We follow Happold and Happold (2013) by including Myonycteris goliath , M. petraea , M. ruwenzorii and M. smithii within M. angolensis . However, it is highly likely that M. angolensis represents a species complex (Simmons 2005, Cotterill, 2001, Monadjem et al., 2010a,b) but a complete review of this taxon has yet to be conducted. A recent study showed that the Cytochrome_b sequences of West African M. angolensis smithii differed by only 1.4-2.1% from that of M. angolensis ruwenzorii in the central Congo basin, suggesting that these two taxa are not specifically distinct. The subspecies goliath was first described by Bergmans (1997) and elevated to species status by Cotterill (2001), based mostly on its larger size and its perceived allopatric distribution. Monadjem et al. (2010a) listed goliath as a valid species, but drew attention to the fact that it was also present in northern Mozambique (Monadjem et al., 2010b) and may therefore possibly be continuous with populations of ruwenzorii in southern Tanzania. The status of goliath needs to be re-evaluated with a molecular approach. The distribution of Myoonycteris angolensis petraea appears to be geniunely allopatric and this taxon may well prove to be a distinct species. The status of the L. angolensis angolensis remains uncertain.
The angolensis species complex was previously listed under the genus Lissonycteris . However, a recent molecular review of the tribe Myonycterini clearly shows Lissonycteris embedded within the genus Myonycteris , and due to the rules of priority Lissonycteris becomes a synonym of Myonycteris .
; [batnames2023] Previously included in Lissonycteris , but clearly part of Myonycteris; see Nesi et al. (2013) and Almeida et al. (2020). Some authors have split this complex into more than one species: smithii was recognized as distinct by Peterson et al. (1995) and Cotterill (2001 e ), and goliath and petraea were also treated as distinct species by Cotterill (2001 e ). However, the most recent comprehensive revision of this complex is that of Bergmans(1997), who treated these taxa and ruwenzorii as subspecies of angolensis . Work by Nesi et al. (2013), Kock et al. (2002) andJ. Fahr (pers. comm.) supports Bergmans (1997) treatment of smithii as a subspecies of angolensis ; the status of goliath , petraea , and ruwenzorii remains unclear. Pending further study, which should include molecular comparisons, we have chosen to follow Bergmans (1997) although it seems likely that more than one species may be present in this complex.; [MDD2023] occasionally included under the genus Lissonycteris, although most recent publications include the species under Myonycteris; [MDD2025_2.0] occasionally included under the genus Lissonycteris, although most recent publications include the species under Myonycteris; [batnames2025_1.7] Previously included in Lissonycteris, but clearly part of Myonycteris; see Nesi et al. (2013) and Almeida et al. (2020). Some authors have split this complex into more than one species: smithiiwas recognized as distinct by Peterson et al. (1995) and Cotterill (2001e), and goliath and petraea were also treated as distinct species by Cotterill (2001e). However, the most recent comprehensive revision of this complex is that of Bergmans(1997), who treated these taxa and ruwenzorii as subspecies of angolensis. Work by Nesi et al. (2013), Kock et al. (2002) andJ. Fahr (pers. comm.) supports Bergmans (1997) treatment of smithii as a subspecies of angolensis; the status of goliath, petraea, and ruwenzorii remains unclear. Pending further study, which should include molecular comparisons, we have chosen to follow Bergmans (1997) although it seems likely that more than one species may be present in this complex.; [MDD2025_2.2] occasionally included under the genus Lissonycteris, although most recent publications include the species under Myonycteris crypticola, ruwenzorii, smithi. ruwenzorii, angolensis, smithi angolensis, goliath, petraea, ruwenzorii, smithii crypticola angolensis, goliath, petraea, ruwenzorii, smithii angolensis, goliath, petraea, ruwenzorii, smithii angolensis - crypticola angolensis , smithii, crypticola, ruwenzorii, goliath, petraeaWe follow Happold and Happold (2013) by including Myonycteris goliath , M. petraea , M. ruwenzorii and M. smithii within M. angolensis . However, it is highly likely that M. angolensis represents a species complex (Simmons 2005, Cotterill, 2001, Monadjem et al., 2010a,b) but a complete review of this taxon has yet to be conducted. A recent study showed that the Cytochrome_b sequences of West African M. angolensis smithii differed by only 1.4-2.1% from that of M. angolensis ruwenzorii in the central Congo basin, suggesting that these two taxa are not specifically distinct. The subspecies goliath was first described by Bergmans (1997) and elevated to species status by Cotterill (2001), based mostly on its larger size and its perceived allopatric distribution. Monadjem et al. (2010a) listed goliath as a valid species, but drew attention to the fact that it was also present in northern Mozambique (Monadjem et al., 2010b) and may therefore possibly be continuous with populations of ruwenzorii in southern Tanzania. The status of goliath needs to be re-evaluated with a molecular approach. The distribution of Myoonycteris angolensis petraea appears to be geniunely allopatric and this taxon may well prove to be a distinct species. The status of the L. angolensis angolensis remains uncertain.
