%0 Journal Article %A CHEN Zhong %A LI Yuchun %A MENG Yihang %A ZHOU Feng %T Activity rhythms and food habits of Leschenault's rousette (Rousettus leschenaulti) in Hainan Island %D 2007 %R %J ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA %P 112-119 %V 27 %N 2 %X The activity rhythms and food habits of Leschenault's rousette (Rousettus leschenaulti)were studied monthly during February to November 2005 in the northern part of the Hainan Island,China. Food habits were studied using food remant analysis, feces analysis, and artificial feeding experiments. Nocturnal activity hours outside of roosts changed significantly (ANOVA, P < 0.001) and were shorter in May to July (552.2± 26.7 min) than that in other months (634.7±16.7 min, LSD, P < 0.05). Partial correlation analysis showed that onset and peak times of emergence at dusk were mainly determined by light intensity, and correlated significantly with temperature but not with humidity. It is considered that seasonal changes of nocturnal activity time span of Leschenault's rousette were responses to availability of food resources and artificial fruits. A total of 21 species of plants in 14 families were examined as Leschenault’s rousette's food including 11 unreported food species including Melia azedarach, Terminalia catappa, Coccinia grandis, Solanum verbascifolium and nectar of Bombax ceiba,etc. We found Leschenault 's rousette fed on nectar of B. ceiba, indicating Leschenault 's rousette is also a nectar feeder.
%U http://www.mammal.cn/EN/abstract/article_2113.shtml