Abstract
This paper pertains to the study on roosting habits and habitats of the Indian Flying Fox Pteropus medius Temminck, 1825 in 12 villages of four northern districts—Vellore, Krishnagiri, Tiruvannamalai, and Viluppuram—of Tamil Nadu. Studies targeted roosting tree species, population status, diurnal-roosting behaviour, interactions with other animals, and probable threats to the species. A total of 22,365 individuals of the species were observed in 72 roosting colonies in 72 trees belonging to nine families, 11 genera, and 13 species. The tree species that harbored the greatest population of P. medius (n= 12,465) were those of Tamarindus indica L. (Fabaceae) (n= 39), followed by Ficus religiosa L. (Moraceae) (n= 3,960), Madhuca latifolia J.F. Macbr. (Sapotaceae) (n= 2,760), and Ficus benghalensis L. (Moraceae) (n= 1,620). One-Way ANOVA revealed that a significant relationship exists between colony size and tree diameter at breast height (dbh), and their canopy size (p <0.05). However, no significant difference occurred between the colony size and tree height. The time taken for emergence of individuals of the colony from the canopy for foraging varied between 20 and 40 min after 1750 h in the evening. The species mostly roosted on trees proximal to human settlements, electrical power lines, and water bodies. Individuals of P. medius used various tree species in different areas in different geographical regions and did not maintain any consistency in roosting tree species selection. A majority of individuals (88.7 %; n= 887) were found roosting using both legs and a minority of P. medius (11.3 %; n= 113) were clinging to tree branches using one. Individuals of P. medius flew to nearby water bodies to quench thirst and cool their bodies. Mating was observed during day roost in 146 pairs including male-female fellatio in seven pairs. Smoke from shrines in sacred groves, pruning of branches for various cultural reasons, populations of House Crow Corvus splendens (Vieillot, 1817) (Corvidae), Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus (Desfontaines, 1789) and Black Kite Milvus migrans (Boddaert, 1783) (both Accipitridae) were key disturbances to roosting populations of P. medius.
Highlights
The order Chiroptera consists of over 1,400 species of bats worldwide, of which 148 species occur in southern Asia (Simmons & Cirranello 2020; Srinivasulu et al 2021a)
In the present study conducted in Vellore, Krishnagiri, Tiruvannamalai, and Viluppuram districts in northern Tamil Nadu, P. medius populations used 13 tree species belonging to nine families and 11 genera for roosting
These findings indicate that P. medius use various tree species in different geographical regions and do not maintain any consistency in tree selection for roosting
Summary
The order Chiroptera consists of over 1,400 species of bats worldwide, of which 148 species occur in southern Asia (Simmons & Cirranello 2020; Srinivasulu et al 2021a). The Indian Flying Fox Pteropus medius Temminck, 1825 (earlier treated as P. giganteus) is one of the largest bats and is widely distributed in southern and south eastern Asia (Marimuthu 1996). This species is a gregarious, colonial mammal that roosts in large trees that possibly protect them from strong winds and offer an easy updrift access for flight. In Tamil Nadu, over 600 individuals in Nallur near Chennai (Smith 1998), 16,000 individuals in Srivaikundam (Sudhakaran et al 2010), and 431 individuals in Pudukottai district were enumerated They usually prefer to roost on tall trees in urban areas of Lahore, Pakistan (Gulraiz 2014). In Tamil Nadu, they preferred Terminalia arjuna trees in Srivaikundam (Sudhakaran et al 2010) whereas Vachellia leucophloea (= Acacia leucophloea) and Pongamia pinnata in Pudukottai district (Tangavelou et al 2013)
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