Insectivory in Fijian flying foxes (Pteropodidae)
Annette T. Scanlon A , Sophie Petit A C and Leonel da S. Sternberg B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Sustainable Environments Research Group, School of Natural and Built Environments, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5095, Australia.
B Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33124, USA.
C Corresponding author. Email: sophie.petit@unisa.edu.au
Australian Journal of Zoology 61(4) 342-349 https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO13047
Submitted: 14 June 2013 Accepted: 13 September 2013 Published: 8 October 2013
Abstract
We used scat and isotope analyses to assess insectivory in Fijian flying foxes (Pteropodidae), seeking insights into niche partitioning of co-occurring bat species with high plant diet overlap. Moth scales were most common in scats of Notopteris macdonaldi (87%; P. tonganus: 62%; Pteropus samoensis: 36%) and may indicate shared resources. The small and highly manoeuvrable N. macdonaldi exploited nectar-rich flowers also favoured by moths (e.g. Barringtonia spp.). Other invertebrate remains were most frequent in scats of P. tonganus (69%). On the basis of scat results and ecological observations, P. tonganus uses a combination of insectivory and a highly varied plant diet to obtain sufficient nutrients. Scats of P. samoensis contained few invertebrate remains, but abundant protein-rich plant species (including Freycinetia spp.), and juveniles seemed to consume moths frequently. Clustered δ15N and δ13C for N. macdonaldi and P. samoensis indicated a narrower dietary breadth than that of P. tonganus. P. tonganus juveniles appeared at a significantly higher trophic level than did adults, probably the result of milk consumption and/or higher rates of protein synthesis. The methods used detected little evidence that bats partitioned resources vertically. This study generates hypotheses for the further examination of flying-fox diets.
Additional keywords: insect diet, nitrogen fractionation, Pacific Islands, pollen diet.
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