Biogeography of Fruit Bats in Southeast Asia
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THE SARAWAK MUSEUM JOURNAL |
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Title :
Biogeography of Fruit Bats in Southeast Asia |
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Author :
Les S. Hall, Gordon G. Grigg, Craig Moritz, Besar Ketol, Isa Sait, Wahab Marni and M.T. Abdullah |
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Abstract:
A study on the biogeography and diversity of fruit bats (Megachiroptera) was carried out in 32 selected areas in Southeast Asia from April 1994 to May 1997. There are a number of factors that are associated with the patterns of distribution, species diversity and abundance of fruit bat species. These factors include ecological and geographical barriers and possible past Pleistocene or vicariant events. The distribution of fruit bats in SE Asia is consistent with Huxley’s Line and Pleistocene land-bridge theory. Fourteen species of the known 21 megachiropteranswere mist-netted in Borneo, Peninsular Malaysia and Thailand. Apparently, the species diversity and composition of the fruit bat community was related to the available ecological habitats and structural diversity of the habitat. Higher species diversity was observed in the primary forest (closed habitat), probably due to high structural diversity of the forest. In the secondary habitat (open area) species diversity was lower and dominated by few species. C. brachyotis was dominant, widespread, occupying all habitats sampled, and outnumbered all other species mist-netted; and it occurred in high abundance in open habitat but was lowest in the closed habitat. Macroglossines were always associated with flowering Musa species found in the ecotones between primary forest and open habitats. D. spandiceus and E. major were relatively rare species that occurred in restricted habitats with low abundance and probable have specialised life requirements and niches. Contrary to Payne et al. (1985), there was no recent observation of C. sphinx in Borneo during this study.
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| DOI: https://doi.org/10.61507/smj22-2004-UUKS-09 |
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How to cite:
Les S. Hall. (2004). Biogeography of Fruit Bats in Southeast Asia1. The Sarawak Museum Journal, LX (81): 191-284 |
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References
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