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Rousettus aegyptiacus
Class: Mammalia
Geographic Range
Rousettus aegyptiacus is found throughout Africa, south of the Sahara, Egypt, and the Arabian Edit Peninsula’s east and west coastlines (Grzimek, 2003).
Distribution is most common along latitudes 15 degrees north through to 37 degrees south. However, Rousettus aegyptiacus has been found to inhabit latitudes as far as 40 degrees north along the southern border of Turkey.
Though found predominantly in Africa south of the Sahara, Rousettus aegyptiacus has been observed on each of the Canary Islands, west of North Africa, and throughout the Gulf of Guinea, west of Middle Africa, (Nogales et al., 2006; Nowak, 1999).
advanced intermediate Grzimek, 2003; Nogales, Rodriguez-Luengo, and Marrero, 2006; Nowak, 1999
Biogeographic Regions: Palearctic ( Native); Ethiopian ( Native).
Other Geographic Terms:
Habitat
Rousettus aegyptiacus is commonly found throughout Africa’s tropical rain forests, tropical Edit deciduous forests, savanna, and Turkey’s Mediterranean scrub forests. Egyptian fruit bats have been found in arid biomes; however, they prefer to remain in habitats that provide dark, humid roosting conditions and abundant fruit tree growth (Kwiecinski and Griffiths, 1999).
advanced intermediate Kwiecinski and Griffiths, 1999
Elevation: 0 to 4000 m
Depth:
These animals are found in the following types of habitat: Tropical; Terrestrial.
Terrestrial Biomes: Desert or dune; Savanna or grassland; Forest; Rainforest; Scrub forest.
Aquatic Biomes:
Other: Caves.
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Physical Description
Rousettus aegyptiacus is a medium sized bat with dorsal pelage ranging from dark brown to Edit medium gray. Ventral pelage in both genders is several shades lighter than dorsal coloration, with a collar of pale yellow or orange fur often seen around the neck. There is no color difference between genders; however, males have well-developed stiff hairs along the throat that are more recognizable than exhibited in females (Kwiecinski and Griffiths, 1999).
Short fur completely covers the head almost to the end of the muzzle, with exception to the forehead where the fur is slightly longer. Ears are around the length of the muzzle, with blunt tips and dark coloration when compared to dorsal pelage. The cochlea (inner ear) is not specialized in the same way that it is found in members of Family Vespertilionidae. Egyptian fruit bats have large eyes adapted for twilight and night vision.
Wing membranes are dark brown in coloration with short fur extending to the proximal half of the forearm. A claw is present on both the first and second digit, while all other fingers have cartilage. Rousettus aegyptiacus have five toes on both hind limbs, each with perforated claws (Kwiecinski and Griffiths, 1999).
Males are typically larger than females with a total body length ranging from 14 to 19.2 cm, while females range from 12.1 to 16.7 cm. Adults may weigh 80 to 170 g, and have a wingspan close to 60 cm. The forearm varies between 85 to 101.9 mm in males, and 88.1 to 99 mm in females (Kwiecinski and Griffiths, 1999; Grzimek, 2003).
advanced intermediate Grzimek, 2003; Kwiecinski and Griffiths, 1999
Mass: 80 to 170 g
Length: 12.1 to 19.2 cm
Wingspan: Approximately 60 cm (average)
Basal Metabolic Rate:
Some key physical features: Endothermic; Bilateral symmetry.
Sexual dimorphism: Male larger.
Reproduction: Mating Systems
Rousettus aegyptiacus is a polygamous species, that experiences biannual breeding seasons, Edit however, instances of monoestry have been recorded in higher latitudes (Baydemir and Albayrak, 2006; Bernard and Cumming, 1997).
Egyptian fruit bats observed in latitudes south of Egypt have two distinct peak breeding seasons separated by short periods in between. The first peak breeding season is from spring through summer, while the second is fall through winter. Births occur towards the end of each breeding season (Okia, 1987).
advanced intermediate
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Baydemir and Albayrak, 2006; Bernard and Cumming, 1997; Okia, 1987
Mating systems: Polygynandrous (promiscuous).
Reproduction: General Behavior
Females give birth to and raises a single pup each season, though twins have been recorded Edit occasionally (Korine et al., 1994).
Estimated gestation of Rousettus aegyptiacus is, 3.5- 4 months each season, with synchronized births towards the end of gestation throughout the colony (Kwiecinski and Griffiths, 1999; Okia, 1987).
