Feeding ecology, habitat use and reproduction of Rousettus madagascariensis Grandidier, 1928 (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) in eastern Madagascar

被引:21
作者
Andrianaivoarivelo, Radosoa A. [1 ,2 ]
Ramilijaona, Olga R. [1 ]
Racey, Paul A. [3 ]
Razafindrakoto, Noromampiandra [2 ]
Jenkins, Richard K. B. [2 ,3 ]
机构
[1] Univ Antananarivo, Dept Biol Anim, Fac Sci, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
[2] Madagasikara Voakajy, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
[3] Univ Aberdeen, Sch Biol Sci, Aberdeen AB24 2TZ, Scotland
关键词
diet; Madagascar; radio tracking; reproduction; Rousettus; PTEROPUS-RUFUS; FRUIT BAT; SEED-GERMINATION; LITTORAL FOREST; CONSERVATION; INGESTION; OBLIVIOSUS; DISPERSAL; ISLANDS; DIET;
D O I
10.1515/MAMM.2010.071
中图分类号
Q95 [动物学];
学科分类号
071002 ;
摘要
We studied the diet, habitat use and biology of Rousettus madagascariensis, a relatively small (similar to 55-77 g) fruit bat endemic to Madagascar, between July 2004 and May 2005. Faecal analysis revealed few seeds in the diet, suggesting that the bats either feed extensively on nectar, flowers and leaves or on fruits with seeds too large to ingest. However, bats were captured near fruiting Ficus sp. inside relatively intact forest and Ficus sp. seeds were found in the faeces during March and April. Defecated Ficus rubra seeds germinated significantly faster than seeds from ripe fruits under controlled conditions, but germination rates were similar. Radio tracking and observations of light-tagged individuals revealed that R. madagascariensis travelled a straight line distance of at least 8 km between the roost and feeding locations, with round trip foraging routes of up to 27 km. Most juveniles were trapped between March and July and we infer that weaning of young started before 8 weeks of age. The features used to distinguish juveniles from adults were no longer evident in December and it appears therefore that R. madagascariensis reaches somatic maturity within a single year. Pregnancy, lactation and weaning in this species coincide with the austral summer when food availability is higher.
引用
收藏
页码:69 / 78
页数:10
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