There are Two types of Bats. 1. Megachiroptera : Large Bats (Fruit eating bats)
2. Michrochiroptera: Small bats (Insect eating bats)
Importance of Bats in Ecosystem
- Pollinator, seed dispersers and insect consumer.
- Bats ever misunderstood and ignored by people as they neither aware of ecological significance nor know about their nature.
- An insectivorous bat may consume hundreds of insects per hour, while large colonies claim tonnes of insects each night, including beetle and moth species that otherwise cost farmers and foresters billions of rupees annually (Mickleburgh et al., 2002).
- Frugivours bats pollinate at least 500 neotropical plant species of 96 genera, disperse seeds for many and play vital in global ecosystems (Humphrey and Bonaccorso, 1979).
- Do not believe in myths like, bats attack on nose and suck our blood and others consider them a sign of sin, destruction and poverty.
Reference:
- Mickleburgh, S. P., Hutson, A. M. and Racey, P. A. (2002): A review of the global conservation status of the bats. Oryx, 36(1): 18-34.
- Humphrey, S. R. and Bonaccorso, F. J. (1979): Population and community ecology. Biology of the bats of the New World family Phyllostomatidae. Part III (eds. R. J. Baker, J. Knox Jones Jr. and D. C. Carter). Special Publication of the Texas Tech University 16: 409-441.
- Senacha, K R (2009): Status survey and conservation education campaign: a community participation approach to protect bats in Thar Desert, India. Final Report, Rufford Small Grant Project Ref. No. 06.08.07, 1 – 67.
