Food Selection by Grey-headed Flying Foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus) Occupying a Summer Colony Site near Gosford, New South Wales

Abstract

A bstraclA colony site occupied by grey-headed flying-foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus) from October to May on the central coast of N.S.W. was monitored over a 48 month period (1986)(1987)(1988)(1989)(1990). Faecal and spat-out material was collected for microscopic determination of contents. Comparison of food items in the droppings with the array of possible food sources present in the vicinity of the colony at the same time showed a marked preference for certain foods, in particular blossoms of the family Myrtaceae and of the genus Banksia. Cultivated orchard fruits were not a preferred food and were only taken at times when preferred food items were scarce.1035-3712/91/0100111$05.00 K. Parry-Jones and M. L. Augee Food Selection by Flying-foxes

Altered Ecologies: Fire, climate and human influence on terrestrial landscapes: Terra Australis 32

“…It is among the best known of the Australian flying foxes. Eby (1991), Parry-Jones and Augee (1991), Tidemann and Nelson (2004), McDonald-Madden et al (2005), Parris and Hazell (2005), and Williams et al (2006) documented aspects of P. poliocephalus ecology. Eby (1991) and Parry-Jones and Augee (2001) focused on movements between colony sites and feeding areas, while Tidemann and Nelson (2004) demonstrated long-distance movements between colonies.…”

Review of gene movement by bats and birds and its potential significance for eucalypt plantation forestry

“…data). In addition to nectar, both the greyheaded and black flying-fox feed regularly on native and cultivated fruit, although they display a preference for nectar when it is available (Ratcliffe 1931;McWilliam 1986;Parry-Jones and Augee 1991;Eby 1991Eby b, 1995Eby , 1996. The common (Syconycteris australis) and northern (Macroglossus minimus) blossom bats utilise the floral resources of several eucalypt species, but they are considered more important pollinators of tree species belonging to the genera Callistemon, Melaleuca and Syzygium (Law and Spencer 1995;McKean et al 1995).…”

“…Flying-foxes occur predominantly in northern and eastern subtropical and temperate coastal areas but are generally not present in Tasmania and south-western Australia (Hall 1986;Carnahan 1990). Due to their feeding on nectar and pollen, flying-foxes have been implicated in the pollination of many Eucalyptus and Corymbia species (Ratcliffe 1931;McCoy 1990;Parry-Jones and Augee 1991;Eby 1995Eby , 1996. They have also been observed feeding on other native Myrtaceaeous species, such as Melaleuca, Lophostemon and Angophora (Ratcliffe 1931;Augee 1991, 1992;Boland et al 1994;Eby 1995).…”

“…data). The pollen is subsequently transferred to other flowers as the flyingfox moves between trees (McCoy 1990;Parry-Jones and Augee 1991;Eby 1995Eby , 1996. At least 80% of pollen grains removed from P. alecto and P. scapulatus were found to be viable and capable of successfully fertilising receptive stigmas.…”

Last Glacial Maximum habitat change and its effects on the grey-headed flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus Temminck 1825)

“…It is among the best known of the Australian flying foxes. , Parry-Jones and Augee (1991, 1992, 2001), Tidemann and Nelson (2004), McDonald-Madden et al (2005), Parris and Hazell (2005), and Williams et al (2006) documented aspects of P. poliocephalus ecology. and Parry-Jones and Augee (2001) focused on movements between colony sites and feeding areas, while Tidemann and Nelson (2004) demonstrated long-distance movements between colonies.…”