Diet of the golden-tipped bat Kerivoula papuensis (Microchiroptera) from north-eastern New South Wales, Australia

Abstract

The diet of the golden-tipped bat (Kerivoula papuensis) was investigated by collecting faecal samples from captured individuals in the Richmond Range State Forest, north-eastern New South Wales, Australia. Faecal analysis was used so that all captured individuals could be released after processing and banding. A total of 53 faecal pellets were collected in the summer and autumn months from 39 individuals. The major food of K. papuensis were spiders (Araneida) comprising 91.9% of the total volume of food. Other foods consumed in small quantities were Coleoptera, Lepidoptera and Diptera.