Temporal changes in distributional range of the Ryukyu flying fox in the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan

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  • Nakamoto Atsushi
    Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Okayama University of Science

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  • 琉球諸島におけるクビワオオコウモリの分布の変遷
  • リュウキュウ ショトウ ニ オケル クビワオオコウモリ ノ ブンプ ノ ヘンセン

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Abstract

<p>I reviewed and analyzed available information in the literature and fossil/semifossil records relevant to the geographic distribution of the Ryukyu flying foxes, Pteropus dasymallus, in the Ryukyu Archipelago, and estimated temporal changes in the range of this species. The Ryukyu Archipelago represents the northernmost extremity of the genus Pteropus, which has obviously been diversified in the tropics. The margins of this distribution is surmised to be a harsh environment, often making populations unstable. Especially in such volant animals as bats, between-island migration may occur relatively easily. Our results suggest: 1) the distributional range of the Ryukyu flying fox has temporally changed at a large scale due to natural dispersal and local extinction; 2) the abundance and range of P. d. inopinatus on the Okinawa islands are respectively currently increasing and expanding; and 3) populations of P. dasymallus on several islands, such as P. d. dasymallus on Kuchinoerabujima Island, are likely to have originated via artificial transportation from the Yaeyama islands. These results suggest that temporal changes in the distribution of the Ryukyu flying fox may have occurred during a relatively short period under the strong influence of human activities. In future studies of insular animals, we should consider both natural spatial dynamics in progress and the influence of human activities.</p>

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