Foraging Behavior and Diet Composition of the Indian False Vampire Bat Megaderma lyra (Chiroptera) in Satchori National Park, Habiganj, Bangladesh

This study investigates the foraging behavior and diet composition of the Indian false vampire bat (Megaderma lyra) in Satchori National Park, Habiganj, Bangladesh. Field observations and dietary analyses were conducted from August 2018 to June 2019 in an abandoned house located within a palm plantation and forested area. Diet composition was determined by analyzing prey remains collected from feeding roosts and fecal pellets, while foraging activity was recorded through direct observation. The results indicate that Megaderma lyra feeds on a wide variety of prey items, including insects from several orders and small vertebrates such as fish, frogs, birds, and rodents. Among insect prey, Coleopterans were identified as the dominant food component throughout the study period, while other insect groups served as constant or supplementary food sources. The bats primarily forage at dusk in nearby habitats, including tea plantations, paddy fields, and ponds. The findings highlight the ecological importance of Megaderma lyra as a predator that helps control insect populations and maintain ecosystem balance in tropical forests and agricultural landscapes.