Systematics of Megachiropteran Bats in the Solomon Islands

by Carleton J. Phillips

Rousettus amplexicaudatus has at least three subspecies, one of which is endemic to the Solomon Islands. The species is wide-ranging, being known from as far west as Thailand (Ellerman and Morrison-Scott, 1966:93) and as far east as the Solomons.

Fig. 3. Distribution of Rousettus amplexicaudatus hedigeri. For names of islands see [Fig. 2].

Rousettus amplexicaudatus hedigeri Pohle

1953. Rousettus amplexicaudatus hedigeri Pohle, Z. Säugetierk., 17:127, October 27, type from Bougainville.

1887. Cynonycteris brachyotis, Thomas, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 323, March 15; 1888, Thomas, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 475, December 4, from Fauro.

1889. Xantharpyia brachyotis, Matschie, Die Megachiroptera ... naturkunde, p. 68, from Guadalcanal.

1912. Rousettus brachyotis, Andersen, Catalogue of the Chiroptera ... British Museum, 1:809; 1931, Sanborn, Publ. Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Zool. Ser., 18:11, February 12, from Santa Ysabel.