Newborn bats are born with deciduous teeth and are altricial - completely naked apart from a thin layer of down along the head and back. Pups are weaned at 6- 10 weeks with no differnce in growth between sexes. Young reach full adult weight and size around nine months old, about the same time young become independent from their mothers (Kwiecinski and Griffiths, 1999). Sexual maturity is reached on average at 15 months, however, females have been noted to be sexually mature at 5 - 7 months ("Egyptian Fruit Bat", 2006).
advanced intermediate "Egyptian Fruit Bat", 2006; Korine, Izhaki, and Makin, 1994; Kwiecinski and Griffiths, 1999; Okia, 1987
Breeding interval: Twice yearly
Breeding season: April to August and October to February
Number of offspring: 1 to 2
Gestation period: 3.5 to 4 months
Birth Mass: 17.9 to 22.5 g
Time to weaning: 6 to 10 weeks
Time to independence: 8 to 9 months
Age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 5 to 16 months
Age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 14 to 18 months
Key reproductive features: Seasonal breeding; Gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); Sexual; Viviparous.
Reproduction: Parental Investment
After birth Rousettus aegyptiacus pups are cared for solely by their mothers for around nine Edit months. They are capable of flying at 63 - 70 days after birth and will continue to stay with their mother until they have reached, adult weight and size. Once mature, males will leave maternity colony to join bachelor groups, and females will join a maternity colony (Kwiecinski and Griffiths, 1999).
advanced intermediate
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Kwiecinski and Griffiths, 1999
Parental investment: Altricial; Female parental care.
Lifespan/Longevity
The lifespan of Rousettus aegyptiacus is 22 years on average with a maximum of 25 years in Edit captivity for both males and females. In wild populations average lifespan is typically 8 - 10 years due to factors such as predation, vitamin D deficiency, calcium-phosphorus imbalance, and osteoproliferation. Longevity in captive bats is also dependent on environmental temperatures, and neurological impairment (Kwiecinski and Griffiths, 1999).
advanced intermediate Kwiecinski and Griffiths, 1999
Longest known lifespan in wild: less than a year years (min)
Longest known lifespan in captivity: 25 years (max)
Expected lifespan in wild: 8 to 10 years
Expected lifespan in captivity: 25 years (max)
Behavior
Rousettus aegyptiacus is found in groups of various sizes ranging from small colonies of 20 to 40 Edit members to large colonies of 9,000. These colonies prefer to roost during the day in dark, slightly humid environments such as cave systems and ruins, though small colonies have been seen roosting in trees (Grzimek, 2003).
During the breeding seasons males and females separate; males forming bachelor groups and females forming maternity colonies. Egyptian fruit bats roost in close contact with other members of the colony to reduce the influence of temperature fluctuations. Close contact among members of the colony also allows communication with each other throughout the day during roosting. Egyptian fruit bats are more active during the late afternoon, into the night when grooming is more frequent (Kwiecinski and Griffiths, 1999).
Rousettus aegyptiacus leave the day roost close to sunset each evening to forage, and return before sunrise. During the summer months the more prolonged intensity of light delays the emergence of Rousettus aegyptiacus from the roost, suggesting a circadian rhythm synchronized to light-dark cycles. Due to the change in light intensity, Rousettus aegyptiacus have different patterns of activity between the summer and winter seasons. Summer seasons experience longer feeding intervals then winter seasons, despite reduced dark periods and delayed roost emergence (Kwiecinski and Griffiths, 1999).
advanced intermediate Grzimek, 2003; Kwiecinski and Griffiths, 1999 Home Range
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Home range varies in Rousettus aegyptiacus. This species has been noted to migrate southward in the northern regions of their geographic range, and forage great distances away from the day-roost. Males appear to have defendable territories, however, no defined sizes have been observed (Kwiecinski and Griffiths, 1999).
advanced intermediate Kwiecinski and Griffiths, 1999
Territory Size:
Key behaviors: troglophilic; flies; nocturnal; motile; colonial.
Communication and Perception
Rousettus aegyptiacus is one of only three members of the Rousettus genus to use both visual Edit orientation and echolocation. Echolocation in this species is produced through a series of crude, short clicks of the tongue against the side of the mouth (Roberts, 1975; Holland et al., 2004).
The short impulsive paired clicks produced by Rousettus aegyptiacus assist in the navigation of their environment in the dark. The frequency range is usually 12-70 kHz, with click structure and duration most similar to dolphins. This form of echolocation utilized by Rousettus aegyptiacus has evolved independently from the echolocation system used by Family Vespertilionidae (Roberts, 1975; Holland et al., 2004; Holland and Waters, 2007).
advanced intermediate Holland and Waters, 2007; Holland, Waters, and Rayner, 2004; Roberts, 1975
Communicates with: visual; acoustic; chemical.
Other communication keywords:
Perception channels: visual; tactile; echolocation; chemical.
Food Habits
Egyptian fruit bats are frugivores, preferring to eat the pulp and juice of very ripe fruit. Rousettus Edit aegyptiacus typically take fruit from trees, such as lilac, mulberry, carob, sycamore, fig, and baobob (Kwiecinski and Griffiths, 1999; Korine et al., 1996; Grzimek, 2003).
