Indian flying fox

Indian flying fox
In Jamtra, Madhya Pradesh, India
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Pteropodidae
Genus: Pteropus
Species:
P. medius
Binomial name
Pteropus medius
Temminck, 1825
Range
Synonyms[3]
  • Pteropus giganteus (Brünnich, 1782)
  • Pteropus ariel Allen, 1908
  • Pteropus assamensis McClelland, 1839
  • Pteropus edwardsi I. Geoffroy, 1828
  • Pteropus kelaarti Gray, 1871
  • Pteropus leucocephalus Hodgson, 1835
  • Pteropus ruvicollis[a] Ogilby, 1840
  • Vespertilio gigantea Brunnich, 1782

The Indian flying fox (Pteropus medius, formerly Pteropus giganteus), also known as the greater Indian fruit bat, is a species of flying fox native to the Indian subcontinent. It is one of the largest bats in the world. It is of interest as a disease vector, as it is capable of transmitting several viruses to humans. It is nocturnal and feeds mainly on ripe fruits, such as mangoes and bananas, and nectar. This species is often regarded as vermin due to its destructive tendencies towards fruit farms, but the benefits of its pollination and seed propagation often outweigh the impacts of its fruit consumption.[4]

  1. ^ Tsang, S.M. (2021) [errata version of 2020 assessment]. "Pteropus giganteus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T18725A194134899. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T18725A194134899.en. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  2. ^ Quattrocchi, U. (2017). CRC World Dictionary of Palms: Common Names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Synonyms, and Etymology. CRC Press. ISBN 9781351651493.
  3. ^ Mlikovsky, J. (2012). "Correct name for the Indian flying fox" (PDF). Vespertilio (16): 203–204 (Pteropodidae).
  4. ^ Fujita, M. S.; Tuttle, M. D. (1991). "Flying Foxes (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae): Threatened Animals of Key Ecological and Economic Importance". Conservation Biology. 5 (4): 455–463. Bibcode:1991ConBi...5..455F. doi:10.1111/j.1523-1739.1991.tb00352.x.


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