Identification of bats on traditional market in dumoga district, North Sulawesi

Abstract

Fruit bats are used as food by the Minahasan tribe in North Sulawesi. This is evident in some traditional markets where various species of fruit bats are sold. As a consequence, bats are continually over hunted for human consumption, threatening bat populations. This study aims to identify bat species sold in traditional markets in Dumoga district, North Sulawesi. Field surveys were performed and data collected in three traditional markets namely Ibolian, Imandi, and Dumoga, located nearby the Nani Warta Bone National Park. The collected samples were identified using morphometric measurements and physical characteristics, then analyzed by descriptive method. From these markets were identified and consisted of Acerodon celebensis, Dobsonia exoleta, Neopteryx frosti, Styloctenium wallacei, Rousettus amplexicaudatus, Thoopterus nigrescens, Nyctimene chephalotes, and unknown species. Five of these bat species are endemic to Sulawesi (Acerodon celebensis, Dosonia exoleta, Neopteryx frosti, Styloctenium wallacei, and Thoopterus nigrescens). According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red-List, two species have declined status (Styloctenium wallacei Near Threatered (NT), and Acerodon celebensis Vulnarable (VU)), and one species is threatened with extinction status (Neopteryx frosti endangered (EN)).