Abstract for presentation at Biodiversity Extinction Crisis Conference - A Pacific Response

Megachiroptera (flying foxes) in Papua New Guinea are extremely vulnerable to over-exploitation by local hunting as they emerge from their roosting caves. This study was conducted to estimate the abundance, reproductive patterns and roost selection of Dobsonia moluccensis and verify the presence of the critically endangered Aproteles bulmerae, both cave-dwelling species, in the Crater Mountain Wildlife Management Area, Eastern Highlands. I surveyed fourteen caves and sink holes, ten with bats and four without, quantifying cave parameters, conducting bat counts, and mist-netting to verify species presence and reproductive patterns. I recorded Aproteles and Dobsonia occupying the same sinkhole (100 individuals of both species together), and Aproteles from a species-specific sink hole with approximately 140 individuals. This sinkhole was adjacent to a large cave with approximately 300 roosting D. moluccensis. Caves and sinkholes with and without flying foxes, and those with and without Aproteles, did not differ in surrounding vegetation density, canopy cover, ease of terrestrial predator access, entrance size or cave/hole depth, or distance to nearest village or house. I could find no strong predictor for whether a cave or hole is inhabited or not by bats or specifically by Aproteles. D. moluccensis reproduces aseasonally and asynchronously throughout the year in the study area. There was a good linear regression fit between forearm length and mass (R ²= 0.89), and at a forearm length of 140 mm and 350 g D. moluccensis becomes reproductively active. Because of the morphological similarities between the two species a total ban on hunting should be put into effect at Aproteles sinkholes as this is the second known population of Aproteles in the world. Megachiroptera are important pollinators and seed dispersers in New Guinea’s forests and locals need to be educated on the importance of these species in ecosystems other than as potential food items.