Food Preferences (Three Fruit Types) of Sri Lankan Short-nosed Fruit Bat Cynopterus sphinx (Chiroptera) in a Semi-natural Condition

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.