Predators of this species have not been reported.
Balionycteris maculata can grow to be about 50 to 66 mm in length, and can weigh up to 14.5 g. They have no external tail, a short nose, and the length of their forearm ranges from 39 to 43 mm.
These fruit bats have unique dentition, in that they only have one pair of lower incisors.
The color of pelage can range from sooty brown to a grayish tint. Balionycteris maculata has a black head and the wings are marked with yellow spots. A baculum is present in males.
The only other bat with which this species could be confused is Chironax melanocephalus, or black-capped fruit bats. These two species which share similar external characteristics, although the latter is slightly smaller, differs in dental characters, and lacks spots on the wings.
Range mass: 9.5 to 14.5 g.
Range length: 50 to 66 mm.
Range wingspan: 39 to 44 mm.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry
No information on the lifespan/longevity of this species is available. As the only member of the genus Balionycteris, it is not even possible to generalize from closely related species.
Spotted-winged fruit bats prefer forests, lowlands, or foothills, and are commonly found in and around Eastern Asia.
Habitat Regions: temperate ; tropical ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: forest
Balionycteris maculata uses a variety of postures in communciation, as well as a number of noises. These bats are reported to be very vocal. It is likely that tactile communication is important in the roost, between mates, rival, and between parents and their offspring. The role of scent cues in communication in this species has not been documented, but is probably at least minimally important.
Communication Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; ultrasound ; echolocation ; chemical
From what I have gathered there has not been a special status that has been placed on this mammal.
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
Occasionally B. maculata has been know to damage fruit crops, reducing the fruit yield for local farmers.
Negative Impacts: crop pest
There is no information avaiable suggesting any positive economic impact of these animals on humans.
These bats are frugivores and may be important in seed dispersal.
Ecosystem Impact: disperses seeds
As the common name suggests, this mammal is frugivorous, primarily feeding on fruit, pollen, and nectar. Balionycteris maculata consumes fruit by utilizing the juices and spitting out the fibers. It has been reported that this animal also feeds on insects.
Animal Foods: insects
Plant Foods: fruit; nectar; flowers
Primary Diet: herbivore (Frugivore )
Spotted-winged fruit bats are native to Thailand, Malaysia, and Borneo.
Biogeographic Regions: oriental (Native ); oceanic islands (Native )
Other Geographic Terms: island endemic
No information was found on mating systems.
Data on the reproductive characteristics of this species are lacking. However, it is likely that B. maculata is similar to other temperate/tropical fruit bats.
Most fruit bats reach puberty in the second year after birth. Copulation is accomplished while suspended by the hind legs in the roost. Females can produce 1 to 2 young per year, although typically only give birth to one young at a time. Fruit bats are known to breed throughout the year, with young being born every month of the year. Delayed implantation may occur.
Breeding interval: The breeding interval of this species is not known, but is likely to be once or twice per year.
Breeding season: The breeding season of these animals has not been reported, but is likely to be throughout the year.
Range number of offspring: 1 to 2.
Average number of offspring: 1.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 2 years.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 2 years.
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; year-round breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization ; viviparous ; delayed implantation
Parental care in this species has not been documented. However, as mammals, females of this species are known to provide their young with milk and protection. The mother probably also grooms her offspring, and cares for them while they reach maturity. The role of males in parental care has not been established.
Parental Investment: no parental involvement; pre-fertilization (Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-independence (Protecting)
The spotted-winged fruit bat, (Balionycteris maculata) is the smallest megabat in the world, and the only species in the genus Balionycteris. It inhabits forests in Indonesia and Malaysia.
Spotted-winged fruit bats are unusually small megabats, with a head-body length of 5.2 to 6.2 centimetres (2.0 to 2.4 in),[2] a wingspan of 28 centimetres (11 in), and an adult body weight of around 13 grams (0.46 oz). Most of the head and body are covered in thick blackish-brown fur, while the underparts are a pale grey-brown. Their wings are dark brown, with distinctive pale cream spots, which are most noticeable on the joints, but are also found in a variable pattern across the wing membranes.[3] The wings have been reported to have an aspect ratio of 5.8 and a wing loading of 9.51 N/m2.[4]
There are also pale markings in front of the large eyes, and on the ears, which are simple in shape, compared with those of microbats. The nostrils are elongated, and splayed to the side of the snout. The species can be distinguished from other small fruit bats by the presence of the spots on its wings, but also by its unusual dental formula of 2.1.3.21.1.3.2.[3]
Spotted-winged fruit bats inhabit primary rain forest up to 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) elevation, and coastal mangrove forests. They are found across Malaysia and Brunei, and in the northern and western parts of the island of Borneo in Indonesia. At the edges of their range, they have also been reported from Trang Province in southern Thailand, from a small area in Sumatra, and from the Riau Archipelago. No subspecies are known.[3]
Spotted-winged fruit bats forage in the understory of dense forest[4] where they feed on a range of generally small, inconspicuous fruit, such as figs and persimmon, and on some insects and spiders. They spend the day roosting alone or in small groups consisting of a male and up to nine females and their young. Rather than remaining with a single male, females may visit up to three different males. Males return regularly to their roosts during the night, suggesting that they gain access to females by controlling and defending prime roosting sites.[5]
They forage as individuals, rather than in a group, and rarely travel more than 1 kilometre (0.6 mi) from their roost site. They have been observed to make high-pitched "peep" noises when foraging, as well as more complex series of sounds when socialising. Roosts are of a consistent shape and size, and may be partially excavated by the bats, a behaviour that is otherwise unknown in this group of animals. They are generally located in the root masses of epiphytic plants, such as ferns, and also in the nests of ants and termites.[5]
Females give birth to a single young up to twice a year, typically between June and January. The young are born blind, and weighing around 3.5 grams (0.12 oz), after a gestation of 135 days. They are weaned by 40–80 days, and are able to fly by the time they have reached 5 grams (0.18 oz) in weight. Females are sexually mature at ten months of age.[3]
The spotted-winged fruit bat, (Balionycteris maculata) is the smallest megabat in the world, and the only species in the genus Balionycteris. It inhabits forests in Indonesia and Malaysia.