Survey on Distribution and Conservation Status of the Indian Flying Fox Pteropus Giganteus: a Bioindicator of Wetland Ecosystem

Research Journal of Chemical and Environmental Sciences Res J. Chem. Environ. Sci. Vol 6 [1] February 2018: 75-80 Online ISSN 2321-1040 CODEN: RJCEA2 [USA] ©Academy for Environment and Life Sciences, INDIA RRJJCCEESS Website: www.aelsindia.com/rjces.htm

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Survey on Distribution and Conservation status of the Indian flying fox Pteropus giganteus: A bioindicator of wetland Ecosystem

J. Dhivahar, *S. Suthakar Isaac Research Department of Zoology, St.John’s College Palayamkottai 627 002 Tamil Nadu *E-mail: [email protected] (Corresponding author)

ABSTRACT The population of the Indian flying fox, Pteropus giganteus was survived in Tirunelveli, Toothukudi and Kanyakumari districts of the South Tamilnadu during the years 2004 and 2012. This study was carried out in 23 taluks in which 41 roosting sites were located from 16 taluks. The total count of P. giganteus in the study area was around 22,000 in 2004 and after a period of 8 years, it is increased up to about 34,830. The total number of roost trees also has been increased from 87 to 188. Among 15 species of roosting trees, 7 are commonly used (80.60%) and other 8 species are less frequently used (19.40%). About 90% of the roosting sites of P. giganteus were located nearer to the water bodies and wetlands. Evidently, 39% of the roosts were located pond-side, 34% in riverbank, 20% in canal-side and 7% in agricultural land and residential area. Thus P. giganteus prefers to roost in trees near water bodies, where a suitable microclimatic condition prevails. Therefore, this species can be considered as a bio-indicator of wetland ecosystem of tropical plains. KEYWORDS: Chiroptera, Indian flying fox, Population survey, Bio-indicator, wetlands, Tamilnadu.

INTRODUCTION Chiroptera constitutes the second most diverse order of mammals. Despite the fact that India has 11.6% of world bat species, they have been neglected in community ecology and conservation studies [1]. In current imperative of conserving the world’s biodiversity, it is important to understand the life-scape that is patterns of distribution and diversity of bats in various habitats and underlying processes for changes in these patterns [2]. In general, Old World fruit bats are of considerable conservation concern. Out of 64 Pteropus species, 7 are believed to have become extinct [3] and a further 17 species are considered [4]. The Indian flying fox, Pteropus giganteus however, seems to be safe, which is widespread on mainland of India, Sri Lanka and Andaman Isles is not threatened either. They are also widely distributed in the tropics and sub-tropics of Asia, Australia, Indonesia, islands off East Africa, but not mainland Africa, and a number of remote oceanic islands in both the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Most flying foxes that have been studied are moderately or strongly colonial [5] Perhaps some of them form colonies that contain up to a few hundred to millions of individuals [6]. It is reported that about 24,480 individuals of Indian flying fox, the largest known aggregation, were found in Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, Srilanka [7]. Characteristically, all species of flying foxes only feed on nectar, blossom, pollen, and fruit, which explain their limited tropical distribution. It is considered as an essential seed dispersal and pollinating agent for reforestation of our forest ecosystems [8]. The present study focuses on current patterns of distribution of Indian flying fox Pteropus giganteus, across southern districts of Tamil Nadu, India. This study also helps to understand the exclusiveness of indian flying fox in various places of the study area. Further the population trend and conservation status of this fruit bat species is analyzed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS The study area comprises the plains of three southern districts of Tamilnadu in India. Tirunelveli district, the penultimate southern most part of Tamilnadu (08o 8” and 09o 23” N and 77o 09” and 77o 54” E), is

