Abstract:
In this study the food preference of Sri Lankan short nosed fruit bat
Cynopterus sphinx was tested in a seminatural condition as a first step of a
long term study of diet and foraging of Sri Lankan fruit bats. Investigations
were carried out in an experimental room (4x5x3.5m) using ten male bats
(4 adults and 6 sub adults). A single animal was used in each trial. Ten such
trials were carried out, each progressing over three consecuti ve days. To test
the feeding preference, known and comparable weights of three fruit types
[mango (Mangifera indica L: Acardiaceae, amba in Sinhala), guava
(Psidium gujava L: Myrtaceae, pera in Sinhala ) and Indian almond
tTerminalia catappa L: Combretaceae, Kottamba in Sinhala)] were simultaneously
used, where fruits and water were provided ad libitum. Fruits were
replaced every 24 hours. All the bats always comsumed the three types of
fruits provided. The highest preference (as indicated by the amount consumed
and the number of fruits attacked) was shown for guava followed by
almond and mangoes. Results also showed that Cynopterus has a fairly high
fruit consumption per day (12-48g). These observations indicate that
Cynopterus is a generalised feeder and may be functioning as a fruit pest.