Rousettus aegyptiacus consumes 50 -150% of total body mass in fruit each night. After selecting fruit, Egyptian fruit bats will take their fruit and roost close to the feeding tree. Only the pulp and juice is consumed, after thorough chewing; seeds are spit out. Rousettus aegyptiacus feeds while holding the fruit close to the body, as a means of protecting the fruit from being pilfered by other bats. Stealing fruit is common, and as a result Rousettus aegyptiacus is aggressive when feeding (Kwiecinski and Griffiths, 1999).
advanced intermediate Grzimek, 2003; Korine, Arad, and Arieli, 1996; Kwiecinski and Griffiths, 1999
Herbivore: Frugivore.
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Other Diet Features:
Animal Foods:
Plant Foods: Fruit.
Other Foods:
Foraging Behaviors:
Predation
Due to diet, Rousettus aegyptiacus is considered a threat to fruit crops during the growing season. Edit Plantation owners and farmers often hunt Egyptian fruit bats or hire bounty hunters during the flowering and fruiting seasons to reduce the risk of crop damage and profit loss (Fujita and Tuttle, 1991).
Rousettus aegyptiacus, like many members of Family Pteropodidae, is hunted for meat and because of perceptions of being destructive crop pests. As a result roost population densities have declined (Fujita and Tuttle, 1991).
advanced intermediate Fujita and Tuttle, 1991
Known predators:
Humans (homo sapiens)
Anti-predator adaptations::
Ecosystem Roles
Egyptian fruit bats are pollinators of many nocturnally flowering trees throughout paleotropical Edit forests. Due to their frugivorous diet Rousettus aegyptiacus not only pollinate the flowers of fruit trees but also assist as the primary agent in seed dispersal for many tree species (Fujita and Tuttle, 1991).
Rousettus aegyptiacus is a carrier for both ectoparasites and endoparasites throughout their geographic range. Ectoparasites that use Egyptian fruit bats as a host include: Spinturnix lateralis, Ancystropus leleupi, Ancystropus zelebori, Ancystropus lateralis, A. zeleborii, Liponyssus glutinosus, L. longimanus, Eucampsipoda africanum, Nycteribosca africana, N. alluaudi, Eucampsipoda hyrtlii, Nycteribosca diversa, Thaumapsylla brevicep, Nycteribia pedicularia, N. schmidlii, E. hyrtlii, E. hyrtlii, E. africana, Afrocimex leleupi, Thaumapsylla breviceps, Archaeopsylla metallescens, and Alectorobius camicasi (Kwiecinski and Griffiths, 1999).
Endoparasites that are found in Rousettus aegyptiacus include: hemosporidian Plasmodium roussetti, and the roundworm Nycteridocoptes rousetti. Outbreaks of Rabies are also found in populations of Egyptian fruit bats (Kwiecinski and Griffiths, 1999).
advanced intermediate
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Fujita and Tuttle, 1991; Kwiecinski and Griffiths, 1999
Key ways these animals impact their ecosystem: Disperses seeds; Pollinates.
Species (or larger taxonomic groups) used as hosts by this species:
... ... ... ... ...
Species (or larger taxonomic groups) that are mutualists with this species:
Syringa vulgaris Morus Eriobotrya japonica Ceratonia siliqua Ficus sycomorus
Commensal or parasitic species (or larger taxonomic groups) that use this species as a host:
Nycteribosca Nycteridocoptes rousetti Plasmodium roussetti Spinturnix lateralis Ancystropus Liponyssus Eucampsipoda Afrocimex leleupi Thaumapsylla breviceps Archaeopsylla metallescens Alectorobius camicasi
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
Throughout their habitat Egyptian fruit bats, pollinate many commercially grown fruit trees. This Edit species also works to disperse seeds away from the parent plant, allowing seed germination and spread in unpredictable conditions (Fujita and Tuttle, 1991; Izhaki et al., 1995).
advanced intermediate Fujita and Tuttle, 1991; Izhaki, Korine, and Arad, 1995
Ways that people benefit from these animals: food; pollinates crops.
Economic Importance for Humans:
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Negative
Rousettus aegyptiacus is perceived by many fruit farmers to be a pest of fruit crops grown Edit commercially for human production throughout its range, though little evidence supports this and cases are often exaggerated (Albayrak et al., 2008).
advanced intermediate Albayrak, Asan, and Yorulmaz, 2008
Ways that these animals might be a problem for humans:
Conservation Status
Rousettus aegyptiacus is considered species of least concern by the IUCN. However, due to Edit poaching and a negative interaction with commercial farming, there has been a decline in roosting sites over the years (Albayrak et al., 2008).
advanced intermediate Albayrak, Asan, and Yorulmaz, 2008
IUCN Red List: http://www.redlist.org: Least Concern.
