Notopteris macdonaldii, J. E. Gray, 1859

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Pteropodidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 16-162 : 125

114.

Fijian Long-tailed Fruit Bat

Notopteris macdonaldii

French: Notoptére des Fidji / German: Fidschi-Langschwanzflughund / Spanish: Notéptero de Fiyi

Other common names: Fijian Blossom Bat, Long-tailed Blossom Bat, Long-tailed Fruit Bat

Taxonomy. Notopteris macdonaldii J. E. Gray, 1859 ,

“The Island of Vit Levu, Feejeev |= Fiji].”

Most frequently spelled macdonald: but original spelling was macdonaldii . Notopteris seems to represent an isolated offshoot of derived pteropodids and is placed in a subfamily of its own. Notopteris neocaledonicus has been included under N. macdonaldui, but the two are considered distinct now based on size. Monotypic.

Distribution. Vanuatu Is (Santa Maria, Mota Lava, Efate, Erromango, Tanna, and Anatom) and Fiji Is (Vanua Levu, Taveuni, and Vit Levu).

Descriptive notes. Head-body 95-110 mm, tail 57-4-62- 4 mm, ear 14-5-16- 5 mm, hindfoot 22 mm (single individual), forearm 64- 7-69 mm; weight 56-73 g. The Fijian Long-tailed Fruit Bat has long rat-like tail disconnected from small uropatagium, very small tragus, wings that join over spine, and long tongue to collect nectar. Head is somewhat elongated and bare on most of long rostrum. Ears are relatively short but elongated, with narrowly pointed tips; eyes are large, with dark brownish irises. Dorsal pelage is light tan or grayish brown, with somewhat grizzled appearance, and darkest along head, neck, and shoulders. Lower back has only small light brown strip of fur along spine leading to tail and legs because wing membrane stretches onto lower back up to edge of spine giving a naked wrinkled appearance. Ventral pelage is paler than dorsum and is generally light brown. Wings are black, digits are pinkish brown, and index claw is absent. Tail is long, free from uropatagium, and brown, proportionately longer than any other pteropodid. Uropatagium is highly reduced but still present along inner legs, attaching near base of tail and at ankles. Skull is elongated, and infraorbital canal opens well forward on snout (as in most mammals) rather than immediately in front of eyes as in most other pteropodids. Dental formula for all species of Notopterisis11/1,C1/1,P2/2,M 2/3 (x2) =26.1',1, P!, and P, are missing; molars and premolars are reduced and elongated; and C, is long and well developed.

Habitat. Mossy montane forests, lowland patchy secondary forests, and rural gardens, primarily in lowlands but commonly montane forests in Fiji, from sea level up to elevations of ¢. 1100 m. Fijian Long-tailed Fruit Bats move between lowland and highland habitats on the Fiji Islands, depending on season, to follow flowering or fruiting of specific plants.

Food and Feeding. Fijian Long-tailed Fruit Bats are nectarivorous, feeding primarily by lapping up nectar from flowers while hovering near them or (more commonly) landing close to flowers. They feed on Musa (Musaceae) and probably on nectar and pollen of various nut trees in gardens. They might eat fruit, but this is unconfirmed. Fecal samples from Fiji indicate that they regularly lap up moth scales and whole mites while foraging for nectar. This is because they share resources with some species of moths, such Syzygium (Myrtaceae) and Barringtonia (Lecythidaceae) on Vanua Levu. They obtain ample nutrients from nectar and pollen and do not need animal matter for protein.

Breeding. Lactating and pregnant Fijian Long-tailed Fruit Bats and young have been captured year-round.

Activity patterns. Fijian Long-tailed Fruit Bats are nocturnal. Day roosts are in large caves, often shared with other bats (e.g. Fijian Free-tailed Bats, Chaerephon bregullae).

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Fijian Long-tailed Fruit Bats roost in colonies of up to 2000 individuals.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Vulnerable on The IUCN Red List. The Fijian Long-tailed Fruit Bat is threatened by roost disturbance and hunting. In Fiji,it is potentially vulnerable to roost disturbance from vandalism, guano mining, recreation, tourism, and quarrying and is hunted for consumption at one cave. Two of the five known caves occur in suburban areas of Suva, Vit Levu. It is rather tolerant of disturbance and regularly found foraging in secondary habitats and urban and rural gardens. Capture rates on Vanua Levu indicate thatit is the most abundantly captured species of pteropodid (67% of pteropodids captured). Local wildlife laws protectit, but exploitation still persists. Its roosting sites should be protected, and additional studies are needed to fully understand threats. It was found on ‘ Eua Island in the Tonga group based on subfossil remains, but it has been extirpated there.

Bibliography. Flannery (1995a), Giannini & Simmons (2007a), Ingleby & Colgan (2003), Ingleby & Flannery (1991), Koopman & Steadman (1995), Nelson & Hamilton-Smith (1982), Palmeirim (2008), Palmeirim et al. (2007), Scanlon (2009), Scanlon & Petit (2016), Scanlon, Petit & Bottroff (2014), Scanlon, Petit & Sternberg (2013).

Figures

114. Fijian Long-tailed Fruit Bat (Notopteris macdonald), 115. New Caledonia Long-tailed Fruit Bat (Notopteris neocaledonicus), 116. White-winged Flying Fox (Desmalopex leucopterus), 117. Mindoro Pallid Flying Fox (Desmalopex microleucopterus), 118. Fijizan Monkey-faced Fruit Bat Marimar (: acrodonta), 119. Bougainville Monkey-faced Fruit Bat (Pteralopex anceps), 120. Guadalcanal Monkey-faced Fruit Bat (Pleralopex atrata), 121. Montane Monkey-faced Fruit Bat (Pleralopex pulchra), 122. New Georgia Monkey-faced Fruit Bat (Pleralopex taki), 123. Greater Monkey-faced Fruit Bat (Pleralopex flanneryi), 124. Black-bellied Blossom Bat (Melonycteris melanops), 125. Fardoulis’s Blossom Bat (Nesonycteris fardoulis), 126. Woodford’s Blossom Bat (Nesonycteris woodfordi)

Distribution. Vanuatu Is (Santa Maria, Mota Lava, Efate, Erromango, Tanna, and Anatom) and Fiji Is (Vanua Levu, Taveuni, and Vit Levu).