Montane Monkey-faced Bat

Only one documented specimen

Australian biologist Tim Flannery discovered the montane monkey-faced bat in 1990 during a study of the mammals of the South Pacific region. It was immediately clear to him that it was a previously unknown flying fox species. The striking red eyes, the black and white spotted flight membrane, the long black back and the yellowish belly fur made the animal for Flannery the most beautiful of the genus of monkey-faced flying foxes (Pteralopex). Therefore, he gave the female he found the specific epithet pulchra, the Latin feminine form for nice.

In A new Species of Pteralopex from Montane Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands Flannery described the new species Pteralopex pulchra 1991 scientific—based on a single adult female that flew into a Japanese net on the south side of Mount Makarakomburu on the Solomon Island of Guadalcanal in May 1990.

Fruit bats are considered the largest bats. For example, the large flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus) has a wingspan of 170 centimeters, a body length of 40 centimeters and a weight of one kilogram. However, with a body length of around 16 centimeters and a weight of 280 grams, the montane monkey-faced bat is one of the smallest representatives of its genus.

Montane monkey-faced bat – fact sheet

alternative name	Montane flying monkey
scientifiche name	Pteralopex pulchra
original distribution area	Guadalcanal (Solomon Islands, Pacific Ocean)
Time of extinction	probably after 1990
Causes of extinction	unclear, possible loss of habitat
IUCN status	critically endangered (possibly extinct)

Montane flying monkey from Mount Makarakomburu preferred higher areas

The montane monkey-faced bat is a little-researched bat. Flannery discovered the female, which served as the basis for the description of the species, at an altitude of 1,230 meters above sea level. He watched other animals of this species above 1,200 meters. But he didn’t see a montane monkey-faced bat in deeper regions.

The biologist therefore assumes that the montane monkey-faced bat is the Guadalcanal monkey-faced bat (P. atrata) replaced on the island from a height of 1,200 meters. This would make this pair of species among the mammals in the Solomon Islands the only one in which one species replaces the other at a certain altitude (altitude vicariance?).

Discovered in 1990—and never seen again

Since its discovery in 1990, the montane monkey-faced bat has not been sighted, so some scientists now believe that the species is extinct. The IUCN lists the montane monkey-faced bat as ‘endangered, probably extinct’. The World Conservation Organization suspects that the population would be fewer than 50 animals if the species still exists. There has been a lack of intensive searches so far to definitively determine whether bats of this species still exist or not.

During a search expedition in 2015 at altitudes of 1,000 and 1,300 to 1,500 meters on the north side of Mount Popomanasaeu, the montane monkey-faced bat could also not be detected. In his initial description, Flannery assumed that the species occurs at altitudes of 1,200 meters and above, but he based this on the location of the female, which was discovered on the southern slope of Mount Makarakomburu.

Due to climatic conditions, the lower altitude limit of the montane monkey-faced bats in the north of Guadalcanal could be above 1,500 meters. The north side of the mountains has little rain, so the vegetation preferred by the species is more likely to be found in higher areas.

A critically endangered genus

All monkey-faced bat species are considered to be threatened with extinction or at least highly endangered due to forest clearance and hunting in their habitat. However, what exactly may have contributed to the disappearance of the montane monkey-faced bate is uncertain. Because of their potentially small distribution area, even a single disturbing factor could have led to extinction.

It can be assumed that the montane monkey-faced bat has very specific requirements for its habitat. For example, its conspecifics rely on large, hollow trees that serve as sleeping places. As far as hunting is concerned, biologist Tyrone Lavery sees no danger in this, as flying foxes are rarely or not hunted at all in high areas of the island of Guadalcanal.

Good chances of rediscovery

The Australian biologists Diana O. Fisher and Simon P. Blomberg studied in 2010 study with the Probability of rediscovery of mammals that have not been documented for several years concerned. Fisher pointed out in a later interview suggests that some mammal species now thought to be extinct still have a good chance of being rediscovered—as examples she cites the montane monkey-faced bat and Alcorn’s pocket gopher (Pappogeomys alcorni), which has been considered lost since the late 1990s.

According to Fisher and Blomberg’s study, a species is usually actually extinct if that is the main reason for the decline of that species Introduction of foreign animals (such as foxes, rats, cats). An example: which is also endemic to Guadalcanal emperor rat became extinct in the late 19th century because invasive animals and diseases arrived on the island.

The situation is different with mammals whose habitat has been destroyed. Many species of animals that were believed to be through the Loss of their habitat already extinct, could be rediscovered. Unless they were restricted to an extremely small distribution area. species that extremely heavily hunted are very likely actually extinct, such as Steller’s sea cow or the passenger pigeon.

The analysis of data has also shown that one or two searches for a species usually have negative results. However, missing species were rediscovered within three to six searches. However, more search expeditions do not necessarily increase the chances of rediscovery, says Fisher. Species that have been the subject of a search more than eleven times, such as the thylacine or that Baiji, for example, have not been rediscovered to date.

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