Proximate analysis of Indian flying fox’s (Pteropus giganteus) natural food, with a note on its roost variations in urban areas of Lahore, Pakistan

Authors : ARSHAD JAVID, TAYIBA GULRAIZ, MUHAMMAD ASHRAF, MUHAMMAD NADEEM, SYED MAKHDOOM HUSSAIN, MUHAMMAD ALTAF, IRFAN BABU

Pages : 714-721

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Publication Date : 0000-00-00

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Food habits, nutrient preferences, and roost variations of Indian flying fox Pteropus giganteus were investigated for a period of 1 year in two public parks in Lahore, Pakistan. Bolus and guano samples of P. giganteus were collected on a monthly basis, and seeds of 32 plant species belonging to 23 genera and 15 families were identified from the ejecta samples. Of these 32 food species, 8 were native and 24 were exotic; 13 were commercially important, while 19 species had no mercantile value. Proximate analysis of the food items revealed that fruits with comparatively higher moisture content were utilized during summer; fruits having relatively higher carbohydrates, fibers, protein, fats, phosphorous, iron, and sodium were used during winter; diets having relatively greater calcium and vitamin C contents were used during autumn; and phosphorous-rich diets were used during spring. Permanent roosting trees insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(n = 50); representing 17 families, 19 genera, and 21 species were monitored to record the abundance and roost fidelity of P. giganteus. The maximum number of bats insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(n = 425); was recorded for Dalbergia sissoo during summer, Kigelia pinnata insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(n = 270); during spring, Celtis australis insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(n = 374); during autumn, and Cedrela toona insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(n = 330); during winter.
Keywords : Roost fidelity, seasonal food, proximate analysis, nutrient preference, ejecta, Pteropus giganteus