The angolensis species complex was previously listed under the genus Lissonycteris . However, a recent molecular review of the tribe Myonycterini clearly shows Lissonycteris embedded within the genus Myonycteris , and due to the rules of priority Lissonycteris becomes a synonym of Myonycteris .
angolensis, goliath, petraea, ruwenzorii, smithii angolensis - crypticola angolensis, smithii, crypticola, ruwenzorii, goliath, petraea angolensis, smithii, crypticola, ruwenzorii, goliath, petraea angolensis, goliath, petraea, ruwenzorii, smithii angolensis - crypticola angolensis (du Bocage, 1898)|smithii (O. Thomas, 1908)|crypticola (Cabrera, 1920)|ruwenzorii (Eisentraut, 1965)|smithi (Koopman, 1994) [incorrect subsequent spelling]|goliath (Bergmans, 1997)|petraea (Bergmans, 1997) Corbet, G.B. and Hill, J.E. 1980. A World List of Mammalian Species. British Museum (Natural History), London, 226 pp. Bocage's fruit bat Guinea – Kenya, Angola, Rhodesia, Zambia, Mozambique Honacki, J.H., Kinman, K.E. and Koeppl, J.W. 1982. Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Allen Press, Lawrence, 694 pp. Rousettus angolensis Angola, Quibula, Cahata, Pungo Andongo. Bocage 1898 J. Sei. Math. Phys. Nat. Lisboa, ser. 2, 5:133. Dis tribution: ranging from Senegal to Ethiopia and south to Angola and Mozambique. Corbet, G.B. and Hill, J.E. 1991. A World List of Mammalian Species. Third edition. Oxford University Press, London, 243 pp. ISBN 0-19-854017-5 Bocage's fruit bat Guinea – Ethiopia, Angola, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique Koopman, K.F. 1993. Order Chiroptera. Pp. 137–242 in Wilson, D.E. and Reeder, D.M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Second edition. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, 1206 pp. Bocage 1898 J. Sci. Math. Phys. Nat. Lisboa, ser. 2, 5:133. Subgenus Lissonycteris. Formerly included in genus Lissonycteris; see Koopman (1975:361-362). Senegal and Angola to Ethiopia and Mozambique; Bioko. Angola, Quibula, Cahata, Pungo Andongo. BOCAGE 1889 A medium sized species (forearm length, 66-84 mm). Dis tribution: ranging from Senegal to Ethiopia and south to Angola and Mozambique. Three cur rently recognized subspecies: R. a. ruwenzorii (Ethiopia to Uganda and Tanzania), R. a. angolensis (= crypticola) (Cameroon to Zimbabwe, Fernando Poo), R. a. smithi (Senegal to Togo). 20 species R. angolensis BOCAGE 1889 Lissonycteris subgenus Rousettus angolensis A medium sized species (forearm length, 66-84 mm). Three cur rently recognized subspecies: 9. R. angolensis (BOCAGE 1889). 9 _M. a. angolensis_ (Bocage, 1898) (synonyms: _crypticola_ (Cabrera, 1920)); _M. a. goliath_ (Bergmans, 1997); _M. a. petraea_ (Bergmans, 1997); _M. a. ruwenzorii_ (Eisentraut, 1965); _M. a. smithii_ (Thomas, 1908) Don E. Wilson & DeeAnn M. Reeder (editors). 2005. Mammal Species of the World. A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed), Johns Hopkins University Press, 2,142 pp. (Available from Johns Hopkins University Press, 1-800-537-5487 or (410) 516-6900, or at http://www.press.jhu.edu). CHIROPTERA Pteropodidae Lissonycteris angolensis Lissonycteris angolensis Bocage y 1898 J. Sci. Math. Phys. Nat. Lisboa, ser. 2 5 133 Angolan Soft-furred Fruit Bat Angola, Quibula, Cahata, Pungo Andongo. Gambia, Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Sudan, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea (Bioko only), Republic of Congo, Dem. Rep. Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique. IUCN/SSC Action Plan (1992) – Not Threatened as Rousettus (Lissonycteris) angolensis. IUCN 2003 – Lower Risk (lc) as Rousettus angolensis. crypticola Cabrera, 1920; goliath Bergmans, 1997; petraea Bergmans, 1997; ruwenzorii Eisentraut, 1965; smithii Thomas, 1908. Some authors have split this complex into more than one species: smithii was recognized as distinct by Peterson et al. (1995) and Cotterill (2001e), and goliath and petraea were also treated as distinct species by Cotterill (2001e). However, the most recent comprehensive revision of this complex is that of Bergmans (1997), who treated these taxa and ruwenzorii as subspecies of angolensis. Ongoing work by Kock et al. (2002) and J. Fahr (pers. comm.) supports Bergmans (1997) treatment of smithii as a subspecies of angolensis; the status of goliath, petraea, and ruwenzorii remains unclear. Pending further study, which should include molecular comparisons, I have chosen to follow Bergmans (1997) although it seems likely that more than one species may be present in this complex. 03AD87FAFFE5F6088C663FD2F898FE35 Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions 978-84-16728-19-0 hbmw_9_Pteropodidae_16.pdf.imf hash://md5/ff94ff82ffc4f62a891e341cffa5ff9b 91 zip:hash://sha256/ec5fd314a06aba1a7b0b72f23e54ac625ae272bd98f82f1d01f4c09627d9e8e0!