Distribution and Roost Selection of the Indian Flying Fox (Pteropus giganteus) in Bhavnagar and Ghogha taluka, Bhavnagar, Gujarat.

Dihora Shailesh Punjabhai; Dr. P. P. Dodia

Distribution and Roost Selection of the Indian Flying Fox (Pteropus giganteus) in Bhavnagar and Ghogha taluka, Bhavnagar, Gujarat.

Author(s)	Dihora Shailesh Punjabhai, Dr. P. P. Dodia
Country	India
Abstract	The Indian Flying Fox (Pteropus giganteus) is a keystone species that provides essential ecosystem services through pollination and seed dispersal. Despite its ecological importance, specific data regarding its roost selction and habitat characteristics in certain regions, such as Gujarat, remains scarce. This study investigated the distribution, population dynamics, and roost tree preferences of P. giganteus across 15 sites in the Bhavnagar and Ghogha talukas of Bhavnagar district, Gujarat, from 2020 to 2022. A total of 78 roost trees across 14 species were identified, with a strong preference for large trees featuring wide canopies (76% of occupied trees), most notably Ficus bengalensis. Statistical analysis revealed significant positive correlations between colony population size and several factors: the number of trees within a grove (r = 0.485), grove size (r = 0.292), and tree characteristics such as diameter at breast height (DBH) and tree height. Roost sites were typically located near water bodies (mean distance 165 ± 178 m) to facilitate thermoregulation and drinking. The study further identified two distinct roost types: breeding camps, where female numbers peaked during the August-September mating season, and non-breeding camps, which served as sites for parturition between February and March. Despite their adaptability to urban and agricultural environments, P. giganteus faces significant threats from habitat destruction—specifically the removal of large canopy trees—and anthropogenic factors such as electrocution on power lines. These findings underscore the urgent need for conservation strategies that prioritize the protection of large, long-lived trees and groves to ensure the survival of this persecuted yet vital species.
Keywords	Pteropus giganteus, roost selection, roosting ecology, conservation, breeding camps.
Field	Biology > Zoology
Published In	Volume 16, Issue 12, Array 2025
Published On	2025-12-31
Cite This	Distribution and Roost Selection of the Indian Flying Fox (Pteropus giganteus) in Bhavnagar and Ghogha taluka, Bhavnagar, Gujarat. - Dihora Shailesh Punjabhai, Dr. P. P. Dodia - IJTAS Volume 16, Issue 12, Array 2025.

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Distribution and Roost Selection of the Indian Flying Fox (Pteropus giganteus) in Bhavnagar and Ghogha taluka, Bhavnagar, Gujarat.

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