The Angolan fruit bat, Angolan rousette or silky bat (Myonycteris angolensis) is a species of megabat in the family Pteropodidae. It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, moist savanna, and rocky areas.
| Angolan fruit bat | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Pteropodidae |
| Genus: | Myonycteris |
| Species: | M. angolensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Myonycteris angolensis (Bocage, 1898) | |
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| Angolan rousette range | |
| Synonyms | |
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Taxonomy and etymology
It was described in 1898 by Portuguese zoologist José Vicente Barbosa du Bocage. Bocage initially placed it in the now-defunct genus Cynonycteris, with a binomial of C. angolensis.[2] Its species name "angolensis" is Latin for "Angolan," likely in reference to the fact that the holotype was collected near Pungo Andongo in Angola.
Description
Its forearm length is 68–90 mm (2.7–3.5 in) and it weighs 60–87 g (2.1–3.1 oz).[3]
Biology and ecology
It is frugivorous. Consumed fruits include fruits of various trees, including fig trees, Anthocleista, Milicia excelsa, and Adenia.[3]
Range and habitat
The Angolan rousette has a wide range encompassing parts of West, East, and Central Africa. It is found from sea level to 4,000 m (13,000 ft) above sea level.[1]
Conservation
As of 2017, it is evaluated as a least-concern species by the IUCN. It meets the criteria for this classification because it has a wide geographic range; its population is presumably large; its range includes protected areas; it is not likely to be in rapid population decline; and it tolerates a degree of anthropogenic habitat disturbance.[1]
References
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