/treatments-xml-main/data/03/AD/87/03AD87FAFFE5F6088C663FD2F898FE35.xml Lissonycteris angolensis Pteropodidae Lissonycteris angolensis 1898 Lissonyctere d Angola @fr | Angola-Samtfellflughund @de | Lisonicterio de Angola @es | Angolan Fruit Bat @en | Angolan Rousette @en of L. angolensis has been problematic. It was formerly included in Rousettus , subgenus Lissonycteris . Based on morphological and behavioral characteristics and molecular phylogenetic analyses, Lissonycteris belongs in the tribe Myonycterini ; in fact, it might be congeneric with Myonycteris . Here, the single species L. angolensis is recognized pending further studies, but some authors have raised subspecies goliath and ruwenzorii to distinct species. Five subspecies recognized. L.a.angolensisBocage,1898—fromBeninStoWAngola(Wof22°E);alsoBiokoI. L.a.goliathBergmans,1997—EZimbabweandCMozambique(Eof30°EandSof16°8). L.a.petraeaBergmans,1997—EthiopianHighlands(Eof34°EandNof6°N). L.a.ruwenzoriiEisentraut,1965—SouthSudan,DRCongo,Uganda,Rwanda,Burundi,Kenya,Tanzania,NZambia,andNMalawi(Eof22°Eandbetween6°Nand12°S). L. a. smithii Thomas, 1908 — W Africa, from Senegal and Gambia to Togo (W of 2° E ). Head-body 90-140 mm , tail 6-21 mm , ear 15-25 mm , hindfoot 16-25 mm , forearm 68-90 mm ; weight 60-87 g . The Angolan Soft-furred Fruit Bat has relatively short muzzle; expansible lips and cheeks; large and brown eyes; and dark brown naked ears, with rounded tips and distinct antitragus. Adult males lack epaulettes; dorsum is generally dark rusty brown to dark golden brown or grayish brown in both sexes (some individuals are darker on head and hindlegs). Pelage is long, soft, dense, mid-dorsally 10 mm on average, and combined with longer hairs, extending along forearm dorsally and ventrally and on uropatagium and hindlegs onto ankles; hairs have pale brown bases and dark brown tips. Venter is slightly paler and grayer than dorsum; throat has ruff of coarse hairs in males extending to upper pectoral area and ending in a curl on each shoulder; in females, this area is less extensive (not reaching shoulders or pectoral area) and covered with sparser and longer hairs; ruff on males becomes sticky during certain periods of the year, possibly due to glandular secretions that are linked to sexual behavior, although thisstill needs to be confirmed because no glands are found in area covered by ruff. Toes are inconspicuously webbed. Wings have claw on second digits, membranes are dark brown (darker wing margins in some individuals), sparsely covered in hairs and attach to back of second toes; uropatagium is V-shaped; and calcaris short. Rostrum is medium in length; braincase is slightly deflected downward; premaxillae are fused; zygomatic arches are moderate; and there are seven thick palatal ridges, of which five are interdental, and ridges 1-3 are not divided. Dental formula is 12/2, C1/1,P 3/3, M 2/3 (x2) = 34. Upper cheekteeth, especially P* and M', are squarish in occlusal view, and P, small or minute. Supernumerary teeth can be present. Chromosomal complement has 2n = 36 and FNa = 66, with twelve pairs of large to small metacentric and submetacentric, four pairs of medium-sized subtelocentric, and one pair of small acrocentric autosomes. X-chromosome is submetacentric, and Y-chromosomeis acrocentric. In other samples, no subtelocentric autosomes were observed, but there were 16 pairs of meta- and submetacentric autosomes. Rainforest, Rainforest Savanna mosaics, Afromontane-Afroalpine, Guinea Savanna, and Zambezian Woodland biotic zones from sea level up to elevations of 2667 m (some reports up to 4000 m ). In forest zones, Angolan Soft-furred Fruit Bats are generally found near edges and missing in more central areas. In savanna and woodland zones,it is largely found in relict or riverine forests or nearby wetter areas. The Angolan Soft-furred Fruit Bat forages below the canopy, where it directly lands on soft fruits that are eaten on the spot or carried to a nearby branch; juice is swallowed, and seeds and dry pulp are discarded. Fruit is carried in the mouth and manipulated with hindfeet only. Diet includes fruits of Ficus, Chlorophora , and Milicia ( Moraceae ); Anthocleista ( Gentianaceae ); Solanum ( Solanaceae ); Adenia ( Passifloraceae ); Mangifera indica ( Anacardiaceae ); Psidium guajava and Syzygiumjambos ( Myrtaceae ); and Maesopsis eminii ( Rhamnaceae ). Litter size of the Angolan Soft-furred Fruit Bat is one. Reproductive chronology is uncertain, although polyestry seems highly probable in various localities. In Liberia , females were pregnant in July, and births occurred in September. In Nigeria , pregnant females and one lactating female were found in July. On Bioko Island, females were pregnant in February-March and October-November. In southern Republic of the Congo , near-parturient females were found in May-September and November, and lactating females in January-February and June. Gestation lasts c.4 months. Adult males generally move away from roosts occupied by pregnant and lactating females and only return after lactation ends. Angolan Soft-furred Fruit Bats are presumably nocturnal. They are frequently found roosting at cave entrances, old mine adits, and hollow trees and are also found in dense vegetation and under palm leaves. Angolan Soft-furred Fruit Bats frequently roost in groups of 2-50 individuals, occasionally up to 100, and sometimes only singly. