Dobsonia chapmani: Negros Naked-Backed Fruit Bat

Negros Naked-Backed Fruit Bat - Dobsonia chapmani
( Rabor, 1952 )

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Subspecies:	Unknown
Est. World Population:	40-50

CITES Status:	NOT LISTED
IUCN Status:	Critically Endangered
U.S. ESA Status:	NOT LISTED

Body Length:
Tail Length:
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Top Speed:
Jumping Ability:	(Horizontal)

Life Span:	in the Wild
Life Span:	in Captivity

Sexual Maturity:	(Females)
Sexual Maturity:	(Males)
Litter Size:
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Habitat:

Dobsonia chapmani was previously found to be common in lowland forest in southern Negros Island (Rabor 1986). Currently, extant subpopulations of fewer than 50 mature individuals are thought to persist in remnant patches of secondary forest on karst limestone on both Negros (Alcala et al. 2004) and Cebu (Paguntalan et al. 2004) where the natural vegetation on steep slopes can include batino (Alstonia macrophylla), hindunganon (Macaranga sp.), tubug (Ficus septica) and matamban (Mallotus sp.) (Paguntalan et al. 2004). The surrounding agricultural clearings are typically planted with abacca (Musa textiles), gabi (Colocasia esculenta) and coconuts (Cocos nucifera) (Paguntalan et al. 2004). The forest patch remnants at Carmen and Catmon (Cebu Island) and Calatong (southern Negros Island), are likely critically important sites for the species. Unfortunately, the available forest habitat for the species quite limited (Alcala et al. 2004), especially on Cebu where the series of small secondary-growth forest fragments on limestone are highly disturbed (Paguntalan et al. 2004).

Records suggest that the species is likely a cave obligate dweller (Rabor 1986, Heaney and Heideman 1987, Utzurrum 1992) and likely roosts in caves (or large cracks) in limestone and forages in karst-forest habitats (Heaney et al. 1998, Paguntalan et al. 2004), which have less rainfall than in other parts of the country. However, three individuals were collected roosting in coconut fronds (Rabor 1954), suggesting that D. chapmani may be more flexible in some of its foraging and roosting habits and may be able to use of degraded and highly disturbed habitats (Paguntalan et al. 2004). Additional research into the species ecology and habitat requirements are warranted to inform future research and conservation initiatives.

Range:

Dobsonia chapmani is a large fruit bat that is endemic to the Philippines and is found from sea level to 860 m on Cebu and Negros Islands (Heaney et al. 1998, Simmons 2005). It was previously considered extinct (Heaney et al. 1998) and was rediscovered at Carmen and Catmon on Cebu Island in 2001 (Pangutalan et al. 2004), and Calatong (near Sipalay City), Negros Occidental province, southwest Negros Island, in 2003 (Alcala et al. 2004). The species has not been seen since 2003 and additional surveys are needed to confirm the species extant distribution throughout Cebu and Negros Islands.

Conservation:

The status of Dobsonia chapmani on both Cebu and Negros Islands is unknown since its rediscovery in 2001 and 2003. On Cebu, in the Catmon municipal watershed the species subsequently adopted as a flagship species by the Local Government Unit (LGU) in the Carmen municipality; the municipal government declared the caves where these bats occur as Naked-backed Fruit Bat Sanctuaries and reforestation projects were launched. The Carmen LGU had established environment protection coordinators to patrol the area, survey cave sanctuaries, and report violations (tree harvest and bat hunting) to the municipal mayor and council. Further, the largest remaining forest fragment on Cebu is not within a protected area and was not included in the listing of Key Conservation Sites in Cebu (Mallari et al. 2001). Unfortunately, subsequent political issues and social unrest the region prevented subsequent work there in the 2000s, no further work has been reported, and the status of these proactive initiatives are unknown.

On Negros, the species is known from a provincial level forest reserve in Calatong in southwest Negros; two towns had pending resolutions to adopt Dobsonia chapmani as a flagship species in the 2000s; the current status of the efforts are unknown

On both Cebu and Negros, there is an urgent need to assess the status of the conservation efforts started in the 2000s and help bring them to resolution. Cave roosts need immediate and effective protection, and further research into the species ecology, habitat requirements, threats, and population status and trends are warranted.