Seasonal influence on population dynamics of Pteropus giganteus (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) in Agricultural and Urban Landscapes

Present study was conducted to investigate roosting preferrence, population of Indian flying fox, Pteropus giganteus and its fluctuation with respect to seasonal changes at selected roosting sites in agricultural and urban landscapes for 2017-18 and 2018-19. In urban landscape, higher population of bats roosted on pinus (35.40%) followed by silver oak (19.63%), sterculia (13.73%), mango (13.21%) and eucalyptus (8.99). Interestingly, 5.10% increase in bat population was recorded in the preceeding year. In agricultural landscape, higher population of bats roosted on eucalyptus (97.52%) than banyan tree (2.48%). The 27.20% decrease in population was recorded in preceeding year due to formation of new human settlements. Migration of bats was recorded in both years during May-September which again come back during October-November. There was negative correlation of atmospheric temperature with bat population at urban (r=-0.15 to -0.28) and agricultural landscapes (r=-0.93 to -0.94), whereas positive correlation was found between relative humidity and bat population at both landscapes. Positive correlation (r=0.92 and 0.97) was in emergence time between both landscapes, which was lower in summer and higher in winter months. The study will provide baseline information to study echology, behaviour and conservation programmes of P. giganteus.