Plant and Bat Interactions in West Africa

Abstract

Jne of the most dramatic plant and animal relationships in the West African ecosystem is that which takes place between such frugivorus bats as Epomophorus vx an) and Eidolon helvum and the A A neem tree, Azadirac hia indica.While earlier studies on bat behavior were carried out by personal observation and ordinary ph "uir means, recently developed night vision didi nt has allowed the author to make nocturnal observations previously not possible.New observations, using this equipment, have now been made on bats and their interaction with n of the following species: Mangifera indica, Anacardium occidentale, Ficus umbellata, Psidium guajava, Carica papaya, Kigelia africana, Spathodea campanulata, Parkia clappertoniana, Ceiba pentandra, and Adansonia digitata.Observations are ii ted on jin roosting characteristics of bats of the genus Epomophorus.The effect of feedy bats on the un of various trees and the resulting dispersal of seeds on the coastal Meta plici.d, (Accra Plains) of Ghana, are discussed.The effect of introduced plants on the bat population aad d E to ihe ¥ West African ecosystem which are attributable to the plant and bat interactions are summarized, '] am most grateful to Drs. Henry Setzer, Thomas R. Soderstrom, and Don E. Wilson for jesus.discussions and for reviewing