Bat but can be distinguished by its smaller average body and skull measurements and its more delicately built skull, along with some skull and dental differences. Rostrum is short, with long tubular divergent nostrils. Ears are dark blackish brown, occasionally with a few yellow spots on edges, and are somewhat elongated, with bluntly pointed tips and thickened medial edges. Eyes are large, with amber irises, and there is often greenish ring around eyes and darker fur behind nostrils. Dorsal pelage is dark brown, being yellowish brown on head and fading to grayish brown on back of head and darker brown on back. Females are typically lighter overall than males, with slightly orangish hue to back of their heads. Unlike most species of Nyctimene , there is no dorsal stripe down middle of back. Ventral pelage is yellowish white, being more yellowish on flanks, genital region, upper arms, and legs. Wings and uropatagium are uniquely tinged dark lime-green, being browner near dark brown digits. Wings occasionally have some randomly dispersed dark and light spotting. Second digit of wing has a claw, and wing attaches at second digit of foot. Tail is short, black, and wrinkled, and narrow uropatagium connects at base and stretches to calcar at ankles. Claws are black. Skull is deep, mandible is comparatively gracile, and rostrum is short and narrow. Post-dental palate is longer than in Nyctimene but shorter than in the Steadfast Tube-nosed Fruit Bat; sagittal crest is weakly developed; and occipital crest is weak. Dental formula for all species of Paranyctimeneis11/0,C1/1,P 3/3, M 1/2 (x2) = 24. Single lower incisor is completely deciduous, falling out before adulthood; canines and premolars are considerably longer and more slender than in Nyctimene , lower molars are broad and rounded in dorsal view; lower canines replace incisors and are long and powerful; P| is close to C, and next premolar (P,) and is outside tooth row; P, is broad; and P, and M, have separate inner and outer cusps.

Habitat. Primary and secondary tropical moist forests, rural gardens, and swamps. Specimens attributed to the Unstriped Tube-nosed Fruit Bat and the Steadfast Tubenosed Fruit Bat have been recorded from sea level up to elevations of ¢. 1350 m.

Food and Feeding. Feces of Unstriped Tube-nose Fruit Bats from Madang Province, Papua New Guinea have contained native fig ( Ficus sp. , Moraceae ) and introduced piper ( Piper aduncum, Piperaceae ). They feed virtually the way as species of Nyctimene , particularly the Common Tube-nosed Fruit Bat (N. albiventer ).

Breeding. Pregnant females that might be attributable to the Unstriped Tube-nosed Fruit Bat or the Steadfast Tube-nosed Fruit Bat have been recorded in January—February, April-May, and July-September. Females give birth to one young. Lactating females have been recorded in March, May, July-August, and September and young in August and October in Madang Province. This suggests breeding occurs twice a year, with two major birthing periods each year, varying from region to region.

Activity patterns. Unstriped Tube-nosed Fruit Bats are nocturnal and roost by day in vegetation. They are poor thermoregulators; captive individuals exposed to low temperatures entered torpor to conserve energy. Thermal conductance was high for a mammal at 148%; resting metabolic rate of thermoneutral individuals was 87%, which is normal for a mammal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Unstriped Tube-nosed Fruit Bats are largely solitary.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. There is considerable confusion about distributions of the Unstriped Tube-nosed Fruit Bat and the Steadfast Tube-nosed Fruit Bat, but the former probably has a wide distribution across the island and is captured relatively often. Threats to the Unstriped Tube-nosed Fruit Bat are uncertain, but broad-scale habitat destruction is probably a threat, especially because the full extent of its distribution is unknown.

Bibliography. Armstrong & Aplin (2009), Bergmans (2001), Bonaccorso (1998), Bonaccorso & Helgen (2008c), Dawson et al. (2012), Donnellan et al. (1995), Flannery (1995a, 1995b), Helgen (2007a), McNab & Bonaccorso (1995), Pattiselanno (2013), Tate (1942a), Wiantoro (2011).

Figures

95. African Straw-colored Fruit Bat (Eidolon helvum), 96. Madagascan Straw-colored Fruit Bat (Eidolon dupreanum), 98. Steadfast Tube-nosed Fruit Bat (Paranyctimene tenax), 99. Broad-striped Tube-nosed Fruit Bat (Nyctimene aello), 100. Round-eared Tube-nosed Fruit Bat (Nyctimene cyclotis), 101. Mountain Tube-nosed Fruit Bat (Nyctimene certans), 102. Happy Tube-nosed Fruit Bat (Nyctimene wrighiae), 103. Lesser Tube-nosed Fruit Bat (Nyctimene varius), 104. Common Tube-nosed Fruit Bat (Nyctimene albiventer), 105. Dragon Tube-nosed Fruit Bat (Nyctimene draconilla), 106. Demonic Tube-nosed Fruit Bat (Nyctimene masalai), 107. Malaita Tube-nosed Fruit Bat (Nyctimene malaitensis), 108. Umboi Tube-nosed Fruit Bat (Nyctimene vizcaccia), 109. Island Tube-nosed Fruit Bat (Nyctimene major), 110. Philippine Tube-nosed Fruit Bat (Nyctimene rabori), 111. Pallas’s Tube-nosed Fruit Bat (Nyctimene cephalotes), 112. Keast’s Tube-nosed Fruit Bat (Nyctimene keasti), 113. Queensland Tube-nosed Fruit Bat (Nyctimene robinsont)

Distribution. Presumably found across New Guinea (possibly widespread in N lowlands) and also on Raja Ampat Is (Waigeo and Salawati); distributional limits between this species and the Steadfast Tube-nosed Fruit Bat (FP. tenax ) are uncertain, and thus distribution given here is tentative.