Basilan Flying Fox
Also known as: Acerodon lucifer (scientific name)
Definition
Basilan Flying Fox is a large fruit bat known only from the Philippines and listed as possibly extinct, having last been confirmed by specimens collected decades ago. Its uncertain fate makes it a symbol of the conservation challenges facing Philippine island bats.
Identities
| Source Type | Identity |
|---|---|
| Wikipedia | Acerodon lucifer |
| Wikidata | Q775576 |
| DBpedia | N/A |
Also Known As
- Acerodon lucifer (scientific name)
Examples and Analogies
The Basilan flying fox is the ghost of Philippine bat conservation, known from so few specimens that its survival remains an open question. It stands as the island counterpart of the giant golden-crowned flying fox, its larger and better-documented relative.
Usage Scenarios
The species is a priority in bat research as surveys revisit historical localities; confirming its survival would be a major conservation event, while its loss would add to the documented extinction pressure on island fruit bats.
Strategies
Strategies include targeted surveys in Basilan, Dinagat and other historically cited localities, protection of lowland forest remnants, engagement of local communities in reporting large fruit bats, and museum genetic work to clarify specimens.
Security and Safety Measures
Safety measures center on preventing any remaining colonies from being disturbed or hunted, since species with tiny populations cannot absorb additional losses.
Historical Context
Named from a specimen collected on Basilan, the species was described over a century ago and has barely been recorded since, with the last confirmed specimens dating to the 1970s, leading authorities to list it as possibly extinct.
Challenges and Controversies
Challenges and controversies include the uncertainty of unconfirmed sightings, continued insecurity and forest loss in parts of its historical range, and the difficulty of funding searches for species that may already be gone.