RJCES Vol 6 [1] February 2018 75 | P a g e © 2018 AELS, INDIA Dhivahar and Isaac described as a microcosm of the state, owing to its mosaic and diverse geographical and physical features. The total geographical area of the district is 6,823 sq. km. Toothukudi district, a costal region (08o 45” N and 78o 13” E) is bounded by the Bay of Bengal and the districts of Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari and Ramanathapuram. Borassus flabellifer could be seen in this district and it covers an area of 4,621 sq. km. Kanyakumari district is situated in the southern tip Tamilnadu (8o 03” and 8o 35” N and 77o 15” and 77o 36” E). This district is surrounded by Gulf of Mannar, Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and a part of Kerala state and measures an area of 1672 sq.km. Population survey on the flying fox (Pteropus giganteus) was conducted in the plains of these three districts during two different years 2004 and 2012. Periodic visits were made and bat roosts were located based on the enquiries from the local people. To elucidate the population size of the Indian flying foxes, bats were counted and observed at the different hours of the day. ‘’Direct roost count’’ method was followed to estimate the population size of the colony [9], and observations were made with the naked eyes. Depending on the need, the help of a Binocular was also taken to spot out the hiding bats [8]. We also interviewed the local villagers, plantation workers, wildlife officers, forestry personnel, and hunters regarding information on locations of flying fox camps and foraging areas in local language Tamil. But we did not rely on interviews for information on colony size [10].

Fig. 1: Distribution of the Indian flying fox Pteropus giganteus in South Tamilnadu

RJCES Vol 6 [1] February 2018 76 | P a g e © 2018 AELS, INDIA Dhivahar and Isaac RESULT AND DISCUSSION This present survey was carried-out in 23 taluks from the three districts viz., Tirunelveli, Toothukudi and Kanyakumari, in which 41 roosts were located from 16 taluks. The total population of P. giganteus was around 22,000 in 2004 and during 2012 it was increased up to about 34,830. The number of roosts also has been found to have been increased after eight years from 87 to 188. A maximum colony size of about 13,400 was recorded roosting on 26 trees of Terminalia arjuna on the banks of the river Tampirabarani at Srivaikuntam (Table 1 and Fig. 1). Among 15 species of roosting trees, 7 were commonly used (80.60 %) and other 8 species are less frequently used (19.40%). The commonly used tree species are Terminalia arjuna (34.40%), Bassia latifolia (18.81%), Ficus benghalensis (9.13%), Cassia siamea (6.98%), Termarindus indica (4. 83%), Ficus religiosia (4.30%) and Mangifera indica (2.15%). A majority of the roosting sites of P. giganteus were located in wetland ecosystem. Evidently, 39% of the roosts were located pond-side, 34% in riverbank, 20% in canal-side and 7% in agricultural land and residential area. P. giganteus prefers to roost in trees near water bodies, where a microclimatic condition of high humidity and low temperature prevail. Therefore, this species can be considered as a bio-indicator of wetland ecosystem of tropical plains. Most of the roosting sites of P. giganteus were observed to be located nearer to the water bodies, for instance 90% (37 trees) roosts were located on the bank of rivers, ponds and canals and the rest 10% (4 trees) on the cultivated agricultural land, and in the center of a residential area. Among the total 41 roost sites, 20 roosts were well protected from hunting and other threats. The main threat is hunting by local people for food and for medicine. Flying foxes are also confronted with habitat loss, and electrocution A few roosts are disturbed, because the local people dislike the noise of bats and fecal dropping falling around the residential area (Table 2). Generally, Pteropodida fruit bats face severe threats such as habitat and roost destruction, hunting and storm damage that are exacerbated by their restricted ranges and island distribution in under-resourced tropical nations [4]. Many species of Pteropus are threatened today with extinction and in particular in the Pacific a number of species have died out as a result of over harvesting for human consumption. In the Marianas flying fox meat is considered a delicacy, which led to a large commercial trade. P. hypomelanus of the Maldives is considered endangered due to limited distribution and excessive culling.

Table 1. Distribution of the Indian flying fox, Pteropus giganteus in South Tamilnadu during 2004 and 2012, with details of population size, roosting tree species, habitat and conservation status. 2004 2012 No of Bat No of Bat

Roost Ppn Roos Ppn Name of Roost Habitat Status S.No Location tree size t size Tree tree 1 _ Sivagiri _ 16 40 Bassia latifolia G/SG/PN/CA/VL PA 2 Vasudevanaillur _ Terminalia arjuna CB / PN / CA / G. _ 3 10 Casurina UP equisetifolia 3 Karuppanathi 1 200 1 500 Ficus religiosa CA/RB UP/HT Terminalia arjuna 4 V.K. Pudhur 5 700 11 ,000 Bassia latifolia RS/VL/PN UP/HT

Kattalaikudiyiruppu _ _ 280 Terminalia arjuna 5 1 G/ PN PA 3 690 Terminalia arjuna RB / RS. PA. 6 Tenkasi 1 100