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Angolan Soft-furred Fruit Bat has a wide distribution and presumably large population. It has not declined fast enough to warrant a higher conservation category. No major threats are known, but loss of habitat and overharvesting for food can be important In some areas. Bergmans (1997) | Bergmans, Hutson, Mickleburgh & Monadjem (2017) | Denys et al. (2013) | Haiduk et al. (1980) | Happold, M. (2013k) | Koopman (1975) | Lanza et al. (2008) | Mainoya & Howell (1979) | Monadjem, Taylor et al. (2010) | Nesi et al. (2013) | Peterson et al. (1995) | Schutt & Simmons (1998) | Seltzer et al. (2013) | Van Cakenberghe et al. (2017) 52. Angolan Soft-furred Fruit Bat Lissonycteris angolensis French: Lissonyctere dAngola / German: Angola-Samtfellflughund / Spanish: Lisonicterio de Angola Other common names: Angolan Fruit Bat , Angolan Rousette On following pages: 52. Angolan Soft-furred Fruit Bat ( Lissonycteris angolensis ); 53. Little Collared Fruit Bat ( Myonycteris torquata ); 54. Sao Tome Collared Fruit Bat ( Myonycteris brachycephala ); 55. Sierra Leone Collared Fruit Bat ( Myonycteris leptodon ); 56. Bergmans’s Collared Fruit Bat ( Myonycteris relicta ); 57. Broad-faced Fruit Bat ( Plerotes anchietae ); 58. Hammer-headed Fruit Bat ( Hypsignathus monstrosus ); 59. Franquet's Epauletted Fruit Bat ( Epomops franqueti ), 60. Buttikofer’s Epauletted Fruit Bat ( Epomops buettikoferi ); 61. Veldkamp's Epauletted Fruit Bat ( Nanonycteris veldkampii ); 62. Gambian Epauletted Fruit Bat ( Epomophorus gambianus ); 63. Peters's Epauletted Fruit Bat ( Epomophorus crypturus ); 64. Angolan Epauletted Fruit Bat ( Epomophorus angolensis ); 65. Little Epauletted Fruit Bat ( Epomophorus labiatus ); 66. Minor Epauletted Fruit Bat ( Epomophorus minor ); 67. Ansell's Epauletted Fruit Bat ( Epomophorus ansell)); 68. Wahlberg's Epauletted Fruit Bat ( Epomophorus wahlbergi ); 69. Dobson's Epauletted Fruit Bat ( Epomophorus dobsoni ; 70. Sanborn’s Epauletted Fruit Bat ( Epomophorus grandis ); 71. Lesser Epauletted Fruit Bat ( Epomophorus pusillus ); 72. Hayman's Epauletted Fruit Bat ( Epomophorus intermedius ). Taxonomy. Cynonycteris angolensis Bocage, 1898 , Pungo Andongo, north of Cuanza River, Cahata, Quibula, Angola . Taxonomy of L. angolensis has been problematic. It was formerly included in Rousettus , subgenus Lissonycteris . Based on morphological and behavioral characteristics and molecular phylogenetic analyses, Lissonycteris belongs in the tribe Myonycterini ; in fact, it might be congeneric with Myonycteris . Here, the single species L. angolensis is recognized pending further studies, but some authors have raised subspecies goliath and ruwenzorii to distinct species. Five subspecies recognized. Subspecies and Distribution. L.a.angolensisBocage,1898—fromBeninStoWAngola(Wof22°E);alsoBiokoI. L.a.goliathBergmans,1997—EZimbabweandCMozambique(Eof30°EandSof16°8). L.a.petraeaBergmans,1997—EthiopianHighlands(Eof34°EandNof6°N). L.a.ruwenzoriiEisentraut,1965—SouthSudan,DRCongo,Uganda,Rwanda,Burundi,Kenya,Tanzania,NZambia,andNMalawi(Eof22°Eandbetween6°Nand12°S). L. a. smithii Thomas, 1908 — W Africa, from Senegal and Gambia to Togo (W of 2° E ). Descriptive notes. Head-body 90-140 mm , tail 6-21 mm , ear 15-25 mm , hindfoot 16-25 mm , forearm 68-90 mm ; weight 60-87 g . The Angolan Soft-furred Fruit Bat has relatively short muzzle; expansible lips and cheeks; large and brown eyes; and dark brown naked ears, with rounded tips and distinct antitragus. Adult males lack epaulettes; dorsum is generally dark rusty brown to dark golden brown or grayish brown in both sexes (some individuals are darker on head and hindlegs). Pelage is long, soft, dense, mid-dorsally 10 mm on average, and combined with longer hairs, extending along forearm dorsally and ventrally and on uropatagium and hindlegs onto ankles; hairs have pale brown bases and dark brown tips. Venter is slightly paler and grayer than dorsum; throat has ruff of coarse hairs in males extending to upper pectoral area and ending in a curl on each shoulder; in females, this area is less extensive (not reaching shoulders or pectoral area) and covered with sparser and longer hairs; ruff on males becomes sticky during certain periods of the year, possibly due to glandular secretions that are linked to sexual behavior, although thisstill needs to be confirmed because no glands are found in area covered by ruff. Toes are inconspicuously webbed. Wings have claw on second digits, membranes are dark brown (darker wing margins in some individuals), sparsely covered in hairs and attach to back of second toes; uropatagium is V-shaped; and calcaris short. Rostrum is medium in length; braincase is slightly deflected downward; premaxillae are fused; zygomatic arches are moderate; and there are seven thick palatal ridges, of which five are interdental, and ridges 1-3 are not