Bulmer's Fruit Bat vs

Aproteles bulmerae compared with Chrysomyxa abietis

Key Differences

• Bulmer's Fruit Bat is Critically Endangered while is Not Evaluated.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Bulmer's Fruit Bat
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Pucciniomycetes (Pucciniomycetes)
Order	Chiroptera (Bats)	Pucciniales (Pucciniales)
Family	Pteropodidae (Fruit Bats)	Coleosporiaceae
Genus	Aproteles	Chrysomyxa
Species	Aproteles bulmerae	Chrysomyxa abietis

Conservation Status

Bulmer's Fruit Bat

CR — Critically Endangered

NE — Not Evaluated

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Bulmer's Fruit Bat
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Bulmer's Fruit Bat

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Habitat

Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Found across Europe (7 countries).

Bulmer's Fruit Bat

The Bulmer's Fruit Bat (Aproteles bulmerae) is a species in the genus Aproteles. It is currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Chrysomyxa abietis is a macrocyclic rust fungus in the family Coleosporiaceae (Basidiomycota) that causes spruce needle rust disease on Norway spruce (Picea abies) and related conifers across Europe. The fungus completes its life cycle entirely on conifers, infecting current-year needles in spring through airborne urediniospores and aeciospores, causing yellowing, deformation, and premature needle drop. Infected spruce stands show characteristic orange-yellow stripe discoloration on young needles, affecting photosynthesis and tree vigor. The rust is widespread in central and northern Europe, including Belgium, Denmark, Hungary, Norway, Slovenia, and the broader boreal forest zone, wherever susceptible Picea hosts occur. Unlike many rust fungi, C. abietis does not require an alternate host (heteroecious cycle); it is autoecious, cycling between different spore stages on the same host genus. Heavy infections can weaken trees and increase their susceptibility to other stressors including bark beetles and drought. The fungus is not evaluated for conservation status by the IUCN, as it is classified as Not Evaluated. While typically a natural component of coniferous forest ecosystems, outbreaks may intensify under warmer, wetter springs that favor spore dispersal and infection.