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The Mariana Fruit Bat (Fahini)
(Pteropus mariannus mariannus)
By: Jo-Annie Tran
DESCRIPTION OF ECOLOGY OF ORGANISM
The Mariana fruit bats are highly depend on the Native forests of Guam and the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). They form big roosts in many of the trees. Trees provide great resting and nursing spots, but also a source of food. Their high metabolism and fast digestive system forces them to constantly seek fruit, nectar, and pollen. They require stepping stone patches where they can maneuver in and between forests residing in islands. Fanihi fly over oceans to get to one island to another.
The Mariana fruit bats are highly depend on the Native forests of Guam and the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). They form big roosts in many of the trees. Trees provide great resting and nursing spots, but also a source of food. Their high metabolism and fast digestive system forces them to constantly seek fruit, nectar, and pollen. They require stepping stone patches where they can maneuver in and between forests residing in islands. Fanihi fly over oceans to get to one island to another.
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GEOGRAPHIC AND POPULATION CHANGES
The Mariana fruit bats are endemic to 14 of the 15 Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands. Finding out their population numbers are really difficult. It is unknown as to when they move form island to island, how long they reside in each island, and how many are in the island. It is noted that the number of bats on bigger island have been declining.
The Mariana fruit bats are endemic to 14 of the 15 Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands. Finding out their population numbers are really difficult. It is unknown as to when they move form island to island, how long they reside in each island, and how many are in the island. It is noted that the number of bats on bigger island have been declining.
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LIST DATE AND TYPE OF LISTING
It is listed as threatened on March 30, 2010.
It is listed as threatened on March 30, 2010.
CAUSE OF LISTING AND MAIN THREAT TO ITS CONTINUED EXISTENCE
These bats no longer live near the Southern parts of the Mariana Islands because of hunting, habitat loss and degradation. Settled humans use part of the land for agriculture leading to an introduction of many non-native plants and animals into the environment. Economic growth and war has also caused a disturbance in the habitat.
These bats no longer live near the Southern parts of the Mariana Islands because of hunting, habitat loss and degradation. Settled humans use part of the land for agriculture leading to an introduction of many non-native plants and animals into the environment. Economic growth and war has also caused a disturbance in the habitat.
Fanihi was also hunted and viewed as a food source in Guam
and CNMI. However, because of the rapidly declining numbers in bat population,
local governments has made hunting illegal since 1970. Illegal hunting causes a
massive threat to the population. Many poachers find it thrilling to hunt down
the last of these fruits bats, and there is little enforcement from the CNMI
Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Although these little creatures are known to evolved and
adapt very quickly, the rapid decline in numbers due to human activities has
made them really vulnerable to natural forces such as typhoons and volcanic
eruptions. Other natural factors that affect their survival is the brown
treesnake. Responsible for the extinction of many native birds, the brown
treesnake is also known to eat baby fanihis.
DESCRIPTION OF RECOVERY PLAN
Fanihi scores a 9 between 1 and 18 on the recovery priority
scale. 1 mean it is the most critical.
The overall goal for recovering the Mariana fruit bats are
so increase their interaction in their metapopulation, deter them away from
areas at high risk of natural disasters, and to change human behavior. Habitat
restoration will give these bats a chance at repopulating the islands, but
there needs to be stricter enforcement on poaching, and a change in culture
where bat meat is such valuable food. The most challenging one will be reaching
out to locals and raising awareness on bat populations.
If future plans go well, the Mariana fruit bat may be
delisted by 2030.
For more information on fruit bats, check out these sites!
http://www.batcon.org/resources/media-education/bats-magazine/bat_article/239
http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Pteropus_mariannus/
Cited:
For more information on fruit bats, check out these sites!
http://www.batcon.org/resources/media-education/bats-magazine/bat_article/239
http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Pteropus_mariannus/
Cited:
Draft Revised Recovery Plan for the Mariana Fruit Bat or Fahini. 2009. Regional Director, US Fish and Wildlife Services, Nov. 2009. Web. 8 June 2015.
http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/100330.pdf
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