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

Abstract

Food habits, nutrient preferences, and roost variations of Indian flying foxPteropus giganteuswere investigated for a periodof 1 year in two public parks in Lahore, Pakistan. Bolus and guano samples ofP. giganteuswere collected on a monthly basis, and seedsof 32 plant species belonging to 23 genera and 15 families were identified from the ejecta samples. Of these 32 food species, 8 werenative and 24 were exotic; 13 were commercially important, while 19 species had no mercantile value. Proximate analysis of the fooditems revealed that fruits with comparatively higher moisture content were utilized during summer; fruits having relatively highercarbohydrates, fibers, protein, fats, phosphorous, iron, and sodium were used during winter; diets having relatively greater calciumand vitamin C contents were used during autumn; and phosphorous-rich diets were used during spring. Permanent roosting trees (n =50) representing 17 families, 19 genera, and 21 species were monitored to record the abundance and roost fidelity ofP. giganteus . Themaximum number of bats (n = 425) was recorded forDalbergia sissooduring summer,Kigelia pinnata(n = 270) during spring,Celtisaustralis(n = 374) during autumn, andCedrela toona(n = 330) during winter.