Mauritian Flying Fox - Ecology

Ecology

They roost in large groups and are active at dusk and dawn. Their diet consists of fruit and nectar, making them important seed dispersers and pollinators.

Pteropus niger is a pollinator and seed dispenser. As less than 1.9% of the island supports native vegetation, and reproduction of plant species is poor, the survival of the p.niger as a species is important to the ecosystem as whole. The study (conducted from October 1999- April 2000) looked at two large roost areas in Bel Ombre, each consisting of at least 400 individuals. No roosts of the bats exist in village areas. The bats are mostly located in the Bel Ombre forest, with some smaller populations in the Combo Forest and Black River Village. Consumes mostly fruit and some fauna, when available or absolutely necessary. The study found that the bats consumed 20 species of flora, 18% of which were native to Mauritius. Of those native species, 36% are either vulnerable or rare. The bats dispersed many seeds from these plants in flight through there feces. This is ultimately advantageous to many of the native species (mostly fruit species, which make up the majority of the bat's diet) They also found that p.niger is an opportunistic feeder, mostly adapting and eating whatever plants/fruits are available to it at the time. While there was little evidence to support that the p.niger is valuable in the pollination process, it's role as a seed dispenser is important to the survival of many species of plant life on Mauritius.