The diet of Flying-foxes in the Sydney and Gosford areas of New South Wales, based on sighting reports 1986-1990

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

doi:10.7882/az.1991.006

Cited by 24 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…The conclusions of the present study support the findings of previous studies (McWilliam 1986;Eby 1991;Parry-Jones and Augee 1991a,1991b where quantitative data on the availability of food resources was not collected. Whereas other studies have analysed diet in relation to habitat usage (Parry-Jones and Augee 1991a; Banack 1998;Parsons et al 2006), this study was the first attempt in Australia to physically quantify the availability of food resources to flying foxes.…”

Section: Feeding Preferencessupporting

confidence: 91%

“…Ficus species was the most common fruit found in the droppings of this study; however, other fruits were also eaten and a drop in Ficus species occurrence in the Insects have also been found to be used as a protein source by flying foxes (Courts 1998). P. poliocephalus has been known to consume insects in the wild (Parry-Jones and Augee 1991bAugee , 1992Parry-Jones 1993). The presence of the taenidida spirals in the droppings along with the exoskeleton in the spatout pellet shows that P. poliocephalus will eat large beetles.…”

Section: Feeding Preferencesmentioning

confidence: 77%

“…Consequently, their feeding response to habitat modification is unknown. Previous studies of Australian flying foxes have alluded to the availability of food resources (McWilliam 1986;Parry-Jones and Augee 1991a, 1991b, but availability has not been quantitatively measured. Parry-Jones and Augee (1991a) found that there were restricted numbers of diet items available at one time and when preferred species diminished in availability or failed to provide food, the flying foxes would eat less desirable species or move to areas with better food supply.…”

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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Section: Feeding Preferencessupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Feeding Preferencesmentioning

confidence: 77%

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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“…Figs provide a year‐round food source for the Gordon flying‐foxes (Fig. 7), unlike the more restricted supply that occurs at less urbanized sites when fewer species and individuals are involved (Parry‐Jones & Augee 1991b).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Parry-Jones

Augee

2001

Austral Ecology

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Previous authors have reported that Pteropus poliocephalus colony sites are occupied in response to blossom availability. However, in the present study it is reported that at the Gordon site in suburban Sydney, colony numbers were negatively correlated with the occurrence of pollen in the droppings. In addition, in contrast to reported occupational patterns at other colony sites, where flying-foxes are not present at the site during winter and early spring, the Gordon site was occupied by substantial numbers of flying-foxes throughout the entire period of 62 months from 1985 to 1990. As a result of the introduction of plants native to other parts of Australia and exotics from other continents, there is a variety of foods available throughout the year in the Sydney region, in comparison with less urbanized areas. This food supply permits the occupation of the Gordon colony site during winter and spring and reduces the migratory behaviour of flying-foxes throughout the year. It is concluded that in the absence of a restrictive food supply, the occupational pattern of the Gordon colony of P. poliocephalus is the result of the reproductive requirements of the species modified by the vagaries of blossom production in the native forests outside the foraging range of the colony.

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“…The large-scale movements of P. poliocephalus appear to be driven by the irregular supply of their major food sources (Eby, 1991b). Pteropus poliocephalus has a diverse diet that includes nectar, pollen and fruit from a wide range of both native and introduced species (Menkhorst & Dixon, 1985;Parry-Jones & Augee, 1991;Eby, 1998).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The establishment and dynamics of a recently established urban camp of flying foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus) outside their geographic range

Ree

McDonnell

Temby³

et al. 2005

Journal of Zoology

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Grey-headed flying foxes Pteropus poliocephalus (Megachiroptera: Pteropodidae), listed nationally in Australia as vulnerable, have been recorded infrequently in low numbers in Melbourne from the first record of the species in 1884 till the early 1980s. The number of individuals and duration of their visit to Melbourne increased dramatically in the early 1980s, with the first year-round presence occurring in 1986 within the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne. Anecdotal information suggests that the Melbourne colony has been continuously present since 1986; however, counts of roosting animals were sporadic between 1987 and 1993. Regular monthly counts that began in December 1993 confirm the continuous presence of the species in Melbourne from that date onwards. The growth of the size of the colony from 1994 onwards was exponential, with a peak in March 2003 (when counting ceased) at between 20 000 (static count) and 30 000 (flyout count) individuals. The number of P. poliocephalus within the colony fluctuated across the year, with a peak in summer/autumn (December-May) and a trough in winter/spring (July-October). The exact timing of the influx of animals varied slightly from year to year. The establishment of the permanent camp in urban Melbourne is a range expansion for the species.

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The diet of Flying-foxes in the Sydney and Gosford areas of New South Wales, based on sighting reports 1986-1990

Cited by 24 publications

References 2 publications

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

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

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

The establishment and dynamics of a recently established urban camp of flying foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus) outside their geographic range

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