Distribution and current state of Ryukyu flying fox, Pteropus dasymallus dasymallus, on Tokara Archipelago, Kagoshima, Japan

Abstract

The Ryukyu flying fox, Pteropus dasymallus dasymallus, which is distributed in the Tokara Archipelago, was investigated in 2023. We reconfirmed that the flying fox P. d. dasymallus inhabits the Nakano-Shima, Akuseki-Jima, and Taira-Jima since over 30 years before the survey. The population of flying foxes on each island were 35, 26, and 2. Flying foxes were not observed at Takara-Jima, Kodakara-Jima, Kuchino-Shima, or Suwanose-Jima; however, in the past, they were temporarily confirmed to have inhabited these regions. Once flying foxes disappear, their population cannot be recovered and resettled on these islands. Because tree species that provided stable food and roosting sites for flying foxes were concentrated in the villages, the living spaces of the flying foxes and local citizens might have overlapped. In other words, the habitats of flying foxes depend on citizens’ awareness of the natural environment. In the future, it will be necessary to promote the rehabilitation of flying foxes by improving their environments; this would require collaboration of islanders, governments, and scientists.