DIVERSITY, HABITAT PREFERENCE AND FEEDING HABITS OF CHIROPTERANS IN WAYANAD WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Loading...
Date
2016-05-12
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kerala Veterinary and animal science university, Pookode
Abstract
Species richness, abundance, roosting habitat and diet composition of bats in
different forest types of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary were studied from December
2014 to September 2015. Sampling method included direct observations and mistnetting.
A total of ten bat species were reported from six families and eight genera
during the study period. Pteropus giganteus was the highest in abundance (538)
followed by Megaderma spasma (70), Rhinolophus rouxii (24), Cynopterus
sphinx(12) and Kerivoula picta (9). In Muthanga (dry deciduous forest),Cynopterus
sphinx, Kerivoula picta, Megaderma spasma and Taphozous species were recorded.
In Sulthan Bathery (dry deciduous forest), Pteropus giganteus and Megaderma
spasma were found. In Kuruchyad (semi-evergreen forest), only Megaderma spasma
was found from just one roost. In Tholpetty (moist-deciduous forest), A total of seven
roosts were observed and the roosts were occupied by Rhinolophus rouxii, Kerivoula
picta, Pippistrellus sp. and Hipposideros speoris. One road killed Myotis species
specimen was also found from this area. Mixed species roosting and seasonal
migration was also reported from Tholpetty. Bat species abundance was highest in
moist-deciduous forest. Diet composition analysis revealed that guava was the most
preferred fruit (37%) of Pteropus giganteus. The analyzed samples also indicated
Rhinolophus rouxii to be a generalized insectivorous bat with Lepidoptera forming a
major (32%) part of its diet. Diet analysis also revealed that Megaderma spasma fed
upon seven insect orders with Coleoptera forming 33% of its prey. This study,
although preliminary, provides baseline information of bats found in WWS
Description
Keywords
null