7 Kadayam 1 300 1 Ficus benghalensis CB/CA UP 420 Bassia latifolia 8 Courtallam 1 250 21 Cassia siamea 960 Mangifera indica G / TR / CB/ CA PA Termarindus indica Terminalia arjuna 9 Sivasailam 4 338 1 110 RB / VL / CA UP / HT Terminalia arjuna 10 Papankulam 3 850 7 570 Bombax ceiba VL/RB UP/HT Mangifera indica Ficus benghalensis 11 Adaichani - - 2 70 CB / VL. UP / HT. Borassus flabellifer 12 Urkadu _ _ 1 460 Terminalia arjuna RB / G / TR UP

Kailidaikurichi 1 300 3 380 Bassia latifolia G / CB / CA PA / UD. 13 Tamarindus indica Terminala arjuna

Bassia latifolia 14 Thirupoodaimardhure 2 385 11 2,500 G / RB PA Polyalthia longifolia

Syzygium cumini G/GO PA Tarmarindus indica 15 Sanker Nager 1 100 7 420 Albizia lebbeck

Pithecellobium dulce

Polyalthia longifolia

16 Rajavillipuram 2 100 3 2,100 Terminalia arjuna CA/RB UP/HT 17 Tirunelveli-Town 1 200 4 700 Terminalia arjuna RB/VL PA 18 Padmaneri _ _ 1 130 Ficus benghalensis VL/SG/CA PA 19 Vadamalai 5 245 2 610 Ficus religiosia VL/CA/RB PA Samudhiram 20 Naguneri 1 150 2 580 Terminalia arjuna RS/PN/CA PA Terminalia arjuna 21 Thirukurngudi _ _ 2 Ficus religiosa RB/VL UP/HT 3,550 22 Panagudi 1 200 640 Terminalia TR/GO/VL/PN. PA 1 arjuna 23 Kuthallurani _ _ 360 Albizia lebbeck SG/PN/VL PA 1 Ficus 24 Verapandiapuram _ _ 320 benghalensis TR/PN/VL PA 2 _ _ Ficus 25 Kethilapuram 70 benghalensis PN/VL/CA PA 1 _ Ficus 26 Puissunure _ 1 210 benghalensis PN/VL/CA PA Ficus 27 Nedungulam 2 600 230 benghalensis PN/VL/CA PA 2 Ficus 28 M.Shanmugapuram - _ 1 560 benghalensis PN UP Ficus UP/ 29 Akilandapuram-І 1 100 1 350 PN/VL benghalensis HT 30 Ficus UP/ Akilandapuram-П 1 75 - - PN/CA/SG benghalensis HT 31 Murappanadu 1 400 4 600 Terminalia arjuna CA/VL/SG/RB PA 32 Seydunganallur _ _ 1 140 Terminalia arjuna RS/PN/CB PA

33 Srivaikundam 30 13,425 26 200 Terminalia arjuna RS/GO/RB/G/TR PA Ficus benghalensis RS/VL/PN/GO PA 34 Attur 4 650 7 600 Ficus religiosia 35 Eral 1 Terminalia arjuna VL/GO/CA/RB 300 2 830 Ficus religiosia PA 36 Naidhakulam _ _ 6 860 Terminala arjuna PN/VL/RS UP/HT. Ficus benghalensis 37 Paramankurichi _ _ 6 930 Ficus benghalensis VL/RS PA Azadinachta indica Polyalthia longifoli 38 Kulasekharam 2 105 4 320 Atrocarpus nissuta G/CB/VL/GO PA Hevea brazilieasis 39 Kuzhulidurai 1 250 1 620 Ficus benghalensis CB/VL PA 40 Boothapandi 11 805 12 ,200 Bassia latifolia RB/GO/TR PA Termarindus indica Ficus religiosia 41 Idalakudi 1 75 5 250 Ficus benghalensis G/VL/SG/TR/CB PA Cocos nucifera Habitat: RB – River Bank; CB – Canal Bank; PN-Pond Nearby; CA – Cultivated area; GO – Government Office nearby; G – Garden; TR – Traditional Roost; RS – Road side; SG - Sacred grooves (Temple campus); VL – Village Limit; Status: PA – Protected Area; UP – Unprotected Area; HT – Hunting.

