Abstract
Livingstone’s fruit bats (Pteropus livingstonii) are a gregarious, socially complex, and Critically Endangered species that is endemic to the Comoros Islands, with a population size of ca. 1,200 individuals in the wild. In the early 1990s, a captive breeding program was established as a safeguard against extinction. The presence of this species in captivity enables research that would otherwise be impossible, due to the inaccessibility and cryptic nature of this species in the wild. My research utilises behavioural observations, audio vocalisation recordings and genetic microsatellite data to investigate aspects of male dominance, vocalisation complexity, and genetic diversity in the captive populations.I discovered the following: this species has a stable male linear-dominance hierarchy, with male rank being determined by age but not body mass. Dominant males instigate the most agonistic interactions, directing them towards the lowest ranking males to suppress and solidify ranks. The vocal repertoire is complex, with at least six distinct context-specific vocalisations, and information regarding individual identity is present within territorial “call” vocalisations. The genetic diversity of the captive population is relatively stable and has remained largely unchanged over the four generations that this species has existed in captivity. The current level of captive genetic diversity in the most recent generation of bats is comparable to current genetic diversity in the wild.
I conclude that current practices for managing captive Livingstone’s fruit bats are largely effective and accommodate the social complexity of the species, maintaining a healthy and diverse population. However, I make minor recommendations for captive management, including considerations to social structure, sensory modalities, and genetic health to prolong and maximise the effectiveness and longevity of the captive breeding programme.
| Date of Award | 9 May 2023 |
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| Original language | English |
| Awarding Institution |
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| Supervisor | Gareth Jones (Supervisor) & Grainne Mccabe (Supervisor) |