How does Africa's most hunted bat vary across the continent? Population traits of the straw-coloured fruit bat (Eidolon helvum) and its interactions with humans

• Autorzy: Peel A.J. , Wood J.L.N. , Baker K.S. , Breed A.C. , De Carvalho A. , Fernandez-Loras A. , Gabrieli H.S. , Gembu G.-C. , Kakengi V.A. , Kaliba P.M. , Kityo R.M. , Lembo T. , Mba F.E. , Ramos D. , Rodriguez-Prieto I. , Suu-Ire R. , Cunningham A.A. , Hayman D.T.S.
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

The straw-coloured fruit bat, Eidolon helvum, is a common and conspicuous migratory species, with an extensive distribution across sub-Saharan Africa, yet hunting and habitat loss are thought to be resulting in decline in some areas. Eidolon helvum is also a known reservoir for potentially zoonotic viruses. Despite E. helvum's importance, ecological and behavioural traits are poorly described for this species. Here we present extensive data on the distribution, migration patterns, roost size, age and sex composition of 29 E. helvum roosts from nine countries across tropical Africa, including roosts not previously described in the literature. Roost age and sex composition were dependent on timing of sampling relative to the annual birth pulse. Rather than a single ‘breeding season’ as is frequently reported for this species, regional asynchrony of reproductive timing was observed across study sites (with birth pulses variably starting in March, April, September, November or December). Considered together with its genetic panmixia, we conclude that the species has a fluid, fission-fusion social structure, resulting in different roost ‘types’ at different times of the year relative to seasonal reproduction. Bat-human interactions also varied across the species' geographical range. In the absence of significant hunting, large urban colonies were generally tolerated, yet in regions with high hunting pressure, bats tended to roost in remote or protected sites. The extensive quantitative and qualitative data presented in this manuscript are also valuable for a wide range of studies and provide an historical snapshot as its populations become increasingly threatened.

• Wydawca: -
• Czasopismo: Acta Chiropterologica
• Rocznik: 2017
• Tom: 19
• Numer: 1
• Opis fizyczny: p.77-92,fig.,ref.

Twórcy

autor

Peel A.J.

• Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, United Kingdom
• Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, United Kingdom
• Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, 4111, Australia

autor

Wood J.L.N.

• Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, United Kingdom

autor

Baker K.S.

• Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, United Kingdom
• Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, United Kingdom

autor

Breed A.C.

• Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, United Kingdom

autor

De Carvalho A.

• Direcao Geral de Ambiente, Avenida Kwame Krhuma-Caixa Postal 1023, Sao Tome, Sao Tome e Principe

autor

Fernandez-Loras A.

• Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, United Kingdom

autor

Gabrieli H.S.

• Tanzania Veterinary Laboratory Agency (TVLA), Ministry of Livestock Development and Fisheries (MLDF), P.O. Box 1026, Tanga, Tanzania

autor

Gembu G.-C.

• Faculte des Sciences, Universite de Kisangani, Kisangani, Republique Democratique du Congo

autor

Kakengi V.A.

• Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute, Box 661, Arusha, Tanzania

autor

Kaliba P.M.

• Museums of Malawi, P.O. Box 30360, Chichiri, Blantyre 3, Malawi

autor

Kityo R.M.

• College of Natural Sciences, School of BioSciences, Department of Biological Sciences. Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda

autor

Lembo T.

• Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, Scotland

autor

Mba F.E.

• Instituto Nacional de Desarrollo Forestal y Manejo del Sistema de Areas Protegidas (INDEFOR-AP), Calle Jesus Bakale S/N, Bata, Equatorial Guinea

autor

Ramos D.

• Parque Natural do Principe, Avenida Amilcar Cabral, Cidade de Santo Antonio, Ilha do Principe, Sao Tome e Principe

autor

Rodriguez-Prieto I.

• Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC 28006 Madrid, Spain

autor

Suu-Ire R.

• Wildlife Division, Ghana Forestry Commission, Accra, Ghana
• Faculty of Animal Biology and Conservation Science, University of Ghana, Box LG 571, Legon, Accra, Ghana

autor

Cunningham A.A.

• Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, United Kingdom

autor

Hayman D.T.S.

• Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, United Kingdom
• Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, United Kingdom
• Molecular Epidemiology and Public Health Laboratory, Hopkirk Research Institute, Massey University, Private Bag, 11 222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand

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Identyfikatory

DOI

10.3161/15081109ACC2017.19.1.006