Chemical composition of fruits and leaves eaten by short-nosed fruit bat, Cynopterus sphinx

We evaluated organic and macromineral composition of selected fruits and le aves consumed by the short-nosed fruit bat, Cynopterus sphinx in South Indi a. Results of principal components analysis (PCA) comparing soluble carbohy drates. crude protein. and crude fats indicate a higher percentage of prote in in leaves and a higher percentage of carbohydrates and lipids in fruits. However, results of a paired t test comparing these organic components ind icated no differences between fruits and leaves. Among the fruits analyzed. Musa x paradisiaca had the highest percentage of carbohydrates. and Psidiu m guajava had the highest percentage of lipids. Leaves of Cassia fistula, M oringa oleifera, coccinia cordifolia, and F. religiosa had the highest perc entage of protein. PCA of selected macrominerals (Ca, Na, K, and P) indicat e higher levels of Ca in leaves than in fruits. Results of t tests comparin g these macrominerals revealed a difference between fruits and leaves for C a, but not for the other macrominerals. Among the leaves analyzed. Ca was h ighest in mature leaves of C. fistula and lowest in leaves of F. religiosa. Leaves of M. oleifera and fruits of Achras sapota were highest in sodium. Among fruits analyzed for macrominerals. Ca was highest in F. bengalensis a nd lowest in Prosopis juliflora, A. sapota, and M. x paradisiaca. Potassium levels were highest in leaves of C. cordifolia and fruit pods of Prosopis juliflora. Phosphorus content was highest in leaves of M. oleifera and frui ts of M. x paradisiaca. The relatively high concentrations of protein and c alcium in leaves eaten by C. sphinx supports the hypothesis that leaves are important dietary sources for this plant-visiting bat.