Epomops franqueti
Franquet's epauletted bat

Franquet’s bat (or Franquet’s epauletted fruit bat) is found in western Africa from Cote d’Ivoire through Niger, Nigeria and Cameroon, south to Angola and Zambia. It is common in most of the countries it resides in, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Rwanda, and Uganda. (King and Dallimer, 2010; Mickleburgh, et al., 2008)

Franquet’s bats are solitary or live in small groups in lowland forests near bodies of water. They prefer moist tropical forests but sometimes forage in non-forested areas. They roost in trees ranging from the size of shrubs to those over 6 meters high. (Kingdon, 1974; Mickleburgh, et al., 2008; Van Cakenberghe, et al., 1999)

Epomops franqueti is a member of the family Pteropodidae. It can be distinguished from other pteropodids by distinctive serrated ridges at the back of its palate. Its furry coat varies from deep orange to dark brown in color, and it has a white stomach, pale yellow inner-wing surfaces, and prominent white shoulder patches. Epomops franqueti also has large upper lips to aid in feeding on fruits and flowers, and lacks a tail. Males have forearms between 88 and 100 mm long, while females have forearms between 86 and 94 mm. Males generally weigh between 123 g and 158 g and females usually weigh between 78 g and 130 g. The ears of this species generally range from 25 to 27 mm. (Kingdon, 1974; Rosevear, 1965; Van Cakenberghe, et al., 1999)

No information is available on the mating systems of Epomops franqueti.

Franquet’s epaulleted fruit bats do not have a fixed breeding season but instead, breed throughout the year. There is no additional information regarding the reproductive behavior of this species. (Jones, 1972; Kingdon, 1974)

No information is available concerning parental investment in Epomops franqueti. As a mammal, however, females nurse their young until they are weaned.

No information is available on the lifespan of Epomops franqueti. However, other Pteropodidae have been known to live up to 30 years.

During the day, Epomops franqueti hangs in clusters of leaves in trees, its wings wrapped tightly around itself, with one foot clinging to each side of a branch. It lives alone or in small roosts, and although it is nocturnal, it is awake (although inactive) during the day. Even in captivity, E. franqueti roosts as far away from conspecifics as possible. While defecating, it either holds onto nearby branches by its thumbs and swings its legs down, or it remains hanging by its toes and allows the excrement to drip down the front of its body. (Jones, 1972)

No information is available on the home range of Epomops franqueti.

This species has a variety of calls. It squawks when it is fighting and emits a nasal shriek when in danger or distress. Males call persistently throughout the night with only short breaks for feeding. Research suggests that these calls are used to attract estrus females. There is no information on whether Epomops franqueti uses phermones or chemical cues to communicate, however, such behavior is common among pteropodids. (Jones, 1972; Kingdon, 1974; Rosevear, 1965)

Epomops franqueti eats fruit by crushing it against the ridges on the back of its palate. When all the juice and seeds are gone, it spits the pulp out onto the ground. Although fruit is its primary diet, E. franqueti also consumes flowers. It uses its hands and wrists to eat and is frequently observed holding onto branches with its thumbs while using one wing to feed. (Jones, 1972)

Epomops franqueti is popular in the bushmeat trade, and as a result, humans in various countries actively hunt this species. Although little information is available on the major predators of E. franqueti, carnivorous birds and snakes likely prey on them. Their nocturnal lifestyle likely helps them avoid increased predation pressure by diurnal birds of prey. (Mickleburgh, et al., 2009)

Epomops franqueti is a frugivore and is likely an important seed disperser throughout its range. It also occasionally forages on flowers, which suggests that it may also play a marginal role as a pollinator. Epomops franqueti is also host to a number of endo- and ectoparasites including parasitic protozoa (Hepatocystis brosseti), bacteria (Eperythrozoon), viruses (Ebolavirus), batflies (Nycteribidae and Streblidae), and mites (Binuncus). (Dick and Patterson, 2006; Ewers, 1971; Miltgen, et al., 1977; Uchikawa, 1986)

In Benin, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Nigeria, Epomops franqueti is hunted for their meat. (Mickleburgh, et al., 2009)

Epomops franqueti is loud and can be heard at all hours of the night in Western Africa. In addition, it often feeds on seasonal crops of soft fruit and is therefore viewed as a pest. The species is possibly a reservoir for the Ebola virus, which is transmitted first to apes who then transmit it to humans. Scientists are unsure of the potential transmission mechanisms or how frequently this may occur. (Pourrut, et al., 2007; Rosevear, 1965)

Epomops franqueti is listed as a species of least concern according to the IUCN's Red List of Threatened Species. Their large population appears to be stable with no serious threats.

Some researchers have suggested that Epomops franqueti be divided into two subspecies: Epomops franqueti franqueti and Epomops franqueti strepitans. Epomops franqueti franqueti is found in the eastern region of the geographic range of the species and seems to be slightly larger than E. franqueti strepitans, found in the western part of the range. The lower portion of Niger is the meeting ground for these two subspecies. (Rosevear, 1965)