Peters's epauletted fruit bat

The Peters's epauletted fruit bat (Epomophorus crypturus) is a species of megabat in the family Pteropodidae. It is found in Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Its natural habitat is in riverine or evergreen forest, or moist woodland, where there are fruit-bearing trees.

Peters's epauletted fruit bat
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Pteropodidae
Genus: Epomophorus
Species:
E. crypturus
Binomial name
Epomophorus crypturus
Peters, 1852
Peters's epauletted fruit bat range

Taxonomy

It was described as a new species in 1852 by German naturalist Wilhelm Peters. Peters collected the holotype in "Tette" in Mozambique during an expedition that occurred from 1842 to 1848.[2]

Description

Individuals have a forearm length ranging from 75–88 mm (3.0–3.5 in) and weigh 56–140 g (2.0–4.9 oz).[3]

Biology and ecology

It consumes plant matter such as fruit and nectar. For reproduction, the typical litter size is one, though twins are perhaps possible, if very rare. Newborns are altricial at birth, with eyes closed and sparse fur. Newborns weigh around 11 g (0.39 oz). Births likely occur around September, and it has been suggested that females give birth once per year.[3] It has variable roosting behavior. Individuals may roost singly, though may also roost in groups consisting of several hundred individuals.[3]

Range and habitat

Peters's epauletted fruit bat is found in Southern Africa, where it has been documented at a range of elevations between 500–2,185 m (1,640–7,169 ft) above sea level. Its range includes the following countries: Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.[1]

Conservation

As of 2016, it is evaluated as a least-concern species by the IUCN. It meets the criteria for this classification due to its wide geographic range, and thus, presumably large population. It tolerates some human modification of its habitat. Additionally, it is unlikely to be experiencing rapid population decline.[1]

References
  1. Taylor, P. (2016). "Epomophorus crypturus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T44697A22073767. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T44697A22073767.en.
  2. Peters, W. (1852). "Naturwissenschaftliche Reise nach Mossambique, auf Befehl seiner Majestät des Königs Friedrich Wilhelm IV, in den Jahren 1842 bis 1848 ausgeführt: Säugerthiere" [Natural scientific trip to Mozambique, on the orders of his Majesty King Frederick William IV, executed between 1842 and 1848: Mammals] (in German). Druck und Verlag von Georg Reimer: 26–29. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. Happold, M. (2013). Kingdon, J.; Happold, D.; Butynski, T.; Hoffmann, M.; Happold, M.; Kalina, J. (eds.). Mammals of Africa. 4. A&C Black. p. 240-242. ISBN 9781408189962.
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