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Activity patterns of the Ryukyu flying fox on a subtropical island: responses to seasonal changes in night length

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Abstract

Almost all chiropteran species are nocturnal, but some species are occasionally active during the daytime. We conducted radio-tracking surveys and direct observations of the Ryukyu flying fox, Pteropus dasymallus, in two different habitats—urbanized and forested areas—on a subtropical island from April 2002 to January 2006. We recorded the departure time and return time from/to day roosts as well as behavioral time budgets during the night. The departure and return times shifted in correspondence with seasonal changes in sunset and sunrise times. The Ryukyu flying fox tended to depart earlier in summer when the night length was shorter, suggesting that it adjusts its active period by departing earlier. On the contrary, the amount of foraging performed by the bats in urbanized areas decreased in the summer when fruits of Ficus microcarpa were more abundant, suggesting that the bats adjust their behavioral time budgets in line with local food availability. Daytime activity was observed only in the forested area. In conclusion, the duration of Ryukyu flying fox activity was found to primarily depend on seasonal changes in the light–dark cycle, and this bat may adjust its behavioral time budget according to local food availability and the intensity of human activities.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Professors M. Tsuchiya and A. Hagihara, University of the Ryukyus, for their valuable comments throughout our study. Suggestions from two anonymous reviewers were also very helpful in regard to improving the manuscript. We also thank the Ministry of the Environment for allowing us to conduct this survey. This study was partially supported by a Grant-in-Aid from the Nippon Life Insurance Foundation, a Sasakawa Scientific Research Grant from the Japan Science Society, and the 21st Century COE program of the University of the Ryukyus.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, Senbaru 1, Nishihara, Okinawa, 903-0213, Japan

    Atsushi Nakamoto & Masako Izawa

  2. Faculty of Law, Okinawa International University, Ginowan 2-6-1, Ginowan, Okinawa, 901-2701, Japan

    Kazumitsu Kinjo

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  1. Atsushi Nakamoto
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  2. Kazumitsu Kinjo
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  3. Masako Izawa
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Correspondence to Atsushi Nakamoto.

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Nakamoto, A., Kinjo, K. & Izawa, M. Activity patterns of the Ryukyu flying fox on a subtropical island: responses to seasonal changes in night length. J Ethol 34, 321–328 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10164-016-0478-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10164-016-0478-4

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