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Status and distribution of the Pemba flying fox Pteropus voeltzkowi

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 April 2009

Abigail Entwistle  and
Nadia Corp
Abigail Entwistle*
Affiliation:
Zoology Department, Aberdeen University, Aberdeen AB24 2TZ, UK.
Nadia Corp
Affiliation:
Zoology Department, Aberdeen University, Aberdeen AB24 2TZ, UK.
*
*Fauna & Flora International, Great Eastern House, Tenison Road, Cambridge CB1 2DT, UK.
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Abstract

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The Pemba flying fox Pteropus voeltzkowi is a fruit bat endemic to the island of Pemba, off Tanzania. A total of 41 reported roosting areas were visited in June and July 1995, and 19 occupied roosts were located, most of them in the west of the island, and on small islets off the west and south of Pemba. Roosts were situated in primary forest, secondary forest (overgrown clove plantations), traditional graveyards and mangrove areas. A range of sizes and species of trees were used as roosts. The minimum population of P. voeltzkowi was estimated to be between 4600 and 5500 individuals. In total 94 per cent of the population was located at 10 roost sites. Larger colonies were associated with roosts located in forests, which together supported 75 per cent of the total bat population. Colonies were of mixed sex, but no young or obviously pregnant females were observed. Major threats to this species appeared to be hunting and deforestation (both logging and clearing for agriculture) and P. voeltzkowi is considered to be endangered.

Type
Research Article
Information
Oryx , Volume 31 , Issue 2 , April 1997 , pp. 135 - 142
Copyright
Copyright © Fauna and Flora International 1997

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