Role of Indian flying fox Pteropus giganteus Brünnich, 1782 (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) as a seed disperser in urban areas of Lahore, Pakistan

Authors : TAYIBA GULRAIZ, ARSHAD JAVID, MUHAMMAD MAHMOODULHASSAN, Syed HUSSAIN, Hamda AZMAT, Sharoon DAUD

Pages : 417-422

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Publication Date : 0000-00-00

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This 1-year study, extending from January to December 2011, was conducted to investigate the role of the Indian flying fox insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Pteropus giganteus); as a seed disperser in Lahore, Pakistan. Ejecta of the species from two roosting sites, i.e. Jinnah garden and Lalazar garden, was collected and the plant seeds were extracted from bat boluses and guano. Various seeds of edible trees and forest plantation species extracted from ejecta of P. Giganteus included areca palm insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Areca catechu);, coromandel ebony insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Diospyros melanoxylon);, Indian gaabh insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(D. Peregrina);, lemon-scented gum insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Eucalyptus citriodora);, Chinese fan palm insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Livistona chinensis);, sapodilla insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Manilkara zapota);, mahwa insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Madhuca longifolia);, Indian lilac insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Melia azedarach);, cajeput tree insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Melaleuca leucadendra);, rambutan insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Nephelium lappaceum);, guava insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Psidium guajava);, and janbolanum plum insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Syzygium jambolanum);. Measurements of the extracted seeds` length insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(mm);, diameter insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(mm);, and weight insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(g); were taken and the seeds of jack fruit insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Artocarpus heterophyllus); were found the longest insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(40 mm); with the maximum average diameter insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(50 mm); while the rambutan insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(N. Lappaceum); seeds were the heaviest insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(3.4 g);. It can be concluded from the present study that P. Giganteus is a seed disperser and transporter of heavier seeds as heavier seeds are mammal-dependent for their dispersal.
Keywords : Heavy seeds, jack fruit, length of the seed, Lahore, Pteropus giganteus