The ashy-headed flying fox or North Moluccan flying fox (Pteropus caniceps) is a species of bat in the family Pteropodidae. It is endemic to Indonesia.
| Ashy-headed flying fox | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Pteropodidae |
| Genus: | Pteropus |
| Species: | P. caniceps
|
| Binomial name | |
| Pteropus caniceps Gray, 1870
| |
| |
| Ashy-headed flying fox range | |
Taxonomy and etymology
editIt was described as a new species in 1870 by British zoologist John Edward Gray. The holotype had been collected on the Bacan Islands by Alfred Russel Wallace.[2] Its species name "caniceps" means "gray-headed" from Latin canus (gray) and -ceps (headed). This species has two subspecies:
- P. c. caniceps
- P. c. dobsoni[3] (named for zoologist George Edward Dobson)
Description
editIts forearm is 139–141 mm (5.5–5.6 in) long.[4]
Range and habitat
editThis species is endemic to Indonesia. It has been found at elevations up to 1,630 m (5,350 ft) above sea level.[1]
Conservation
editAs of 2016, it is assessed as a vulnerable species by the IUCN. It meets the criteria for this assessment because its population decline has been at least 30% from 1992–2016. Additionally, it is experiencing habitat fragmentation, and it is losing habitat due to logging and mining activities.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c Tsang, S.M. (2016). "Pteropus caniceps". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T18719A22079034. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T18719A22079034.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- ^ Gray, J. E. (1870). Catalogue of monkeys, lemurs, and fruit-eating bats in the collection of the British Museum. Order of the Trustees. p. 107.
- ^ "North Moluccan Flying Fox". BioLib.cz. Retrieved January 12, 2013.
- ^ Flannery, T. F. (1995). Mammals of the south-west Pacific & Moluccan Islands. Cornell University Press. p. 184. ISBN 978-0801431500.