Giant, Fruit-Eating Bats Are Shrinking
Leaving Madagascar with smaller pollinators The post Giant, Fruit-Eating Bats Are Shrinking appeared first on Nautilus .
In Madagascar, the Madagascan flying fox, a bat known for its role in pollination, is experiencing a decline in size. The study, published in the Journal of Mammalogy, revealed that these fruit-eating bats are physically shrinking over time. The Madagascan flying fox, with a wingspan of up to 5 feet and a range of up to 30 miles during foraging, inadvertently spreads pollen during its travels.
However, a new research indicates that these bats are getting smaller due to commercial hunting. The study's lead author, Emily Cornelius Rohs, and coauthor, Steven M. Goodman, investigated the correlation between the change in body size and the onset of large-scale hunting. They discovered a decrease in size starting around 1980.
The researchers hypothesized that the bats are easier targets and provide more meat, making them a preferred choice for hunters. This hunting trend is concerning not only for the flying fox's size but also for its survival and its role in pollination. Smaller bats mean less pollen spread, affecting the island's ecosystem.
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