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Macroglossus minimus (Geoffroy, 1810)
| Family Name: | Pteropodidae |
| Synonyms: | Pteropus minimus (Geoffroy, 1810) |
| Taxonomic Group: | Vertebrates (Mammal) |
| Common Name: | Common Long-tongued Nectar Bat, Long-tongued Fruit-bat |
Name
Description
| Size | 38 mm to 42 mm |
|---|---|
| Description | A small, delicate-looking creamy-furred bat with a long slender muzzle. Upperparts buffy-brown. Underparts paler and greyer. Wing membranes light brown. Long, narrow muzzle with very small teeth, with needle-like canines. Nostrils rounded and facing forward. |
Ecology, Habitat & Location
| Ecological Notes | Nocturnal, inhabits lowland forest but mostly in mangroves. It feeds on nectar and pollen. This species serves as a pollinator for mangrove trees such as Sonneratia alba and Sonneratia caseolaris, and it also feeds on the nectar of durian flowers when they are in bloom. Hence the bat is of economic value. |
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| Habitats | Forest, Mangroves |
| Distribution | In Singapore, known mainly from the mangroves of Pulau Ubin and Pulau Tekong. Also recorded from Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. Widely distributed in Southeast Asia, across to New Guinea, Northern Australia, Solomon Islands |
| Nature Reserves | Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve |
| Nature Areas | Pulau Tekong, Pulau Ubin |
Conservation
| Trends & Threats | Habitat loss. |
|---|---|
| Scientific Interest & Potential Value | This species serves as pollinator for certain species of mangrove trees. |
| Conservation Notes | Protection of mangroves at various sites on the coast of the mainland and offshore islands is helping to conserve this species. |
Status
| Species Status | Native |
|---|---|
| Conservation Status | Rare |
| Singapore Red Data Book Status | Vulnerable (VU) [2008] |
Photos
References
| References | Baker, N. & Lim, K. 2008. Wild animals of Singapore. Singapore: Draco Publishing and Distribution Pte Ltd. 180pp Davison, G.W.H., Ng, P.K.L. & Ho, H.C (Eds.). 2008. The Singapore Red Data Book (2nd Edition). Singapore: Nature Society (Singapore). 285pp Francis, C.M. 2008. A field guide to the mammals of South-east Asia. United Kingdom: New Holland Publishers (UK) Ltd. 392pp |
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