Diversity and Ecological Insights of Fruit Bats in Durian Orchards of Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo

Abstract

Pteropodid bats are important pollinators for tropical fruits like durian (Durio zibethinus), which is very important for both the economy and culture of Southeast Asia. This study aimed to examine the ecological interactions and habitat relationships of pteropodid bats in durian orchards. From August 2021 to November 2022, mist-netting surveys were done at 13 orchards and documented 839 individuals from ten pteropodid species. Cynopterus brachyotis was the most common species seen. Floral observations showed that anthesis in D. zibethinus started at roughly 16:30 with the opening of flower buds, succeeded by anther dehiscence at 19:00, coinciding with the initiation of feeding activity in pteropodid bats. Pollen analysis verified floral visitation, revealing that 82% of pollen-positive captures were attributed to C. brachyotis. Bat captures peaked during the flowering period, especially from September to November. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Generalised Linear Mixed Models (GLMMs) were used to look at the habitat, and they showed that the size of the durian orchard (ha) was the sole important factor that affected the number of bats. Other variables, such as orchard age and the quantity of flowering trees, did not exhibit statistical significance. These results show how important durian orchard sites are for batmediated pollination services and propose that conservation should be a part of how orchards are managed.