divided. Dental formula is 12/2, C1/1,P 3/3, M 2/3 (x2) = 34. Upper cheekteeth, especially P* and M', are squarish in occlusal view, and P, small or minute. Supernumerary teeth can be present. Chromosomal complement has 2n = 36 and FNa = 66, with twelve pairs of large to small metacentric and submetacentric, four pairs of medium-sized subtelocentric, and one pair of small acrocentric autosomes. X-chromosome is submetacentric, and Y-chromosomeis acrocentric. In other samples, no subtelocentric autosomes were observed, but there were 16 pairs of meta- and submetacentric autosomes. Habitat. Rainforest, Rainforest Savanna mosaics, Afromontane-Afroalpine, Guinea Savanna, and Zambezian Woodland biotic zones from sea level up to elevations of 2667 m (some reports up to 4000 m ). In forest zones, Angolan Soft-furred Fruit Bats are generally found near edges and missing in more central areas. In savanna and woodland zones,it is largely found in relict or riverine forests or nearby wetter areas. Food and Feeding. The Angolan Soft-furred Fruit Bat forages below the canopy, where it directly lands on soft fruits that are eaten on the spot or carried to a nearby branch; juice is swallowed, and seeds and dry pulp are discarded. Fruit is carried in the mouth and manipulated with hindfeet only. Diet includes fruits of Ficus, Chlorophora , and Milicia ( Moraceae ); Anthocleista ( Gentianaceae ); Solanum ( Solanaceae ); Adenia ( Passifloraceae ); Mangifera indica ( Anacardiaceae ); Psidium guajava and Syzygiumjambos ( Myrtaceae ); and Maesopsis eminii ( Rhamnaceae ). Breeding. Litter size of the Angolan Soft-furred Fruit Bat is one. Reproductive chronology is uncertain, although polyestry seems highly probable in various localities. In Liberia , females were pregnant in July, and births occurred in September. In Nigeria , pregnant females and one lactating female were found in July. On Bioko Island, females were pregnant in February-March and October-November. In southern Republic of the Congo , near-parturient females were found in May-September and November, and lactating females in January-February and June. Gestation lasts c.4 months. Adult males generally move away from roosts occupied by pregnant and lactating females and only return after lactation ends. Activity patterns. Angolan Soft-furred Fruit Bats are presumably nocturnal. They are frequently found roosting at cave entrances, old mine adits, and hollow trees and are also found in dense vegetation and under palm leaves. Movements, Home range and Social organization. Angolan Soft-furred Fruit Bats frequently roost in groups of 2-50 individuals, occasionally up to 100, and sometimes only singly. Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Angolan Soft-furred Fruit Bat has a wide distribution and presumably large population. It has not declined fast enough to warrant a higher conservation category. No major threats are known, but loss of habitat and overharvesting for food can be important In some areas. Bibliography. Bergmans (1997), Bergmans, Hutson, Mickleburgh & Monadjem (2017), Denys et al. (2013), Haiduk et al. (1980), Happold, M. (2013k), Koopman (1975), Lanza et al. (2008), Mainoya & Howell (1979), Monadjem, Taylor et al. (2010), Nesi et al. (2013), Peterson et al. (1995), Schutt & Simmons (1998), Seltzer et al. (2013), Van Cakenberghe et al. (2017). Simmons, N.B. and A.L. Cirranello. 2022B. Bat Species of the World: A taxonomic and geographic database. Accessed on 10/11/2022. Pteropodidae Myonycteris angolensis Myonycteris Myonycteris angolensis Bocage 1898 1 J. Sci. Math. Phys. Nat. Lisboa ser. 2, 5: 133 Angolan Soft-furred Fruit Bat crypticola Cabrera, 1920; goliath Bergmans, 1997; petraea Bergmans, 1997; ruwenzorii Eisentraut, 1965; smithii Thomas, 1908. Angola, Quibula, Cahata, Pungo Andongo. Gambia, Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte dâIvoire, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Sudan, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea (Bioko only), Republic of Congo, Dem. Rep. Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique. Not listed. Least Concern as Lissonycteris angolensis Previously included in Lissonycteris , but clearly part of Myonycteris; see Nesi et al. (2013) and Almeida et al. (2020). Some authors have split this complex into more than one species: smithii was recognized as distinct by Peterson et al. (1995) and Cotterill (2001 e ), and goliath and petraea were also treated as distinct species by Cotterill (2001 e ). However, the most recent comprehensive revision of this complex is that of Bergmans(1997), who treated these taxa and ruwenzorii as subspecies of angolensis . Work by Nesi et al. (2013), Kock et al. (2002) andJ. Fahr (pers. comm.) supports Bergmans (1997) treatment of smithii as a subspecies of angolensis ; the status of goliath , petraea , and ruwenzorii remains unclear. Pending further study, which should include molecular comparisons, we have chosen to follow Bergmans (1997) although it seems likely that more than one species may be present in this complex. Mammal Diversity Database. (2023). Mammal Diversity Database (Version 1.11) [Data set]. