CYCLONE-INDUCED SHIFT IN FORAGING BEHAVIOR IN FLYING FOXES IN AMERICAN-SAMOA

Tropical cyclones pass over or near American Samoa on average about on ce every 3 years. Because many trees may be stripped of leaves, flower s, and fruit, cyclones exert a major impact on the feeding ecology of nectivorous and frugivorous living foxes. We examined starch time and in-tree time immediately postcyclone (3-6 weeks) and during a recovery period (15-16 months after the last cyclone). Both Pteropus tonganus and P. samoensis increased search time and decreased tree rime (an ind ication of less food available per tree) immediately after the passage of cyclone Ofa.