US Federal List: http://www.fws.gov/endangered/: No special status.
CITES: http://www.cites.org/eng/app/appendices.shtml: No special status.
State of Michigan List: http://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/data/specialanimals.cfm: No special status.
Other Comments
... Edit
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References
Add Reference Choose a reference format 2006. "Egyptian Fruit Bat" (On-line). Rosamond Gifford Zoo. Accessed April 20, 2010 at http://www.rosamondgiffordzoo.org/assets/uploads/animals/pdf/EgyptianFruitBat.pdf.
Abbrev: "Egyptian Fruit Bat", 2006 Status: ok Delete Edit
Albayrak, I., N. Asan, T. Yorulmaz. 2008. The Natural History of the Egyptian Fruit Bat, Rousettus aegyptiacus, in Turkey (Mammalia: Chiroptera). Turkish Journal of Zoology, 32: 11-18.
Abbrev: Albayrak, Asan and Yorulmaz, 2008 Status: ok Delete Edit
Baydemir, N., I. Albayrak. 2006. A Study on the Breeding Biology of Some Bat Species in Turkey (Mammalia: Chiroptera). Turkish Journal of Zoology, 30: 103-110.
Abbrev: Baydemir and Albayrak, 2006 Status: ok Delete Edit
Bernard, R., G. Cumming. 1997. African Bats: Evolution of Reproductive Patterns and Delays. The Quarterly Review of Biology, 72: 253-274.
Abbrev: Bernard and Cumming, 1997 Status: ok Delete Edit
Fujita, M., M. Tuttle. 1991. Flying Foxes (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae): Threatened Animals of Key Ecological and Economic Importance. Conservation Biology, 5: 455-463.
Abbrev: Fujita and Tuttle, 1991 Status: ok Delete Edit
Grzimek, B. 2003. Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia. Farming Hills, Michigan: Gale Virtual Library.
Abbrev: Grzimek, 2003 Status: ok Delete Edit
Holland, R., D. Waters. 2007. The Effect of Familiarity on Echolocation in the Megachiropteran Bat Rousettus aegyptiacus. Behavior, 144: 1053-1064.
Abbrev: Holland and Waters, 2007 Status: ok Delete Edit
Holland, R., D. Waters, J. Rayner. 2004. Echolocation Signal Structure in the Megachiropteran Bat Rousettus aegyptiacus Geoffrey 1810. The Journal of Experimental Biology, 207: 4361-4369.
Abbrev: Holland, Waters and Rayner, 2004 Status: ok Delete Edit
Izhaki, I., C. Korine, Z. Arad. 1995. The Effect of Bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus) Dispersal on Seed Germination in Eastern Mediterranean Habitats. Oecologia, 101: 335-342.
Abbrev: Izhaki, Korine and Arad, 1995 Status: ok Delete Edit
Korine, C., Z. Arad, A. Arieli. 1996. Nitrogen and Energy Balance of the Fruit Bat Rousettus aegyptlacus on Natural Fruit Diets. Physiological Zoology, 69: 618-634.
Abbrev: Korine, Arad and Arieli, 1996 Status: ok Delete Edit
Korine, C., I. Izhaki, D. Makin. 1994. Population Structure and Emergence Order in the Fruit-bat (Rousettus aeyyptiacus: Mammalia, Chiroptera). The Zoological Society of London, 232: 163-174.
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Abbrev: Korine, Izhaki and Makin, 1994 Status: ok Delete Edit
Kwiecinski, G., T. Griffiths. 1999. Rousettus egyptiacus. Mammalian Species, 611: 1-9.
Abbrev: Kwiecinski and Griffiths, 1999 Status: ok Delete Edit
Nogales, M., J. Rodriguez-Luengo, P. Marrero. 2006. Ecological Effects and Distribution of Invasive Non- Native Mammals on the Canary Islands. Mammal Review, 36: 49-65.
Abbrev: Nogales, Rodriguez-Luengo and Marrero, 2006 Status: ok Delete Edit
Nowak, R. 1999. Walker's mammals of the world. Baltimore: John Hpkins University Press.
Abbrev: Nowak, 1999 Status: ok Delete Edit
Okia, N. 1987. Reproductive Cycles of East African Bats. Journal of Mammalogy, 68: 138-141.
Abbrev: Okia, 1987 Status: ok Delete Edit
Roberts, L. 1975. Confirmation of the Echolocation Pulse Production Mechanism of Rousettus. Journal of Mammalogy, 56: 218-220.
Abbrev: Roberts, 1975 Status: ok Delete Edit
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