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7830771 released 15 April 2023 Lissonycteris angolensis 23 Angolan Soft-furred Fruit Bat Angolan Fruit Bat|Angolan Rousette Theria Placentalia Boreoeutheria Laurasiatheria CHIROPTERA PTEROPODIFORMES NA NA PTEROPODOIDEA PTEROPODIDAE ROUSETTINAE MYONYCTERINI Lissonycteris NA angolensis Bocage 1898 1 Cynonycteris_Angolensis du Bocage, J. V. B. (1898). Sur une nouvelle espèce de Cynonycteris d'Angola. Jornal de sciencias mathematicas, physicas e naturaes, ser. 2 t. 5, 133. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/23036#page/149/mode/1up BM 1897.8.6.1 [syntype] Pungo Andongo, north of Cuanza River, Cahata, Quibula, Angola. angolensis (Bocage, 1898)|smithii (O. Thomas, 1908)|crypticola (Cabrera, 1920)|ruwenzorii (Eisentraut, 1965)|goliath Bergmans, 1997|petraea (Bergmans, 1997) moved from Myonycteris to Lissonycteris Almeida, F. C., Simmons, N. B., & Giannini, N. P. (2020). A Species-level Phylogeny of Old World Fruit Bats with a New Higher-level Classification of the Family Pteropodidae. American Museum Novitates, 3950, 1-24. Gambia|Senegal|Guinea|Sierra Leone|Liberia|Côte d'Ivoire|Burkina Faso|Ghana|Togo|Benin?|Nigeria|Cameroon|Chad|Central African Republic|South Sudan|Ethiopia|Equatorial Guinea|Gabon?|Republic of the Congo|Democratic Republic of the Congo|Uganda|Kenya|Rwanda|Burundi|Tanzania|Angola|Zambia|Malawi|Mozambique|Zimbabwe Africa Afrotropic LC 0 0 0 Lissonycteris_angolensis 0 oldname match Lissonycteris_angolensis 0 IUCN. 2022. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2022-1. https://www.iucnredlist.org. Accessed on [28 September, 2022]. 44698 Lissonycteris angolensis ANIMALIA CHORDATA MAMMALIA CHIROPTERA PTEROPODIDAE Lissonycteris angolensis Bocage, 1898We follow Happold and Happold (2013) by including Myonycteris goliath , M. petraea , M. ruwenzorii and M. smithii within M. angolensis . However, it is highly likely that M. angolensis represents a species complex (Simmons 2005, Cotterill, 2001, Monadjem et al., 2010a,b) but a complete review of this taxon has yet to be conducted. A recent study showed that the Cytochrome_b sequences of West African M. angolensis smithii differed by only 1.4-2.1% from that of M. angolensis ruwenzorii in the central Congo basin, suggesting that these two taxa are not specifically distinct. The subspecies goliath was first described by Bergmans (1997) and elevated to species status by Cotterill (2001), based mostly on its larger size and its perceived allopatric distribution. Monadjem et al. (2010a) listed goliath as a valid species, but drew attention to the fact that it was also present in northern Mozambique (Monadjem et al., 2010b) and may therefore possibly be continuous with populations of ruwenzorii in southern Tanzania. The status of goliath needs to be re-evaluated with a molecular approach. The distribution of Myoonycteris angolensis petraea appears to be geniunely allopatric and this taxon may well prove to be a distinct species. The status of the L. angolensis angolensis remains uncertain.
The angolensis species complex was previously listed under the genus Lissonycteris . However, a recent molecular review of the tribe Myonycterini clearly shows Lissonycteris embedded within the genus Myonycteris , and due to the rules of priority Lissonycteris becomes a synonym of Myonycteris .
20000000 Lissonycteris angolensis Least Concern 2017 2016-08-31 00:00:00 UTC 3.1 EnglishListed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, presumed large population, it occurs in a number of protected areas, has a tolerance of a degree of habitat modification, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category.
Populations of this species have been recorded from a diverse range of habitats, including montane tropical forest, lowland tropical moist forest, Zambezian miombo woodland, Sudanian woodland, moist savanna and mosaics of these habitats with grassland. Groups of this species, generally consisting of six to eight animals, can be most often found roosting at cave entrances, old mine adits, hollow trees and amongst dense vegetation (including under palm leaves). Members of the subspecies Myonycteris angolensis goliath have been recorded from lowland moist woodland, mid-altitude and afromontane forest, and is probably associated with caves as roost sites; L. a. petraea is present in evergreen and semi -evergreen bush land, and afromontane vegetation, it too may be associated with caves; L. a. ruwenzorii has been recorded from forest clearings and orchards and may roost in hollow trees (Monadjem, personal observation); L. a. smithi is found in savanna and forest, and is considered fairly adaptable to habitat modification and may occur at higher altitudes up to 1200 m above sea level in Liberia (Monadjem, 2011) and 1500 m above sea level in Guinea (Denys et al., 2013), where it has used old mine adits for roosting at both these sites.
