Animal Biodiversity and Conservation. Volum 49.1 (2026) Pàgines: e0008-

Seasonal and spatial variations in the diet of the Asiatic lesser yellow house bat (Scotophilus kuhlii) in Cambodian artificial guano farms

Sin, S., Kheam, S., Ith, S., Uk, O. N., Jong, J. D., Phauk, S.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32800/abc.2026.49.0008

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Resum

Insectivorous bats play an important ecological role in regulating insect populations and contributing to nutrient cycling. Although seasonal dietary shifts have been investigated in bats on guano farms, the diet of the Asiatic lesser yellow house bat, Scotophilus kuhlii, remains poorly understood in this context. This study examined seasonal and spatial variations in the diet of S. kuhlii across three artificial guano farms in the provinces of Kandal, Kampong Cham, and Pursat, in Cambodia. We analysed 240 faecal samples collected during dry and wet seasons and identified 18 prey types representing 13 insect families from seven orders, as well as Acari. Scarabaeidae and Lygaeidae were the primary prey during the dry season, whereas Blattellidae dominated the diet in the wet season. Dietary composition was broadly similar among guano farms in the dry season but differed significantly among sites in the wet season. Seasonal dietary shifts were largely driven by nine insect groups: Blattellidae, Lygaeidae, Formicidae, Scolytinae, unclassified Coleoptera, Pentatomidae, Scarabaeidae, Hydrophilidae, and Delphacidae. Our findings indicated that S. kuhlii is an opportunistic predator, with dietary shifts influenced by both seasonal change and spatial differences in prey available among sampling sites. The study highlights the ecological importance of insectivorous bats in guano farming systems, where they contribute not only to organic fertilizer production but also to sustained regulation of insect populations in surrounding agricultural landscapes.

Paraules clau

Bat farm, Conservation, Faecal analysis, Ecosystem services, Coleoptera, Cambodia

Cita

Sin, S., Kheam, S., Ith, S., Uk, O. N., Jong, J. D., Phauk, S., 2026. Seasonal and spatial variations in the diet of the Asiatic lesser yellow house bat (Scotophilus kuhlii) in Cambodian artificial guano farms. Animal Biodiversity and Conservation, 49: e0008-, DOI: https://doi.org/10.32800/abc.2026.49.0008