Feeding patterns of Indian giant flying squirrel (Petaurista philippensis, Elliot 1839) with reference to seasonal variation in central Gujarat, India

Abstract

Indian Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista philippensis Elliot 1839) is widely distributed in South Asia and the only species of flying squirrel found in Gujarat. We studied the seasonal variation in its feeding behaviour at selected sites of Central Gujarat. Focal sampling was employed to study the behaviours and mainly feeding behaviours. Feeding analyses were consistent with other studies and indicated Madhuca longifolia as an important food resource. The diet of the species mainly consisted of pith, twig, seed, bark, petiole, young to mature leaves, flower and fruits of 20 species of plants of 15 families along with lichens, Vanda tessellata and Dendrophthoe falcata. Madhuca longifolia (25%) contributed most to the squirrel diet, followed by Diospyros melanoxylon (10%) and Terminalia tomentosa (9%). Among the plant parts consumed, pith formed the highest bulk as a food at 23%, followed by fruits (21%), bark (16%), twig (14%), flower (10%), seed (6%), leaf (6%), and bud (4%). The findings reveal the high dependency of flying squirrel on certain tree species. These tree species are well represented and distributed throughout central Gujarat, indicating that this area is important for the survival of this species and that the area should be conserved for protection and future management of this species.

Keywords

Arboreal rodent / Behaviour / Madhuca longifolia / Phenology / Western India

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