Distribution, status and conservation of the bats of the Fiji Islands

Abstract

The poorly studied bat fauna of the Fiji Islands is of notable conservation importance because it includes one endemic species, several near endemics, and the best global populations of several threatened species. In addition, some of the species play a keystone role as pollinators and seed dispersers in valuable forest ecosystems. We visited 30 islands of the archipelago to survey bats and assess their conservation status and the potential threats to their continued existence. The Vulnerable Notopteris macdonaldi occurs on the three main islands but may only have nurseries on one of them. The Critically Endangered, endemic Mirimiri acrodonta appears to be restricted to a small montane area on a single island. Pteropus tonganus is consumed throughout rural Fiji but remains common and is not currently threatened by the harvest. The Near Threatened Pteropus samoensis is locally common on the largest islands but threatened on some smaller islands. The Endangered Chaerephon bregullae exists only on two islands and appears to concentrate in a single large colony to nurse young. The Endangered Emballonura semicaudata has declined dramatically in Fiji, as across most of its range, although a few substantial populations remain on some small islands. Factors threatening these species are variable but include small ranges, concentration in a reduced number of colonies, deforestation, over-harvesting, and introduced predators. We propose conservation measures and indicate a number of priority sites.

Pacific Flying Foxes (Mammalia: Chiroptera): Two New Species of Pteropus from Samoa, Probably Extinct

“…The genus Pteropus (the ''flying foxes'') is represented by a diverse complement of species in eastern Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia (extending as far east as the Cook Islands). Also occurring in the region are two older generic lineages endemic to the remote Pacific-Notopteris (two species of blossom bats, known from the modern faunas of New Caledonia, Vanuatu, and Fiji, as well as the subfossil record of Tonga) and Mirimiri (one species of ''monkeyfaced bat'', recorded only from montane forests on the island of Taveuni in Fiji) (Hill and Beckon, 1978;Flannery, 1995;Parnaby, 2002b;Helgen, 2005;Palmeirim et al, 2007).…”

The conservation status of bats in Fiji

“…At Nakanacagi cave we estimated c. 2,000 C. bregullae, with similar numbers in 2010 and 2011. Palmeirim et al (2005) reported native forest nearby, but we found the cave within disturbed forest, with agricultural land use and a timber mill nearby. We found nets and poles in the cave.…”

“…Neither was this species found in any cave or coastal overhang on Vanua Levu. Furthermore, the most important cave colony, recorded by Palmeirim et al (2007) on Yaqeta Island, was deserted and there was no evidence of recent use by bats (odour, fresh guano). The vandalized cave is located within a small fragment of forest frequented by goats (Plate 1).…”

“…We searched for E. semicaudata on coastal overhangs and in caves along Savusavu Bay, in a limestone cave within Namale Resort, on a large limestone outcrop near Savusavu airport and on many rocky outcrops and in small caves across Waisali land. This species is considered rare on Vanua Levu (Palmeirim et al, 2007). We also visited Waya, Naviti and Yaqeta Islands in the Yasawa archipelago.…”

“…We also visited Waya, Naviti and Yaqeta Islands in the Yasawa archipelago. The Yaqeta Island cave was identified as a key site for E. semicaudata by Palmeirim et al (2005Palmeirim et al ( , 2007, and we visited the site with a local guide who had participated in the 2000-2001 survey. Like Palmeirim et al (2005Palmeirim et al ( , 2007, we were unable to visit Vatu Vara to confirm the presence of a second large colony of E. semicaudata.…”