OBSERVATIONS ON THE FOOD AND FEEDING-BEHAVIOR OF CYNOPTERUS SPHINX VAHL (CHIROPTERA, PTEROPODIDAE) AT PUNE, INDIA

Authors
Citation
Hr. Bhat, OBSERVATIONS ON THE FOOD AND FEEDING-BEHAVIOR OF CYNOPTERUS SPHINX VAHL (CHIROPTERA, PTEROPODIDAE) AT PUNE, INDIA, Mammalia, 58(3), 1994, pp. 363-370
Citations number
28
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Zoology
Journal title
ISSN journal
0025-1461
Volume
58
Issue
3
Year of publication
1994
Pages
363 - 370
Database
ISI
SICI code
0025-1461(1994)58:3<363:OOTFAF>2.0.ZU;2-V
Abstract
Cynopterus sphinx is an ubiquitous frugivorous bat widely distributed in India and South-east Asia. The species roosts individually or in gr oups of two to several individuals in the overhanging, cryptic and pro tective spaces on trees and under man-made structures such as roofs an d ceilings. The species forages upon fruits, flowers and leaves of a n umber of wild and a few orchard species of trees in varying proportion s, The seasonal variation in its diet is related to both food preferen ce acid availability which are determined by annual cycles of flowerin g and fruiting in the study area. C. sphinx generally plucks the fruit s and carries them away from the original tree to feeding perches wher e it chews the soft parts, swallows the juice and drops seeds and chew ed fibres, thus dispersing seeds. Damage caused to orchard fruits by t his species is incidental and often marginal, particularly where there are large numbers of wild food species available, In addition C. sphi nx plays some role in the pollination of certain plant species.