Identification:
This bat is of medium size, with a body length of 82-90 mm, a short tail, and a forearm length of 58-62 mm. The metacarpal length is approximately 14 mm, the greatest skull length is 27.7-28.2 mm, the zygomatic arch width is 17.8-18.3 mm, and the mandible length is 10.2-10.5 mm. This bat species has an upper lip that does not extend towards the outer edge of the mouth. The nose slopes slightly towards the apex. The nose is short and rounded, appearing quadrangular in profile, with no parallel sides. The interorbital region does not bulge, and the groove is shallow. This species is distinguished from Cynopterus sphinx by its larger size and the absence of white coloration on the ear margins and digits. The muzzle is short and broad.
Biology and Ecology:
Their primary diet consists of nectar and pollen. They are major pollinators for forest trees, including commercially important species such as durian (Durio zibethinus), kapok (Gossampinus malabarica), and mangrove (Rhizophora sp.). They typically live in colonies within tree hollows. They can travel up to 30 km from their roosting sites to forage. They are seed and pollen dispersers.
Distribution:
Found throughout Southeast Asia, including Sulawesi and the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
In Vietnam, this species is found in Vĩnh Phúc (Tam Đảo), Kon Tum (Đăk Tô), Lâm Đồng (Đanar), Ninh Thuận (Nha Hố), Đồng Nai (Tân Phú), Sóc Trăng, and Hồ Chí Minh City (Cần Giờ).
Value:
This is a rare species, valuable for scientific research and aesthetics. It serves as a pollinator and seed disperser for flowering plants in the natural environment.