Abstract
The distribution and abundance of the Orii’s flying fox (Pteropus dasymallus inopinatus) in Okinawa Islands were examined from August to November of 2005 and from April to May of 2006. Of 25 islands surveyed, the presence of flying foxes was confirmed on 19 islands together with previous records. We also included new records from eight islands [Izena-jima, Yagaji-jima, Oo-jima (Nago city), Sesoko-jima, Yabuchi-jima, Oo-jima (Nanjyo city), Senaga-jima and Aka-jima]. The population size of flying foxes on most islands around Okinawa-jima Island was small, with a few individuals to several dozens of individuals, as compared with the population size on Okinawa-jima Island. The number of flying foxes on each island tended to correlate negatively with distance from Okinawa-jima Island. Moreover, we did not confirm the presence of flying foxes on islands over 50 km away from Okinawa-jima Island. This distribution pattern suggests that the Orii’s flying fox in Okinawa Islands dispersed randomly from Okinawa-jima Island, which was likely to be the original habitat.