There appear to be no major threats to this species as a whole. Some subspecies, such as Lissonycteris angolensis goliath may be threatened by loss of habitat resulting from logging operations, and disturbance of cave roosting sites. It is possible that some populations of this species are threatened by over harvesting for subsistence food (Edme Ekpe, pers. comm.)
Where present, this species is generally relatively abundant (in terms of numbers of captures), but it is not uniformly distributed throughout its range. Its patchy distribution may be related to its specific roosting requirements which are probably themselves patchily distributed. The subspecies Myonycteris angolensis petraea , is known from only a few specimens and its population ecology is currently unknown. DecreasingThis species is widely distributed at elevations ranging from sea level to 4,000 m Asl, in West Africa, Central Africa and East Africa, with some distinct populations present within southern Africa. It ranges from Senegal and The Gambia in the west, through most of West Africa to Cameroon; from here it ranges southwards into Congo, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola, and eastwards into Central African Republic, southern Sudan, eastern and southern Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda and Burundi. In East Africa it is distributed from Ethiopia in the north through Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. In southern Africa the species is present in northern Zambia, eastern Zimbabwe and Mozambique. The nominate subspecies Myonycteris angolensis angolensis has been recorded from northwestern Angola, central and southern Cameroon, Central African Republic, central Congo, Equatorial Guinea (Bioko, Mbini), Gabon, eastern Nigeria, and northwestern and southwestern Democratic Republic of the Congo; the subspecies M. a. goliath is known from the eastern highlands of Zimbabwe, and central and northern Mozambique (Cotterill 2001, Monadjem et al . 2010a,b), between sea level and 1,800 m Asl; L. a. petraea is found only in Ethiopia, where it has been recorded from six localities between 1,190 and 2,600 m Asl; L. a. ruwenzorii has been recorded from Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, southern Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, northeastern and southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia and Zimbabwe; L. a. smithi is distributed in the lowlands of western Africa, where its distribution follows the savanna and forest zone, it is found up to 1,500 m Asl on Mount Nimba (Denys et al . 2013).
TerrestrialThis species is present in a number of protected areas across Africa, but the status of individual subspecies is not clear, particularly Myonycteris angolensis petraea . This species appears tolerant of some deforestation and in fact is rarely captured deep within primary forest. In fact, this species appears to thrive outside of protected areas. Hence, the impact of deforestation may not be particularly critical for the survival of this species. ;
Afrotropical FALSE FALSE Global Simmons, N. B., & Cirranello, A. L. (2023). Batnames.org Species List Version 1.4 (1.4). Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8136157 Pteropodidae Myonycteris Myonycteris angolensis Bocage 1898 1 J. Sci. Math. Phys. Nat. Lisboa ser. 2, 5: 133 Angolan Soft-furred Fruit Bat crypticola Cabrera, 1920; goliath Bergmans, 1997; petraea Bergmans, 1997; ruwenzorii Eisentraut, 1965; smithii Thomas, 1908. Angola, Quibula, Cahata, Pungo Andongo. Gambia, Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Sudan, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea (Bioko only), Republic of Congo, Dem. Rep. Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique. Not listed. Least Concern as Lissonycteris angolensis Previously included in Lissonycteris , but clearly part of Myonycteris; see Nesi et al. (2013) and Almeida et al. (2020). Some authors have split this complex into more than one species: smithii was recognized as distinct by Peterson et al. (1995) and Cotterill (2001 e ), and goliath and petraea were also treated as distinct species by Cotterill (2001 e ). However, the most recent comprehensive revision of this complex is that of Bergmans(1997), who treated these taxa and ruwenzorii as subspecies of angolensis . Work by Nesi et al. (2013), Kock et al. (2002) andJ. Fahr (pers. comm.) supports Bergmans (1997) treatment of smithii as a subspecies of angolensis ; the status of goliath , petraea , and ruwenzorii remains unclear. Pending further study, which should include molecular comparisons, we have chosen to follow Bergmans (1997) although it seems likely that more than one species may be present in this complex. Myonycteris angolensis 1004531 23 Angolan Soft-furred Fruit Bat Angolan Fruit Bat|Angolan Rousette Theria Placentalia Boreoeutheria Laurasiatheria CHIROPTERA PTEROPODIFORMES NA NA PTEROPODOIDEA Pteropodidae ROUSETTINAE MYONYCTERINI Myonycteris NA angolensis Bocage 1898 1 Cynonycteris_Angolensis du Bocage, J. V. B. (1898). Sur une nouvelle espèce de Cynonycteris d'Angola. Jornal de sciencias mathematicas, physicas e naturaes, ser. 2 t. 5, 133. