Pteropus dasymallus Temminck, 1825

Initial Species Comparison

The Ryukyu flying fox (Pteropus dasymallus Temminck, 1825) is slightly smaller than the Indian flying fox.

Size and Weight

It has a wingspan of 1.24–1.41 m (4 ft 1 in – 4 ft 8 in), weighs 400–500 g (0.88–1.10 lb), and its forearm is approximately 140 mm (5.5 in) long.

Pelage Texture

Its body is covered in long hairs that give it an almost woolly appearance.

Body Coloration

It is reddish brown with a yellowish white nape.

External Physical Features

Its small, pointed ears are hard to see beneath its thick fur, and its flight membranes are dark brown.

Overall Geographic Range

This species is native to Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines.

Distribution in Japan

In Japan, it occurs on the Ōsumi Islands, Tokara Islands, Okinawa Islands, Miyako Islands, Yaeyama Islands, and Daitō Islands.

Distribution in the Philippines

In the Philippines, it is found in Batan, Dalupiri, and Fuga.

Roosting Habitat and Behavior

It lives in forests, where it roosts during the day in trees either singly or in small groups.

Feeding Guild

The Ryukyu flying fox is mostly frugivorous.

Diet Composition

It consumes fruits from at least 53 plant species, flowers from 20 plant species, leaves from 18 plant species, bark from one plant species, and has also been observed eating eight different insect species.

Key Food Source

The Chinese banyan tree is an important year-round food source for this species.

Pollination Role

It acts as an important pollinator for a subspecies of the evergreen tree Schima wallichii, and also pollinates the climbing vine species Mucuna macrocarpa.

Activity Pattern

It is a nocturnal species: it typically roosts alone in trees during the day, and forages at night.

Seed Dispersal Ability

It enhances seed dispersal, because seeds from digested fruits are deposited in guano up to 1,833 m (1.139 mi) away from parent trees.