POPULATION-STRUCTURE AND EMERGENCE ORDER IN THE FRUIT-BAT (ROUSETTUS AEGYPTIACUS, MAMMALIA, CHIROPTERA)

Population size and emergence order of R. aegyptiacus were studied in the Abas cave, Haifa, Israel. Throughout the reproductive period adult females populated the cave and the adult population consisted mainly of adult females except during winter when higher numbers of adult mal es were recorded. The proportion of juveniles increased consistently f rom spring to winter. Thus, it is suggested that the Abas cave serves as a maternity roost. Adult females in the reproductive state emerged from the cave earlier than juveniles and adult males. Social factors a nd differences in nutritional demands which may correspond to this dif ferent emergence order are discussed.