Factors affecting the occupation of a colony site in Sydney, New South Wales by the Grey-headed Flying-fox Pteropus poliocephalus (Pteropodidae)

Parry-Jones, Kerryn; Augee, M. L.

doi:10.1046/j.1442-9993.2001.01072.x

Cited by 28 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Most evidence suggests that variation in prevalence is explained by the relative abundances of spectacled (Pteropus conspicillatus) and black (Pteropus alecto) flying foxes [16][17][18][19]. However, P. alecto is of particular concern because this species is widely distributed in coastal North Eastern Australia, and often forages in urban and peri-urban areas [20,21]. P. alecto is also expanding its range southwards and permanently occupying urban habitats [20,22].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conditions affecting the timing and magnitude of Hendra virus shedding across pteropodid bat populations in Australia

et al. 2017

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SUMMARY Understanding infection dynamics in animal hosts is fundamental to managing spillover and emergence of zoonotic infections. Hendra virus is endemic in Australian pteropodid bat populations and can be lethal to horses and humans. However, we know little about the factors driving Hendra virus prevalence in resevoir bat populations, making spillover difficult to predict. We use Hendra virus prevalence data collected from 13 000 pooled bat urine samples across space and time to determine if pulses of prevalence are periodic and synchronized across sites. We also test whether site-specific precipitation and temperature affect the amplitude of the largest annual prevalence pulses. We found little evidence for a periodic signal in Hendra virus prevalence. Although the largest amplitude pulses tended to occur over winter, pulses could also occur in other seasons. We found that Hendra virus prevalence was weakly synchronized across sites over short distances, suggesting that prevalence is driven by local-scale effects. Finally, we found that drier conditions in previous seasons and the abundance of Pteropus alecto were positively correlated with the peak annual values of Hendra virus prevalence. Our results suggest that in addition to seasonal effects, bat density and local climatic conditions interact to drive Hendra virus infection dynamics.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conditions affecting the timing and magnitude of Hendra virus shedding across pteropodid bat populations in Australia

et al. 2017

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“…Our results mirror similar situations in Australia where flying foxes also roost amongst humans (Larsen et al 2002 ; Tait et al 2014 ; Kung et al 2015 ), where local residents express discomfort at the proximity of flying foxes to their homes and an unwillingness to share their living space with the bats (ABS 2016 ; Snowdon 2016 ), resulting in negative media coverage (e.g., Bennion 2016 ; De Lore 2016 ; Owen 2016 ; Snowdon 2016 ). These situations appear common when increased availability of food resources in human-dominated areas attract flying foxes (e.g., Parry-Jones and Augee 2001 ; Williams et al 2006 ; Welbergen and Eby 2016 ). This certainly seems to be the case in Tioman despite the proximity of largely intact primary rainforest containing a diverse range of wild food plants (Latiff et al .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coexistence and Conflict between the Island Flying fox (Pteropus hypomelanus) and Humans on Tioman Island, Peninsular Malaysia

Aziz¹,

Clements

Giam

et al. 2017

Hum Ecol

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As tropical landscapes become increasingly human-dominated, conflicts between people and wildlife threaten ecological processes. Old World fruit bats such as flying foxes are especially susceptible to extinction risk because there is low interest in their conservation, particularly when they are considered pests. In order to arrest fruit bat declines, there is an urgent need to understand human-bat conflict and its implications. On a tropical island in Peninsular Malaysia, we conducted a questionnaire survey to investigate coexistence between people and the island flying fox (Pteropus hypomelanus). Among 119 respondents, knowledge of ecosystem services provided by flying foxes was extremely low. Most respondents held negative attitudes towards the bats, and older male locals were more likely to support killing them. This was also true for older owners of fruit trees who derived income from selling fruit, and experienced flying fox raids. Our results can be used to design appropriate interventions to support conservation efforts, and has important implications for managing conflicts between humans and synanthropic wildlife.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10745-017-9905-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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“…To determine the food items consumed by P. poliocephalus, 40 faecal samples and 10 spat out pellets (50 droppings in total) were randomly collected each month from under the colony using the methods of Parry-Jones and Augee (2001). Droppings were examined using a stereomicroscope and a compound microscope.…”

Section: Dietmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There were no fresh spat-out samples collected at the end of March as the samples were collected the day after the final departure of the flying foxes and the colony was empty The samples were frozen after collection as they consist mainly of the very soft parts of fruit. Also, as traditional drying of the samples would render the components unidentifiable, samples were prepared and examined for food resources following the method developed by Parry-Jones and Augee (2001). Samples of fresh fruits and flowers were taken from trees in the field to attempt to identify the unknown items found in droppings.…”

Section: Dietmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They are also known to eat leaves, bark and insect parts (Parry-Jones and Augee 1991a). However, Ficus species are considered very important food sources that are often available all year round and over a wide area (Banack 1998;Eby 1998;Parry-Jones and Augee 2001;Shanahan et al 2001;Markus and Hall 2004). Figs are considered an easy resource to handle and consume for most animals and can be a relatively high source of protein and calcium (Shanahan et al 2001;Bleher et al 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fruit availability and utilisation by grey-headed flying foxes (Pteropodidae: Pteropus poliocephalus) in a human-modified environment on the south coast of New South Wales, Australia

2009

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Context. Extensive clearing and modification of habitat is likely to change many facets of the environment including climate and regional food resources. Such changes may result in changes in behaviour in highly mobile fauna, such as flying foxes. Aims.The availability of fruit resources was examined to determine whether grey-headed flying foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus) have feeding preferences related to habitat or dietary items, and whether human usage of the land around the colony site has affected the resources available. Methods. Fruit availability around a colony was monitored from December 2004 to March 2005. Night surveys and faecal analyses were undertaken to determine the distribution of feeding locations, the food species used and the food items consumed by P. poliocephalus. Key results.The amount of food available per hectare in each habitat was similar. However, we found differences in the composition of food trees and the distribution of food resources within each habitat. Ficus species were a major resource with flying foxes observed feeding in figs during every survey and figs identified in droppings over the whole period. Human-modified habitats were used throughout the study period with flying foxes observed in small patches of vegetation and in individual trees without any nearby vegetation. Conclusions. The need for maintaining vegetation, particularly Ficus species, in all areas where flying foxes are found, especially in human-modified habitats and rainforest remnants, is highlighted as this vegetation is of great importance to flying foxes. Other wildlife, such as birds and possums, may also benefit from the maintenance of this vegetation. Implications. Through management of urban resources there is the potential to prevent future conflict situations arising between humans and wildlife, such as can be seen when flying fox colonies are in close proximity to houses.

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Factors affecting the occupation of a colony site in Sydney, New South Wales by the Grey-headed Flying-fox Pteropus poliocephalus (Pteropodidae)

Cited by 28 publications

References 23 publications

Conditions affecting the timing and magnitude of Hendra virus shedding across pteropodid bat populations in Australia

Conditions affecting the timing and magnitude of Hendra virus shedding across pteropodid bat populations in Australia

Coexistence and Conflict between the Island Flying fox (Pteropus hypomelanus) and Humans on Tioman Island, Peninsular Malaysia

Fruit availability and utilisation by grey-headed flying foxes (Pteropodidae: Pteropus poliocephalus) in a human-modified environment on the south coast of New South Wales, Australia

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