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Eidolon helvum
Order: Chiroptera > Family: Pteropodidae > Genus: Eidolon > Species: Eidolon helvum
Common Name: African Straw-colored Fruit Bat [English]
Type Description
In Linnaeus, Anim. Kingdom, 1(1):xvii, 91.
Type Locality
Senegal (restricted by K. Andersen, 1907).
Measurements
Head and body: 150-195 mm
Tail length: 6-20 mm
Forearm Length: 110-135 mm
Weight: 250-311 g
Tail length: 6-20 mm
Forearm Length: 110-135 mm
Weight: 250-311 g
Description
This large common fruit bat has a striking demarcation between the dark wings and the lighter, pale yellow-brown of the back, shoulders and underside (
Distribution
Eidolon helvum is widely distributed over the whole of sub-Saharan Africa including in very dry and high montane areas. Eidolon can be very localized. E. helvum forms colonies were vast amounts of fruit are abundant all year round or close to breeding grounds that are typically noisy (near waterfalls or city streets) (Kingdon, 1984, 1997).
Key References
1. Bergmans, W. 1990. Taxonomy and biogeography of African fruit bats (Mammalia, Megachiroptera). 3. The genera Scotonycteris Matschie, 1894, Casinycteris Thomas, 1910, Pteropus Brisson, 1762, and Eidolon Rafinesque, 1815. Beaufortia 40: 111-177.
2. Bergmans, W. 1997. Taxonomy and biogeography of African fruit bats (Mammalia, Megachiroptera). 5. The genera Lissonycteris Anderson, 1912, Myonycteris Matschie, 1899 and Megaloglossus Pagenstecher, 1885; general remarks and conclusions; annex: Key to all species. Beaufortia 47: 11-90.
3. Kingdon, J. 1984. East African mammals: An atlas of evolution in Africa. (Insectivores and Bats). University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 2A:145-152.
4. Kingdon, J. 1997. The Kingdon field guide to African mammals, AP Natural World Academic Press, Harcourt Brace & Company, San Diego, p. 113-114.
5. Nowak, R. M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World. Sixth ed. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 1:258-263.
6. Simmons, N.B. 2005. Order Chiroptera, pp. 312-529. In Wilson, D. E., and D. M. Reeder, eds., Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, 3rd edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.
7. Swynnerton, G. H., and R. W. Hayman. 1951. A checklist of the land mammals of the Tanganyika Territory and the Zanzibar Protectorate. Journal of the East African Natural History Society, 20(6):274-392.
2. Bergmans, W. 1997. Taxonomy and biogeography of African fruit bats (Mammalia, Megachiroptera). 5. The genera Lissonycteris Anderson, 1912, Myonycteris Matschie, 1899 and Megaloglossus Pagenstecher, 1885; general remarks and conclusions; annex: Key to all species. Beaufortia 47: 11-90.
3. Kingdon, J. 1984. East African mammals: An atlas of evolution in Africa. (Insectivores and Bats). University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 2A:145-152.
4. Kingdon, J. 1997. The Kingdon field guide to African mammals, AP Natural World Academic Press, Harcourt Brace & Company, San Diego, p. 113-114.
5. Nowak, R. M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World. Sixth ed. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 1:258-263.
6. Simmons, N.B. 2005. Order Chiroptera, pp. 312-529. In Wilson, D. E., and D. M. Reeder, eds., Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, 3rd edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.
7. Swynnerton, G. H., and R. W. Hayman. 1951. A checklist of the land mammals of the Tanganyika Territory and the Zanzibar Protectorate. Journal of the East African Natural History Society, 20(6):274-392.