Dietary analysis of eight insectivorous bats (Chiroptera) from Puting Bato Cave Complex, Burdeos, Polillo Island, Philippines

Abstract

Food habits of eight insectivorous bat species from Puting Bato Cave Complex, Polillo Island, were examined. Fecal samples collected from eight species of cave-dwelling insectivorous bats contained culled fragments from seven prey taxa (six insect orders and one fish prey). Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and Hymenoptera were the most consumed group in both percentage volume and percentage frequency. The diet of Hipposideros diadema, H. pygmaeus, Rhinolophus arcuatus, and R. philippinensis mostly concurs with previous studies but with varying proportions. Baseline information on the diets of H. coronatus, M. paululus, R. macrotis, and R. rufus is provided in this study.

Keywords

• fecal analysis
• Hipposideros
• insect bat diet
• Miniopterus
• Rhinolophus