English Common Name

Ryukyu Flying Fox

Scientific name

Pteropus dasymallus inopinatus

Taxonomy

Order: Chiroptera, Family: Pteropodidae

Size

19 cm - 25 cm

Species Distribution

Okinawa Island and other islands in the vicinity

Okinawan Common Name

Kah-bu-ya (general term for bats), Ehma-kah-bu-ya

Okinawa Red List of Threatened Species:Near Threatened

This is a subspecies of Pteropus dasymallus that is found in Okinawa Island and its vicinity. Megachiroptera contributes maintaining and regenerating forests by spreading seeds or pollens attached on its body. Predation by exotic species, death caused by getting caught in nets in orchards or tangled in exotic palm tree leaves, and frequent typhoon impacts on the species are concerns that may cause drastic population decrease.

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Updated March 2019

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