Giant golden-crowned flying fox

The giant golden-crowned flying fox was described as a new species in 1831 by German naturalist Johann Friedrich von Eschscholtz. Eschscholtz placed it in the genus Pteropus with a scientific name of Pteropus jubatus. The holotype had been collected on the Philippine island of Luzon during an expedition led by Otto von Kotzebue. The genus Acerodon was described six years later in 1837, with A. jubatus as the type species for the new genus. As of 2005, three subspecies of the giant golden-crowned flying fox are recognized: • A. jubatus jubatus (Eschscholtz, 1831) • A. jubatus mindanensis (K. Andersen, 1909) • A. jubatus lucifer (Elliot, 1896) A. jubatus lucifer had been described as Pteropus lucifer in 1896 by Daniel Giraud Elliot. A. jubatus lucifer, commonly the Panay golden-crowned flying fox, is still sometimes considered an extinct species of megabat. A 1998 publication noted that there were no morphological differences that distinguish A. jubatus lucifer from A. jubatus. This publication was used by Mammal Species of the World and the IUCN as justification as listing A. jubatus lucifer as a subspecies of A. jubatus rather than as a full species. ==Description==

Overall, the giant golden-crowned flying fox is similar in appearance to many Pteropus species. It is different in its smaller canine teeth and its larger and more complex molars and premolars. Its upper incisors are slightly longer than Pteropus species, as well as sharper. Its four lower incisors have a greater disparity in length between the inner and outer pair than do Pteropus. The giant golden-crowned flying fox is one of the largest bat species in the world. It is among the heaviest of all bat species, with individuals weighing up to . The only bat species known to weigh more than the giant golden-crowned flying fox are the Indian flying fox (Pteropus medius) and great flying fox (Pteropus neohibernicus), with a maximum weight of and respectively. The wingspan of the Indian flying fox is up to , while the giant golden-crowned flying fox has a wingspan of . The sides of its face, brows, and throat are black, while the sides of its neck and upper back are maroon; this maroon fur transitions into brownish black, which then grades into reddish brown down the back. On its ventral (belly) side, its fur is generally black, though the front of the neck may have a maroon tinge and its belly may be interspersed with yellow hairs. Its hindlimbs are covered with brownish black fur, and its flight membranes are pale brown. ==Biology and ecology==

Diet and foraging '', a species of fig consumed by the giant golden-crowned flying fox The giant golden-crowned flying fox is largely frugivorous, though it also consumes plant leaves (folivorous). One study found that it is particularly dependent on Ficus fruits (figs), with Ficus seeds found in 79% of all fecal pellets. Especially common Ficus seeds were from the Urostigma subgenus (which includes Ficus species commonly referred to as banyan), as well as Ficus variegata. The results support that the primary food group is composed of fig species, including Ficus subcordata and unidentified leaves. There is a lack of consensus on whether items found frequently in the fecal samples are actually prioritized or found as an alternative food for these bats. This species likely commutes long distances between its roost and foraging grounds. Individuals who roosted on the island of Maripipi, for example, were documented traveling more than to access sites on another island, Biliran. It forms harmonious mixed species colonies with another megabat, the large flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus). When time to leave the roosts for nightly foraging, the two species will head in the same direction. Based on limited observation, it is thought that females may not reach sexual maturity until two years of age. On Negros Island, females gave birth in April or May; based on other observations, females likely give birth during this time across its range. On the island of Maripipi, young were born in late May and June. Predators, parasites, and disease Although they typically live a long life in the wild, they are also hunted by humans and other apex predators such as the Philippine eagle. They may also be susceptible to wildlife diseases. The giant golden-crowned flying fox is impacted by ectoparasites (external parasites) including Cyclopodia horsfieldi, which is a species of fly in the family Nycteribiidae ("bat flies"). It is preyed on by several raptors including the Philippine eagle, white-bellied sea eagle, and possibly the Brahminy kite. Non-avian predators include the reticulated python ==Range and habitat ==

The giant golden-crowned flying fox is endemic to the Philippines; it was the first endemic species of that country to be described, which it was in 1831. The same study also revealed that these bats use river corridors called riparian zones more than originally thought, because the fig trees located near rivers are the bats' main source of food. They like to be close to agricultural fields, but only in undisturbed forest areas. ==Conservation==

As of 2016, the giant golden-crowned flying fox is listed as an endangered species by the IUCN. It meets the criteria for this designation because its population likely declined by more than 50% from 1986–2016. One of the largest factors in its decline is hunting for bushmeat. Less than 10% of the original lowland forest cover now remains. , Philippines Internationally, the giant golden-crowned flying fox is protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). In 1990, In 1995, the species was placed CITES Appendix I. Appendix I is stricter than Appendix II, meaning that commercial trade of the species is only legal in exceptional circumstances. Nationally, the species is protected by the 2001 Philippine Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, though this law is inadequately enforced. Actions that BCI has taken to promote its conservation include partnering with local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to protect its roosts, as well as educate Filipinos about bats. Some captive breeding programs exist for the species, though it is uncertain if they are sufficient to make up for population declines seen in the wild. ==References==