Table 2. Distribution of Indian flying fox Pteropus giganteus in three districts of South Tamilnadu, places of roosting site with latitude and longitude. S.No Location Latitude Longitude 1 Sivagiri 9 .34’’N̊ 77 .42’’E̊ 2 Vasudevanaillur 9 .23’’N̊ 77 .41’’E̊ 3 Karuppanathi 8 .73’’N̊ 77 .70’’E̊ 4 V.K. Pudhur 8 .38’’N̊ 77 .66’’E̊ 5 Kattalaikudiyiruppu 8 .73’’N̊ 77 .70’’E 6 Tenkasi 8 .95’’N̊ 77 .31’’E̊ 7 Kadayam 8 .82’’N̊ 77 .37’’E̊ 8 Courtallam 8 .93’’N̊ 77 .27’’E̊ 9 Sivasailam 8 .78’’N̊ 77 .34’’E̊ 10 Papankulam 8 .77’’N̊ 77 .42’’E̊ 11 Adaichani 8 .74’’N̊ 77 .45’’E̊ 12 Urkadu 8 .73’’N̊ 77 .70’’E̊ 13 Kailidaikurichi 8 .73’’N̊ 77 .70’’E̊ 14 Thirupoodaimardhure 8 .73’’N̊ 77 .70’’E̊ 15 Sanker Nager 8 .80’’N̊ 77 .73’’E̊ 16 Rajavillipuram 8 .73’’N̊ 77 .70’’E̊ 17 Tirunelveli-Town 8 .73’’N̊ 77 .70’’E̊ 18 Padmaneri 8 .54’’N̊ 77 .56’’E̊ 19 Vadamalai samudhiram 8 .73’’N̊ 77 .70’’E̊ 20 Naguneri 8 .49’’N̊ 77 .65’’E̊ 21 Thirukurngudi 8 .43’’N̊ 77 .̊ 56’’E 22 Panagudi 8 .30’’N̊ 77 .56’’E̊ 23 Kuthallurani 8 .74’’N̊ 77 .93’’E̊ 24 Verapandiapuram 8 .76’’N̊ 78 .13’’E̊ 25 Kethilapuram 9 .14’’N̊ 77 .99’’E̊ 26 Puissunure 8 .76’’N̊ 78 .13’’E̊ 27 Nedungulam 8 .53’’N̊ 77 .67’’E̊ 28 M.Shanmugapuram 8 .80’’N̊ 77 .14’’E̊ 29 Akilandapuram-І 8 .76’’N̊ 78 .13’’E̊ 30 Akilandapuram-П 8 .76’’N̊ 78 .13’’E̊ 31 Murappanadu 8 .71’’N̊ 77 .83’’E̊ 32 Seydunganallur 8 .66’’N̊ 77 .82’’E̊ 33 Srivaikundam 8 .62’’N̊ 77 .91’’E̊ 34 Attur 8 .76’’N̊ 78 .13’’E̊ 35 Eral 8 .62’’N̊ 78 .02’’E̊ 36 Naidhakulam 8 .76’’N̊ 78 .13’’E̊ 37 Paramankurichi 8 .48’’N̊ 78 .04’’E̊ 38 Kulasekharam 8 .36’’N̊ 77 .30’’E̊ 39 Kuzhulidurai 8 .08’’N̊ 77 .53’’E̊ 40 Boothapandi 8 .26’’N̊ 77 .44’’E̊ 41 Idalakudi 8 .16’’N̊ 77 .44’’E̊

During the study period, the total population of P. giganteus was found to be increased as the number of roosts increased from 87 to 188 trees. Traditional protection, religious beliefs, legal measures and the efforts of conservation organizations have all helped to counter, although only partially, the threats confronting bats and consequent increase in bat population in the study area. In spite of this increase in population size, the site needs protection from habitat destructions and killing of the roosting bats, since among the total 41 roost sites, 20 were well protected but in a few roosts the bat population declined. Moreover, regular monitoring and ecological observations can help to understand and determine the exact cause of population decline in specific roosting sites. Besides, bat education and awareness camps are prime needs to make the people bat friendly and for the restoration of the declining bat population.

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CITE THIS ARTICLE J. Dhivahar, S. Suthakar Isaac. Survey on Distribution and Conservation status of the Indian flying fox Pteropus giganteus: A bioindicator of wetland Ecosystem. Res. J. Chem. Env. Sci. Vol 6 [1] February 2018. 75-80