Ecological Aspects Of Fruit Bats (Megachiroptera) In Penang Island, Malaysia
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Date
2016-02
Authors
Shafie, Nur Juliani
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
This study focuses on the distribution, ecology, feeding behaviour and knowledge and awareness of local community on conservation related issues of fruit bats in Penang Island. Data collection was conducted from 2012 until 2014. The first objective was to determine the effect of urbanisation on the species richness, species abundance and body size of fruit bats. A total of 521 individuals consisting of eight species were captured. There was a significant difference of abundance across the urban-rural gradient (one-way ANOVA, F (2, 18) = 5.4947, p ˂ 0.0162). The abundance of fruit bats was highest in suburban and lowest in urban sites. Urbanisation has a positive effect on body size of Cynopterus sphinx. However, the correlation was weak (r² = 0.333, n =18, p ˂ 0.05). Urban parks appeared to be important for conserving roosting sites and foraging habitat for fruit bats in urban areas. The second objective was to determine the habitat suitability of fruit bats using the Geographical Information System. Proximity of the sampling points to forest, road, river, agriculture, development, industrial, recreational and settlement areas were analysed. The highest weight value was the forest area with 0.36 and the two lowest score were road and industrial area with 0.03 respectively. This result shows that the forest factor was the main important factor for habitat suitability of fruit bats. In the third objective, the feeding behaviour of C. brachyotis and C. sphinx in captive condition were compared by offering a selection of ripe bananas, blended bananas and artificial bananas. The responses of C. sphinx and C. brachyotis towards blended fruit and ripe banana fruit indicate that both these species use odour as the main cue to locate food source. The final objective revealed the knowledge and level of awareness regarding the conservation efforts of bat among locals based on age group, gender, level of education, years at present residence and their monthly income. The age groups (F (2, 150) = 9.272, p = 0.0002), level of education (F (3, 150) = 5.727, p = 0.0010) and monthly income (F (3,150) = 6.087, p = 0.0006) were significantly different among the respondents. Results on respondents’ knowledge of bats showed that the majority of the respondents had a low level of knowledge on the importance of bats to our ecosystem. Recommendations developed from this study include improving legal protection, educating the public and also developing long-term monitoring programs.
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Keywords
Fruit bats