v5i1.91

Submitted date: 18 October 2012
Accepted date: 9 April 2013
Published date: 15 June 2013
Pp. 60–66.

DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF THREE POPULATIONS OF INDIAN FLYING FOX (Pteropus giganteus) FROM PURULIA DISTRICT OF WEST BENGAL, INDIA

Somenath Dey, Utpal Singha Roy* & Sanjib Chattopadhyay
*Corresponding author. E-mail: srutpal@gmail.com

Abstract
The present study was carried out to monitor three roost sites of Indian flying fox (Pteropus giganteus) populations during the period November 2010 to October 2011 near Purulia, West Bengal, India. At all three sites, bats were found to occupy different tree species (Eucalyptus sp., Dalbergia latifolia, Tamarindus indica and Terminalia arjuna) outside villages for day roost sites in close proximity to water bodies. Behavioural observations were made based on all occurrence method where all behaviours observed for duration of 30 minutes was noted during each census for the entire study period. Favourable roosting conditions were found to support higher bat abundance. Moreover, bat abundance and ambient temperature were found to be negatively correlated, and mass die–offs and population decline were recorded in the hotter months of the year (April–July). Study of bat guano revealed aspects of their feeding habits and their pivotal role as seed dispersers. Information from local villagers affirmed that the bat populations occurring at the roost sites are more than a century old and are regarded as sacred. Moreover, no direct conflicts were recorded between the bats and villagers during the present study. According to the villagers bat populations are declining due to road expansion, cutting of trees and hunting by outsider nomads; these aspects need serious attention from the authorities concerned.

Key words : Chiroptera, habitat selection, vermin, behaviour, threats, ecology, conservation

Section Editor: Judith Eger