Nectar feeding behavior in the short-nosed fruit bat Cynopterus sphinx (Pteropodidae)

Abstract

Nectar feeding behavior of the short-nosed bat, Cynopterus sphinx, was observed under natural conditions in South India. Nectar production of 'steady-state' flowers of Musa' paradisiaca and 'big-bang' flowers of Bassia latifolia was quantified. Cynopterus sphinx typically foraged alone on flowers of M.'paradisiaca and as groups on B. latifolia, largely in response to the availability of these floral resources. Peak visits on flowers of M.'paradisiaca by C. sphinx occurred at 2000 h and on B. latifolia at 2100 h. Peak visits coincided with the maximum nectar production and sugar concentration of these floral resources. In addition to feeding on nectar early in the evening, C. sphinx acquired additional energy by feeding on carbohydrate-rich fruit. In return for these food resources, C. sphinx provides important pollination and seed-dispersal services to the plants that they visit nightly, and thus can profoundly influence the co-evolution of plants and bats.