Dietary variation in spectacled flying foxes (Pteropus conspicillatus) of the Australian Wet Tropics

Abstract

The diet of Pteropus conspicillatus, a large flying fox, was examined by collecting faeces in traps beneath daytime roost trees in four geographically distinct camps in the Wet Tropics bioregion of North-eastern Queensland, Australia. Faecal analyses revealed that P. conspicillatus utilise a broad variety of plant resources from a variety of habitats. Seed and pulp from figs (Ficus spp., Moraceae) and pollen from the family Myrtaceae were most frequently represented in the faeces from a range of both wet sclerophyll and rainforest habitats. The dietary composition of P. conspicillatus at individual camps could not be predicted by the habitats located within a typical foraging distance of each camp (20 km), and although consistent dietary changes were seen across all camps over time, each camp had a unique dietary signature indicative of feeding on a distinct subset of available vegetation. The unique diet of each camp and the variety of dietary items consumed suggest that camps may need to be managed on an individual camp-specific basis, and that P. conspicillatus are utilising a broader range of resources than would be expected if the species was a strict ‘rainforest-fruit specialist’.

Landscape‐scale redistribution of a highly mobile threatened species, Pteropus conspicillatus (Chiroptera, Pteropodidae), in response to Tropical Cyclone Larry

“…Nelson 1965;Eby 1991), P. alecto and P. scapulatus (e.g. Tidemann et al 1999;Vardon et al 2001), P. conspicillatus have a dietary breadth that includes fruit and floral resources, and occasionally leaves, from a broad range of rainforest and open woodland trees (Parsons et al 2006). Although often regarded as rainforest specialists (e.g.…”

Assessing the accuracy of small satellite transmitters on free‐living flying‐foxes

“…The region is also highly fragmented with significant clearing for urbanization and agriculture in certain areas. Dietary studies have shown that the species is feeding in all the habitats in this range (Parsons et al 2006;Kreitals et al submitted).…”

“…Pteropus conspicillatus is a large (600-1070 g) pteropodid that feeds on a broad range of plant tissues, but predominantly on fruits and nectar (Parsons et al 2006). Pteropus conspicillatus is highly mobile with individuals commuting up to 50 km to foraging locations and moving on a regular basis between roosts that may be hundreds of km apart (Westcott et al 2001;CSIRO, unpubl.…”

Tick Paralysis in Spectacled Flying-Foxes (Pteropus conspicillatus) in North Queensland, Australia: Impact of a Ground-Dwelling Ectoparasite Finding an Arboreal Host

“…They are effective pollinators and seed dispersers for sclerophyll and rainforest trees and provide unique seed dispersal services to a broad variety of plants [20], [21], [22] and micro-organisms [23]. The SFF was included in the Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 list of vulnerable species in May 2002 [24].…”

“…Other factors could also affect SFF food sources. SFF have started foraging in low-growing invasive tobacco bush ( Solanum mauritianum ) [23], [36]. Wild tobacco grows up to four metres tall and carries round yellow berries.…”