Cyclone-induced shift in foraging behavior in flying foxes in American Samoa
Grant GS, Craig P, Trail PW. 1997. Cyclone-induced shift in foraging behavior in flying foxes in American Samoa. Biotropica. 29(2):224-228
Tropical cyclones pass over or near American Samoa on average about once every 3 years. Because many trees may be stripped of leaves, flowers, and fruits, cyclones exert a major impact on the feeding ecology of nectivorous and frugivorous flying foxes. We examined search time and in-tree time immediately post cyclone (3-6 weeks) and during a recovery period (15-16 months after the last cyclone). Both Pteropus tonganus and P. samoensis increased search time and decreased tree time (an indication of less food available per tree) immediately after the passage of cyclone Ofa.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Grant, Gilbert; Craig, Peter; Trail, Pepper
- Units
- NPSA , PACN
- Keywords
- American Samoa, Animal Studies, Feeding, flying foxes, Hurricanes, Pacific Fruit Bats (Pteropodidae), Pteropus Samoensis, Pteropus tonganus