Feeding Habits of Cynopterus sphinx in Guangzhou Area

Greater short-nosed fruit bat (Cynopterus sphinx) is an abundant species of fruit-eating bats widely distributed in the Guangzhou area. From May 2004 to April 2006, the feeding habits of Cynopterus sphinx were studied using field surveys, gleaning and feces analysis. Analysis of 26 feces and leftovers of Cynopterus sphinx showed that Cynopterus sphinx had eaten fruits from 21 plant species belonging to 13 families and leaves of 3 species belonging to 3 families. The main food of Cynopterus sphinx are fruits of Moraceae ficus, Syzygium jambos, Livistona subglobosa and Livistona subglobosa. The feeding habits of Cynopterus sphinx changed seasonally, as it mainly ate various kinds of fruits in summer and autumn, but seeds of Livistona subglobosa in winter and spring. The reproduction fastigium of Cynopterus sphinx in Guangzhou area is from May to October.