| Citation |
Bates, P., Bumrungsri, S., Molur, S. & Srinivasulu, C. 2008. Cynopterus sphinx. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008: e.T6106A12427966. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T6106A12427966.en. Downloaded on 29 May 2019. |
Description |
Geographic Range
NATIVE
Extant
Bangladesh; Bhutan; Cambodia; China; Hong Kong; India; Indonesia; Lao Peoples Democratic Republic; Malaysia; Myanmar; Nepal; Pakistan; Sri Lanka; Thailand; Viet Nam
NUMBER OF LOCATIONS
UPPER ELEVATION LIMIT
400 metres
LOWER ELEVATION LIMIT
0 metres
Geographic Range in detail
ESTIMATED AREA OF OCCUPANCY (AOO) (KM²)
>2,001sq.km.
CONTINUING DECLINE IN AREA OF OCCUPANCY (AOO)
EXTREME FLUCTUATIONS IN AREA OF OCCUPANCY (AOO)
ESTIMATED EXTENT OF OCCURRENCE (EOO) (KM²)
>20,000sq.km.
CONTINUING DECLINE IN EXTENT OF OCCURRENCE (EOO)
EXTREME FLUCTUATIONS IN EXTENT OF OCCURRENCE (EOO)
CONTINUING DECLINE IN NUMBER OF LOCATIONS
EXTREME FLUCTUATIONS IN THE NUMBER OF LOCATIONS
RANGE DESCRIPTION
This species is widely distributed from much of South Asia, through southern China, most of mainland and insular Southeast Asia. In South Asia this species is presently known from Bangladesh (Dhaka, Khulna and Rajsahi divisions), Bhutan (Phuntsholing), India (Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Nicobar Islands, Orissa, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal), Nepal (Central, Eastern, Far Western and Western Nepal), Pakistan (Sind) and Sri Lanka (Central, Eastern, North Central, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva and Western provinces) (Molur et al. 2002). It has been recorded from sea level to an elevation of 400 m asl distributed widely in the region. In southern China, it is found from Tibet to Fujian (Smith and Xie 2008). In Southeast Asia, it ranges from Myanmar in the west, through Thailand, Lao PDR, Viet Nam and Cambodia to Peninsular Malaysia, and from here it occurs in Indonesia (the Mentawai Islands, Sumatra, western Java, Bali, Sumbawa and Sulawesi) and southern Borneo (Kalimantan [Indonesia]).
Population
CURRENT POPULATION TREND
Increasing
NUMBER OF MATURE INDIVIDUALS
POPULATION SEVERELY FRAGMENTED
No
CONTINUING DECLINE OF MATURE INDIVIDUALS
Population in detail
EXTREME FLUCTUATIONS
NO. OF SUBPOPULATIONS
CONTINUING DECLINE IN SUBPOPULATIONS
EXTREME FLUCTUATIONS IN SUBPOPULATIONS
ALL INDIVIDUALS IN ONE SUBPOPULATION
NO. OF INDIVIDUALS IN LARGEST SUBPOPULATION
DESCRIPTION
This is a widespread and very common species. In South Asia, it is considered to be more adaptable than C. brachyotis, and the population of C. sphinx seems to be stable (Molur et al. 2002, C. Srinivasulu pers. comm. September, 2007).
Habitat and Ecology
SYSTEM
Terrestrial
HABITAT TYPE
Artificial/Terrestrial, Forest
GENERATION LENGTH (YEARS)
CONGREGATORY
MOVEMENT PATTERNS
CONTINUING DECLINE IN AREA, EXTENT AND/OR QUALITY OF HABITAT
Habitat and Ecology in detail
HABITAT AND ECOLOGY
This species is found in a wide variety of habitats from rural areas, primary and secondary forested habitats to urban landscapes. It is found as small colonies consisting of 3-7 individuals, sometimes more; it roosts underside leaves, in flower and fruit clusters of Kitul Palm, on Saraka asoka trees and is known to build tents in the roosting trees. It feeds on a variety of fruits both wild and cultivated. It has a low but fast flight. It breeds twice a year, and in some areas is known to breed throughout the year and bears a single young (Bates and Harrison 1997).
CLASSIFICATION SCHEME
Habitats Suitability Major importance
1. Forest 1.5. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Dry Suitable Yes
1.6. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland Suitable Yes
1.9. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane Unknown
14. Artificial/Terrestrial 14.3. Artificial/Terrestrial - Plantations Suitable
14.4. Artificial/Terrestrial - Rural Gardens Suitable
14.5. Artificial/Terrestrial - Urban Areas Marginal
Threats
Threats in detail
THREATS
There are no major threats to this species as a whole. In South Asia, it is locally threatened in parts of its range through deforestation, generally resulting from logging operations and the conversion of land to agriculture and for construction of dams and other developmental activities. It is also under threat due to hunting for medicinal purposes (Molur et al. 2002). In Southeast Asia, it is a pest species of orchards and is hunted for food in some parts of the range. In China, there is some habitat loss and the species is hunted for medicinal purposes.
CLASSIFICATION SCHEME
Threats Timing Stresses Scope Severity Impact score Invasive species Virus |
