Pteropus Livingstonii Research Articles

A bat on the brink? A range-wide survey of the Critically Endangered Livingstone's fruit bat Pteropus livingstonii

AbstractThe Livingstone's fruit bat Pteropus livingstonii is endemic to the small islands of Anjouan and Mohéli in the Comoros archipelago, Indian Ocean. The species is under threat from anthropogenic pressure on the little that remains of its forest habitat, now restricted to the islands’ upper elevations and steepest slopes. We report the results of the most comprehensive survey of this species to date, and present recommendations for ongoing field conservation efforts and monitoring. Morning counts were conducted at roost sites in the wet and dry seasons during 2011–2013. Habitat structure around the roosting sites was characterized and roost numbers compared, to investigate the potential effect of habitat loss and degradation. We estimate the population to comprise c. 1,260 individuals distributed across 21 roosts on the two islands. All occupied roosting sites were restricted to a narrow altitudinal range, and roosting populations in agroforestry areas were smaller than those found in degraded and undisturbed forest. Only one of the 16 roosts on Anjouan was found in undisturbed, old-growth forest with no nearby signs of clearance for agriculture or landslides following tree-felling upslope. Following a suspected severe population decline as a result of widespread and long-term forest loss Livingstone's fruit bat has been recategorized as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

Medical memorials in the Linnean binomial taxonomy

Dr Conacher’s fascinating account of Dr John Dickinson in this issue of the Journal, 1 and particularly his picture of Dickinson’s kestrel (Falco dickinsoni), put me in mind of other species of fauna and flora that have been named after medical practitioners in the Linnean binomial taxonomy. For example, considering other medically qualified explorers, there were present on David Livingstone’s Zambesi expedition of 1858–1864 several individuals who would have known John Dickinson, specifically Dr John Kirk (1832–1922), Dr Charles James Meller (c. 1833–1869) and Dr David Livingstone (1813–1873) himself, 2 each of whom has species named after him. As ‘economic botanist’ as well as medical officer to the expedition, John Kirk identified many plant species and sent communications during his time in Africa to journals, including the Transactions of the Botanical Society and the Journal and Transactions of the Linnean Society. Plant species bearing his name are Psychotria kirkii and Uapaca kirkiana. Following the Zambesi Expedition, Kirk worked in the Consulate in Zanzibar during which time he identified the Zanzibar red colobus (Piliocolobus kirkii), a small leaf-eating monkey also known as Kirk’s red colobus and found only in Zanzibar and now classified as an endangered species. Charles James Meller, who succeeded Kirk as medical officer on the Zambesi expedition, afterwards went to Madagascar as Vice-Consul where he identified a species of dabbling duck known as Meller’s duck (Ansa melleri) and now listed as an endangered species. Livingstone’s fruit bat or flying fox (Pteropus livingstonii) is a bat found only on two islands in the Comoros group located off the eastern coast of Africa between northern Madagascar and north-eastern Mozambique, whence a number of ‘Johanna men’ accompanied the Zambesi expedition. The rarest and largest of all Comorian bat species, these animals defend themselves by spraying urine at potential predators. Again, this is a threatened species due to destruction of its preferred forest habitat. (Both Meller’s duck and Livingstone’s fruit bat may be seen at the Durrell Wildlife

Petrosal Anatomy of the Nine-Banded Armadillo,Dasypus novemcinctusLinnaeus, 1758 (Mammalia, Xenarthra, Dasypodidae)

Although isolated mammalian petrosals often are encountered in the fossil record, few detailed descriptions of these bones exist for extant taxa. As a contribution to that void, isolated petrosals are described in detail for two nine-banded armadillos, Dasypus novemcinctus Linnaeus, 1758, and are placed in the context of the basicranium based on an additional 18 specimens, all from Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Neurovascular structures are reconstructed based on study of serially sectioned fetal specimens from the Anatomisches Instituts in Frankfurt and Heidelberg, Germany. Preliminary comparisons are made with other extinct and extant eutherians that the author has described in recent years. Unexpectedly, quite a few similarities are found between the petrosals of D. novemcinctus and the chiropteran Pteropus livingstonii Gray, 1866, which in light of the divergent phyletic affinities and biologies of these animals are remarkable convergences.

On the Cranial Osteology of Chiroptera. I. Pteropus (Megachiroptera: Pteropodidae)

Although detailed anatomical descriptions of skull morphology are available for representatives of many mammalian orders, no such descriptive work exists for bats, a group that comprises over 20% of extant mammalian species. In this paper, we provide a detailed description of the skull of Pteropus (Mammalia: Chiroptera: Megachiroptera: Pteropodidae) and establish a system of cranial nomenclature following the Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria. Based on a series of specimens of Pteropus lylei, we describe the skull as a whole and the morphology of external surfaces of 24 bones (7 rostral, 16 cranial, plus the mandible) and 17 teeth. We describe internal surfaces and additional bones of disarticulated skulls of Pteropus livingstonii and use material from the same species to describe the middle ear ossicles and the petrosal bone. We include a description of the hyoid apparatus and larynx based on Pteropus tonganus and a description of the deciduous dentition based on Pteropus hypomelanus. Using a sectioned fetus, we determine the content and homology of all cranial foramina present in the skull of Pteropus. We outline the ontogenetic changes from newborn pups to adults, considering changes in skull shape and the sequence of bone fusion and tooth eruption. Based on selected comparisons to other megabats, we discuss broad patterns of variation in general cranial shape, and interspecific variation in sutures, foramina, processes, and dentition. Overall, this work establishes a descriptive and nomenclatorial benchmark for chiropteran skull anatomy in line with similar works in other mammalian orders, with the aim of creating common ground for comparative, phylogenetic, and functional studies of the bat skull, including comparisons with other mammals.

