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| Philippine Flying Lemur Cynocephalus volans |
| Common Names: Kagwang, Colugo Discoverer: Linnaeus, 1758 Status: Widespread and common, populations stable. Widespread destruction of lowland forest makes them somewhat vulnerable, but their ability to persist in disturbed forest makes them more resilient than many species. IUCN: VULNERABLE (although current data do not support this listing). Distribution: Philippines only; endemic to the Mindanao Faunal Region. Recorded from Basilan (AMNH), Biliran (USNM), Bohol (FMNH), Dinagat (USNM), Leyte (USNM), Mindanao (Agusan del Norte [UPLB], Bukidnon [FMNH], Davao del Norte [FMNH], Davao del Sur [FMNH], Lanao del Norte [USNM], Lanao del Sur [DMNH], Misamis Occidental [FMNH], Misamis Oriental [DMNH], South Cotabato [FMNH], Surigao del Sur [UPLB], Zamboanga del Norte [FMNH], and Zamboanga del Sur [DMNH] provinces), Samar (FMNH), and Siargao (DMNH). Also reported from Maripipi (Rickart et al., 1993). Description: They are cat-sized and a little smaller than the Malaysian flying lemurs. Fur coloration is usually darker and less spotted than in the Malaysian species. They have huge eyes and faces that resemble those of Old World fruit bats. The head is broad, somewhat like a greyhound's in appearance, with rounded short ears and a blunt muzzle. The limbs are of equal length, with strong sharp claws for climbing, and the toes are connected by webs of skin. This web of skin extends into a distinct structure called a patagium, which stretches from the side of the animal's neck to the tips of the fingers and toes and continues to the very tip of the tail. No other gliding mammal has such an extensive membrane. The arrangement of the unusual and distinctive incisor teeth is similar to that of herbivorous mammals such as cattle or deer. The upper incisors are located on the sides of the jaw and are caniniform, leaving a gap at the front so they do not oppose the forwardly protruded lower incisors. The lower incisors are comb-like with as many as 20 comb tines arising from one root, which may allow scraping and straining food, and also grooming and cleaning the fur. The molars retain a three-cusped insectivore pattern and have a shearing action that includes a large transverse component. This action, and the crenulated enamel of the molars, provide for efficient mastication of plant material. The dental formula is 2/3, 1/1, 2/2, 3/3 = 34. Food Habits: The diet of Cynocephalus volans consists mainly of leaves, buds, and flowers from a variety of tree species. Most of the time, they prefer young leaves because young leaves contain higher nutritional value than old leaves. They also might eat fruits and sap. In general,they prefer larger trees for foraging because larger trees produce more young leaves and other food sources. They use their enlarged tongue and specialized lower incisors to pick leaves in a cow-like fashion. The stomach is specialized for ingesting large quantities of leafy vegetation. The intestines are long and convoluted. Their intestine can approach 4 meters in length. The pyloric digestive region, the part near the exit to the intestines, is enlarged and divided into compartments. These chambers harbors microorganisms that help break down cellulose and other relatively indigestible carbohydrates. Reproduction: Gestation takes 60 days. Usually a single young is produced, but occasionally twins are born. The infant is born in an underdeveloped state (altricial). The infant is carried on the belly of the mother. Behavior: Philippine colugos are crepuscular and seek refuge during the day in holes in trees. Their foraging activities are highest before sunset and a few hours prior to sunrise. They glide from tree to tree by climbing to the top of a tree and then launching themselves into the air. They are in control of their glides, usually landing on the lower trunk of another tree and then climbing up to start another gliding cycle. To move up a tree, they grasp the trunk with their outspread limbs and move both front feet together, then both hind feet. The glide distances can easily reach over 100 meters. Habitat: Common in primary and secondary forest, and in mixed forest and orchard, from sea level to ca. 500 m elevation on small islands, up to ca. 1100 m on Mindanao (Rabor, 1986; Rickart et al., 1993; Wischusen et al., 1992, 1994; Wischusen & Richmond, 1989; Heaney et al., unpubl. data). Philippine colugos are entirely arboreal. They live in the multilayered rain forest. They are also often found near coconut and rubber plantations. Threats: Philippine colugos are hunted for their meat. They are threatened by deforestation and loss of habitat. Interesting Information: These creatures are not lemurs and they do not fly. Molecular data places it to be very primate-like Conservation Efforts/Measures: Photograph Information: Courtesy of "Mammals of the Philippines" by Heaney [ head drawing], Lawrence Heaney [right] and by Paul Heideman [middle] taken from 'Vanishing Treasures of the Philippine Rain Forest" |
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