Roosting preference of the golden-crowned flying fox, acerodon jubatus and large flying fox, Pteropus vampyrus (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) in Mambukal, Negros Occidental, Philippines

摘要

Flying foxes, Acerodon jubatus and Pteropus vampyrus are ecologically important species for forest regeneration, plant pollination and seed dispersal. However, these species are declining worldwide due to hunting at roosts and extensive tree cutting for urbanization. Thus, there is a need to preserve the roosting and foraging landscape of these species since bats spend over half of their life in their roost environment. This study aimed to identify and characterize the roosting sites of Acerodon jubatus and Pteropus vampyrus in Mambukal Resort, Negros Occidental. Results showed that there are thirteen (13) roosting tree species preferred by Pteropus vampyrus namely; Pterocarpus indicus, Pterocymbium tinctorium, Zizyphus trinervis, Madhuca betis, Shorea negrosensis, Pometia pinnata, Palaquium luzoniense, Pterospermum obliquum, Swietenia macrophylla, Canarium asperum, Toona calantas, Koordersiodendron pinnatum and Petersianthus quadrialatus. Out of the thirteen species, Koordersiodendron pinnatum was the most preferred roosting site with 175 individuals out of 882. The roosting tree of Acerodon jubatus was Pterospermum obliquum. The preferred roosting trees of Acerodon jubatus and Pteropus vampyrus had an average elevation of 345.4545±18.4203m, mean height was 35.2175±8.444634m, average diameter at breast height (DBH) was 43.75927±11.35574cm, average basal area was 0.1985±0.151448m2 and the average canopy cover was 79% ± 57%. The measured Diameter at Breast Height of the roost trees in this study may indicate that majority of roosts trees had been occupied by Pteropus vampyrus and Acerodon jubatus for more than 10 years. This may support that flying foxes tend to have high roost fidelity. Thus, forest conservation strategies should be strengthened especially on these preferred roost tree species of Pteropus and Acerodon.