By Kari Severson
Geographic Range
Cynopterus brachyotis is distributed in Sri Lanka, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, southern Burma, Thailand, southern China, Indochina, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, Kangean Islands, Borneo, Bali, Sulawesi, and the Philippines. (Nowak, 1997)
Biogeographic Regions:
oriental 
(native ); oceanic islands (native ).
Habitat
Cynopterus brachyotis is phytophilic (plant-loving). It can be found in tropical rainforests sleeping under modified palm leaves, as well as orchid leaves. (Crichton and Krutzsch, 2000; Richarz and Limbrunner, 1993)
These animals are found in the following types of habitat:
tropical .
Terrestrial Biomes:
rainforest .
Physical Description
(1.06 to 3.52 oz)
(2.76 to 5 in)
(12.01 to 17.99 in)
Cynopterus brachyotis has a fox-like face, large dark eyes, short brown hair, and dark, spotted wings.
The length of the head and body in this genus is 70 to 127 mm. The tail adds an additional 6 to 15 mm to the overall length. The forearms of these bats are from 55 to 92 mm long, giving them a wingspan ranging from 305 to 457 mm. Adults weigh about 30 to 100 grams. (Nowak, 1997; Schultes, 2003)
Cynopterus brachyotis is distinguishable from C. sphynx in that the ears of C. brachyotis are, on average, smaller than those of C. sphynx. (Andersen, 1912)
Some key physical features:
endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry .
Reproduction
It is not known how often these animals breed.
These bats breed aseasonally.
The mating system of these animals has not been described. However, based on the association of one male with multiple females, it is most likely polygynous.
Mating systems:
polygynous .
In the Malay Peninsula, breeding is apparently aseasonal, and C. brachyotis may be found pregnant throughout the year. In Thailand breeding is also aseasonal; pregnancies peak from March to June, as well as in January and September. Gestation is thought to last about 120 days, after which the female gives birth to a single young. (Nowak, 1997)
Although data are not available for this species, C. sphinx is reported to weigh 11 grams at birth. Neonates are carried by the mother, and are weaned at 40 to 45 days of age. Female C. sphinx reach sexual maturity at 5 to 6 months of age, with males maturing much later, at 15 to 20 months of age. It is likely that C. brachyotis is similar in these parameters. (Nowak, 1997)
Reproduction in C. brachyotis is timed so that lactation corresponds with the peak of the rainy season--which is the fruiting season. (Crichton and Krutzsch, 2000)
Key reproductive features:
iteroparous ; year-round breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization ; viviparous ; delayed implantation .
Young can cling to the mother from birth, but must be carried for over a month. Both the male and female care for the young. Males have mammary glands that are equal in size to the females’ (greater than 8% of total body mass), so males are thought to play an active role in lactation and feeding young. (Crichton and Krutzsch, 2000)
Parental investment:
altricial ; pre-fertilization (provisioning, protecting: female); pre-hatching/birth (provisioning: female, protecting: female); pre-weaning/fledging (provisioning: male, female, protecting: male, female).
Lifespan/Longevity
Cynopterus brachyotis lives about 20 to 30 years. (Crichton and Krutzsch, 2000)
Behavior
Individual C. brachyotis roost alone (young males) or in groups (usually one male and about four females, although there are sometimes up to twenty females in these groups). (Richarz and Limbrunner, 1993)
These bats are known to construct shelters. They sometimes bite off the center part of palm fruit clusters, thereby leaving a hollow in which to hang. Males spend up to two months chewing the veins of leaves and palm fronds until they fall and are ready to be formed into a shelter. (Nowak, 1997)
Home Range
The home range size for these animals has not been reported.
Communication and Perception
Cynopterus brachyotis communicates using tactile, visual, and acoustic stimuli. They use their acute sense of smell to find food and rely on their keen vision to navigate. (Crichton and Krutzsch, 2000)
Food Habits
Cynopterus brachyotis is frugivorous. These bats feed on fruit, mostly mangoes, but also any fruit that is aromatic and available. They are thought to consume mainly the juices of the fruits and to expel the pulp. (Crichton and Krutzsch, 2000; Nowak, 1997)
Plant Foods:
fruit.
Predation
- humans (Homo sapiens)
Ability to fly has kept C. brachyotis relatively free from terrestrial carnivores. However, in some cultures, humans consider them a delicacy. (Nowak, 1997)
Ecosystem Roles
Many fruits (bananas, avocadoes, dates, mangoes, peaches, tequila) rely on C. brachyotis for seed dispersal. These bats may also play a role in plant pollination. (Schultes, 2003)
Key ways these animals impact their ecosystem:
disperses seeds; pollinates.
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
Because of their frugivorous inclination, these bats can cause some crop damage.
Ways that these animals might be a problem for humans:
crop pest.
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
Outside of the limited use of these bats as food, there is no direct economic benefit of this species for humans. However, because they are so important in dispersing seeds and pollinating plants, humans who rely on the plants these bats affect are indebted to the bats as well. (Nowak, 1997)
Ways that people benefit from these animals:
food .
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: [link]:
Lower Risk - Least Concern.
US Migratory Bird Act: [link]:
No special status.
US Federal List: [link]:
No special status.
CITES: [link]:
No special status.
Cynopterus brachyotis is not especially threatened.
For More Information
Find Cynopterus brachyotis information at
Contributors
Nancy Shefferly (editor), Animal Diversity Web Staff.
Allison Poor (editor), University of Michigan.
Kari Severson (author), Humboldt State University.
Brian Arbogast (editor), Humboldt State University.
