The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™
ISSN 2307-8235 (online)
IUCN 2008: T20521A9210732
Sphaerias blanfordi, Blandford's Fruit Bat
Assessment by: Bates, P., Bumrungsri, S., Csorba, G. & Francis, C.
View on www.iucnredlist.org
Citation: Bates, P., Bumrungsri, S., Csorba, G. & Francis, C. 2008. Sphaerias blanfordi. The IUCN Red
List of Threatened Species 2008: e.T20521A9210732.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T20521A9210732.en
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THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™
Taxonomy
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Animalia
Chordata
Mammalia
Chiroptera
Pteropodidae
Taxon Name: Sphaerias blanfordi (Thomas, 1891)
Synonym(s):
• Cynopterus blanfordi
Common Name(s):
• English:
Blandford's Fruit Bat, Blanford's Fruit Bat
Assessment Information
Red List Category & Criteria:
Least Concern ver 3.1
Year Published:
2008
Date Assessed:
June 30, 2008
Justification:
Listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, presumed large population, and because it is
unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category.
Previously Published Red List Assessments
1996 – Lower Risk/least concern (LR/lc)
Geographic Range
Range Description:
This species ranges from northern South Asia, into southern China and northern parts of Southeast Asia.
In South Asia, this species is presently known from Bhutan (Ganghlakha), India (Arunachal Pradesh,
Mizoram, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal) and Nepal (Eastern Nepal) (Molur et al. 2002). In China it is
present in southern Xixang and eastern Yunnan. In Southeast Asia, there are records from Myanmar,
northern Thailand and Viet Nam. It has been recorded from 308 to 2,710 m asl.
Country Occurrence:
Native: Bhutan; China; India; Myanmar; Nepal; Thailand; Viet Nam
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Sphaerias blanfordi – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T20521A9210732.en
1
Distribution Map
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Sphaerias blanfordi – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T20521A9210732.en
2
Population
In South Asia, although it is widespread, it is not a common species (Molur et al. 2002). In China, the
species is little known, but is believed to be most common in lower montane forests. It is uncommonly
encountered in Southeast Asia.
Current Population Trend: Unknown
Habitat and Ecology (see Appendix for additional information)
Little has been recorded about the habitat or ecology of this species other that it is known to inhabit
bamboo forests (Molur et al. 2002).
Systems: Terrestrial
Threats (see Appendix for additional information)
In South Asia, this species is threatened by habitat loss largely through commercial harvest of bamboo
(Molur et al. 2002). There appear to be no major threats to the species in Southeast Asia. In China, the
threats to this species are unclear although it may be threatened by ongoing habitat degradation.
Conservation Actions (see Appendix for additional information)
In South Asia, it is considered to be vermin under Schedule V of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act. It
has been recorded from protected areas in India like Namdapha National Park in Assam, Phambong Lho
Wildlife Sanctuary in Sikkim. In Southeast Asia it has been recorded from a number of protected areas.
In South Asia, field surveys, population monitoring, habitat management and public awareness
initiatives are immediate recommendations (Molur et al. 2002).]
Credits
Assessor(s):
Bates, P., Bumrungsri, S., Csorba, G. & Francis, C.
Reviewer(s):
Hutson, A.M., Racey, P.A. (Chiroptera Red List Authority) & Cox, N. (Global
Mammal Assessment Team)
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Sphaerias blanfordi – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T20521A9210732.en
3
Bibliography
Lunde, D. P., Musser, G. G. and Son, N. T. 2003. A survey of small mammals from Mt. Tay Con Linh II,
Vietnam , with the description of a new species of Chodsigoa (Insectivora: Soricidae). Mammal Study
28: 31-46.
Mickleburgh, S. P., Hutson, A. M. and Racey, P. A. 1992. Old World Fruit-Bats - An Action Plan for their
Conservation. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.
Molur, S., Marimuthu, G., Srinivasulu, C., Mistry, S. Hutson, A. M., Bates, P. J. J., Walker, S., Padmapriya,
K. and Binupriya, A. R. 2002. Status of South Asian Chiroptera: Conservation Assessment and
Management Plan (C.A.M.P.) Workshop Report. Zoo Outreach Organization/CBSG-South Asia,
Coimbatore, India.
Simmons, N. B. 2005. Order Chiroptera. In: D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder (eds), Mammal Species of the
World, pp. 312-529. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Srinivasulu, C., Srinivasulu, B. and Sinha, Y. P. In press. Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) of South Asia:
Biogeography, diversity, taxonomy and distribution. Journal of Threatened Taxa.
Citation
Bates, P., Bumrungsri, S., Csorba, G. & Francis, C. 2008. Sphaerias blanfordi. The IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species 2008: e.T20521A9210732.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T20521A9210732.en
Disclaimer
To make use of this information, please check the Terms of Use.
External Resources
For Images and External Links to Additional Information, please see the Red List website.
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Sphaerias blanfordi – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T20521A9210732.en
4
Appendix
Habitats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Habitat
Season
Suitability
Major
Importance?
1. Forest -> 1.6. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland
-
Suitable
-
1. Forest -> 1.9. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane
-
Suitable
-
Threats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Threat
Timing
Scope
Severity
Impact Score
5. Biological resource use -> 5.3. Logging & wood
harvesting -> 5.3.5. Motivation
Unknown/Unrecorded
Ongoing
-
-
-
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
Conservation Actions in Place
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Conservation Actions in Place
In-Place Land/Water Protection and Management
Conservation sites identified: Yes, over entire range
Conservation Actions Needed
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Conservation Actions Needed
2. Land/water management -> 2.1. Site/area management
4. Education & awareness -> 4.3. Awareness & communications
Research Needed
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Research Needed
1. Research -> 1.2. Population size, distribution & trends
1. Research -> 1.3. Life history & ecology
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Sphaerias blanfordi – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T20521A9210732.en
5
Research Needed
1. Research -> 1.5. Threats
3. Monitoring -> 3.1. Population trends
Additional Data Fields
Distribution
Estimated area of occupancy (AOO) (km²): >2,000
Estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) (km²): >20,000
Lower elevation limit (m): 308
Upper elevation limit (m): 2710
Population
Population severely fragmented: No
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Sphaerias blanfordi – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T20521A9210732.en
6
The IUCN Red List Partnership
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is produced and managed by the IUCN Global Species
Programme, the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and The IUCN Red List Partnership. The IUCN
Red List Partners are: BirdLife International; Botanic Gardens Conservation International; Conservation
International; Microsoft; NatureServe; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Sapienza University of Rome; Texas
A&M University; Wildscreen; and Zoological Society of London.
THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™