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/23036#page/149/mode/1up BM 1897.8.6.1 [syntype] Pungo Andongo, north of Cuanza River, Cahata, Quibula, Angola. angolensis (Bocage, 1898)|smithii (O. Thomas, 1908)|crypticola (Cabrera, 1920)|ruwenzorii (Eisentraut, 1965)|goliath (Bergmans, 1997)|petraea (Bergmans, 1997) occasionally included under the genus Lissonycteris, although most recent publications include the species under Myonycteris Almeida, F. C., Simmons, N. B., & Giannini, N. P. (2020). A Species-level Phylogeny of Old World Fruit Bats with a New Higher-level Classification of the Family Pteropodidae. American Museum Novitates, 3950, 1-24. Gambia|Senegal|Guinea|Sierra Leone|Liberia|Côte d'Ivoire|Burkina Faso|Ghana|Togo|Benin?|Nigeria|Cameroon|Chad|Central African Republic|South Sudan|Ethiopia|Equatorial Guinea|Gabon?|Republic of the Congo|Democratic Republic of the Congo|Uganda|Kenya|Rwanda|Burundi|Tanzania|Angola|Zambia|Malawi|Mozambique|Zimbabwe Africa Afrotropic LC 0 0 0 Lissonycteris_angolensis 0 oldname match Lissonycteris_angolensis 0 Burgin, C. J., Zijlstra, J. S., Becker, M. A., Handika, H., Alston, J. M., Widness, J., Liphardt, S., Huckaby, D. G., and Upham, N. S. (2025). How many mammal species are there now? Updates and trends in taxonomic, nomenclatural, and geographic knowledge. Journal of Mammalogy in revision: TBD. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.02.27.640393 Myonycteris_angolensis 1004531 23 Angolan Soft-furred Fruit Bat Angolan Fruit Bat|Angolan Rousette Theria Placentalia Boreoeutheria Laurasiatheria Chiroptera Yinpterochiroptera NA NA Pteropodoidea Pteropodidae Epomophorinae Myonycterini Myonycteris NA angolensis du Bocage 1 Cynonycteris Angolensis Bocage, J.V.B. du. 1898-06. Sur un nouvelle espèce de Cynonycteris d'Angola. Jornal de sciencias mathematicas, physicas e naturaes (2)5(19):133-139. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/3416445 BMNH:Mamm:1897.8.6.1 syntypes https://data.nhm.ac.uk/object/5cc4a53d-e5f5-4c38-8801-f6f048178a00 Pungo Andongo, north of Cuanza River, Cahata, Quibula, Angola. occasionally included under the genus Lissonycteris, although most recent publications include the species under Myonycteris Almeida, F. C., Simmons, N. B., & Giannini, N. P. (2020). A Species-level Phylogeny of Old World Fruit Bats with a New Higher-level Classification of the Family Pteropodidae. American Museum Novitates, 3950, 1-24. Gambia|Senegal|Guinea|Sierra Leone|Liberia|Cote d'Ivoire|Burkina Faso|Ghana|Togo|Benin?|Nigeria|Cameroon|Chad|Central African Republic|South Sudan|Ethiopia|Equatorial Guinea|Gabon?|Republic of the Congo|Democratic Republic of the Congo|Uganda|Kenya|Rwanda|Burundi|Tanzania|Angola|Zambia|Malawi|Mozambique|Zimbabwe Africa Afrotropic LC 0 0 0 Lissonycteris_angolensis 0 oldname match Lissonycteris_angolensis 0 Simmons, N. B., & Cirranello, A. L. (2025). Batnames.org Species List Version 1.7 (1.7). Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14796586 Pteropodidae Myonycteris Myonycteris angolensis Bocage 1898 1 J. Sci. Math. Phys. Nat. Lisboa ser. 2, 5: 133 Angolan Soft-furred Fruit Bat crypticola Cabrera, 1920; goliath Bergmans, 1997; petraea Bergmans, 1997; ruwenzorii Eisentraut, 1965; smithii Thomas, 1908. Angola, Quibula, Cahata, Pungo Andongo. Gambia, Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Sudan, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea (Bioko only), Republic of Congo, Dem. Rep. Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique. Not Listed Least Concern Previously included in Lissonycteris, but clearly part of Myonycteris; see Nesi et al. (2013) and Almeida et al. (2020). Some authors have split this complex into more than one species: smithiiwas recognized as distinct by Peterson et al. (1995) and Cotterill (2001e), and goliath and petraea were also treated as distinct species by Cotterill (2001e). However, the most recent comprehensive revision of this complex is that of Bergmans(1997), who treated these taxa and ruwenzorii as subspecies of angolensis. Work by Nesi et al. (2013), Kock et al. (2002) andJ. Fahr (pers. comm.) supports Bergmans (1997) treatment of smithii as a subspecies of angolensis; the status of goliath, petraea, and ruwenzorii remains unclear. Pending further study, which should include molecular comparisons, we have chosen to follow Bergmans (1997) although it seems likely that more than one species may be present in this complex. Mammal Diversity Database. (2025). Mammal Diversity Database (Version 2.2) [Data set]. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15007505 NA Lissonycteris angolensis; Lissonycteris angolensis; Myonycteris angolensis; Lissonycteris angolensis; Lissonycteris angolensis; Myonycteris angolensis; angolensis; goliath; petraea; ruwenzorii; smithii; crypticola; angolensis; goliath; petraea; ruwenzorii; smithii; goliath; petraea; ruwenzorii; smithii; crypticola; angolensis; smithii; crypticola; ruwenzorii; goliath; petraea; Lissonyctere d Angola; Angola-Samtfellflughund; Lisonicterio de Angola; Angolan Fruit Bat; Angolan Rousette; Angolan Soft-furred Fruit Bat; Angolan Fruit Bat; Angolan Rousette; Angolan Soft-furred Fruit Bat; Angolan Soft-furred Fruit Bat; M. angolensis