Environmental Education as a Component of Multidisciplinary Conservation Programs: Lessons from Conservation Initiatives for Critically Endangered Fruit Bats in the Western Indian Ocean

Abstract: Pteropus livingstonii, P. voeltzkowi,and P. rodricensis are three critically endangered fruit bats from western Indian Ocean islands for which multidisciplinary conservation programs have been established that include environmental education programs (EEPs). We describe these EEPs in terms of the strategies used to achieve them and evaluate the educational and conservation outcomes and impacts of the programs. Educational outputs (including posters, stickers, videos, lesson plans, and workshops), primarily linking human needs to the ecosystem services provided by bats, were delivered to schools and community groups, and local environmental educators were trained to further develop the EEPs. Outcomes included increased local awareness about the bats and their conservation, training of environmental educators, inclusion of bat conservation and environmental issues in the school curricula, and establishment of community‐based environmental nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). Extensive prior planning, presentations in local languages, distribution of outputs through existing networks of educators, training of local educators, establishment of local environmental NGOs, and local capacity‐building were all associated with these EEPs achieving their goals in the under‐resourced island locations where these bats are found. The EEPs were also important in the development of other components of their respective conservation programs, such as population monitoring programs. Although long‐term conservation impacts, particularly tackling habitat loss, are slow to materialize and social and economic issues need to be addressed, these EEPs have already had important outcomes and have established the foundation for future conservation actions.

Conservation of Pteropus livingstonii based on roost site habitat characteristics on Anjouan and Moheli, Comoros islands

Livingstone's fruit bats, Pteropus livingstonii, (Pteropodidae: Chiroptera) are endemic to only two islands, Moheli and Anjouan of the Comoros Islands in the West Indian Ocean. With an estimated population of less than 2000 individuals, P. livingstonii is listed as Critically Endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's Red List. Yet the habitat characteristics of these giant fruit bats, or flying foxes, are poorly known. I conducted field research during 5 months in 1998 focused on finding new roost sites, measuring characteristics of both roost sites and roost trees at new as well as previously identified roost sites, and recording the same characteristics for a set of absence sites. I identified six new roost sites allowing me to measure the characteristics of 15 known roost sites and seven absence sites. The study spanned both dry and rainy seasons and I found a significant increase in the number of individuals at roost sites during the rainy season. Bat roost sites were associated with presence of water, southeast aspect, steep slopes, and presence of several native tree species. Roost habitat was characterized based on biotic, abiotic and human factors. This research on habitat characteristics is contributing to the development of a conservation action plan for the Livingstone's fruit bats. However, further research on dry season roost sites and distribution as well as feeding sites is necessary in order to better understand their seasonal habitat requirements and therefore ensure the conservation of P. livingstonii.

Insectivory in captive Livingstone's and Rodrigues fruit bats Pteropus livingstonii and P. rodricensis (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae): a behavioural adaptation for obtaining protein

Captive Pteropus livingstonii and P. rodricensis were observed actively to catch and eat insects. Both species adopt the same technique to trap flying insects, using their wings to envelop them. The spontaneity of the response indicates that it is not an artefact of captivity. The behaviour was observed in captive‐bred P. rodricensis which had no prior access to insects, suggesting that it is also innate. A higher rate of successful captures was recorded for an older, wild caught P. livingstonii female, indicating that the effectiveness of the technique used may improve with age. Significant differences in the amount of time spent catching insects by males and females were evident in this species. This study supports suggestions that insects are eaten by some megachiopterans in order to supplement their protein intake.

Observations on the timing of reproduction in the congeneric Comoro Island fruit bats, Pteropus livingstonii and P. seychellensis comorensis

Pteropus livingstonii (Gray 1866) is a highly endangered fruit bat of the Comoro Islands (Western Indian Ocean). Limited information on the bats' population biology is hampering conservation measures. During an expedition in 1992, observations were made on the timing of reproduction of P. livingstonii and the congeneric P. seychellensis comorensis (Nicoll, 1908): P. livingstonii breeds two months earlier than P. s. comorensis. These observations are discussed in relation to what is known about reproduction in Pteropus, and past observations on the Comorien Pteropus species.

The status of Pteropus livingstonii in the Comores

Pteropus livingstonii is one of the world's most endangered fruit bats, with a small population limited to two of the Comoro Islands (western Indian Ocean), Surveys carried out in 1992 and 1993 suggest that the population numbers around 150 individuals. Loss of habitat through deforestation is the major threat to this species. Old World Fruit Bats: An Action Plan for their Conservation recommends captive-breeding of this species as one of 20 priority projects. The FFPS helped fund both the preparation of the Action Plan and the field projects described in this paper.