Okinawa flying fox [SEP] parent taxon
Okinawa flying fox
The Okinawa flying fox ("Pteropus loochoensis") is a species of megabat in the genus "Pteropus". It is endemic to possibly Japan. It was previously listed as extinct by the IUCN, but because the two known specimens are taxonomically uncertain and of unknown provenance, it was changed to 'Data Deficient'. Some place this animal into synonymy under "Pteropus mariannus".
Two specimens are in the British Natural History Museum, and the whereabouts of the third is unknown. Two of
pollinates a species of climbing vine, "Mucuna macrocarpa".
It is a nocturnal species, usually solitary roosting in trees during the day and foraging at night.
The Ryukyu flying fox enhances seed dispersal, as seeds from digested fruits are deposited as guano up to from the parent trees.
Distribution and habitat.
The Ryukyu flying fox is native to Taiwan, Japan and the Philippines. In Japan it is found on the Ōsumi Islands, Tokara Islands, Okinawa Islands, Miyako Islands, Yaeyama Islands and Daitō