GAMBHAR BRIDGE (Cave near)

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

Bat collectors noticed a natural cave approximately 8 m in length (SAIKIA, U et al. 2011: 1640). ETYMOLOGY: No autochthonous, indigenous or locally known name has been identified for this bat location, which bat spotters interpreted as a cave and called Gambhar Bridge (SAIKIA, U et al. 2011: 1640) because it is far from a bridge across the Gambhar River (note 1). 3 km upstream of Gambhar Bridge, Solan District. SITUATION: In an unidentified setting in the Siwalik Hills and 3 km upstream of Gambhar Bridge, Solan District (SAIKIA, U et al. 2011: 1640). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2011: A natural cave approximately 8 m in length (SAIKIA, U et al. 2011: 1640). CAVE LIFE -- Chiroptera (bats): A colony of the fulvous fruit bat (Pteropodidae: Rousettus leschenaultii Desmarest 1820) … was located in a natural cave approximately 8 m in length on the bank of a stream (Gambhar) in Solan District. At the end of May, around 250 individuals were seen roosting inside the cave. On entering the cave, a strong smll of fermenting fruit was detected. Probably this smell emanated from undigested or partly digested fruit pulps regurgitated by the bats and scattered over the cave floor. … The bats were observed to be very noisy and some individuals kept flying from one place to another in the cave at all times. A few individuals were caught by setting a mist net in front of the cave mouth and then disturbing the colony but most of them were able to avoid the net by deft manoeuvring. … However, it was not clear whether echolocation had any role in avoidance of the mist nets set in front of the cave. It was noted that all the captured adult individuals were females while one was a juvenile male (FA-68 mm and incomplete dentition). Whether this indicates the existence of a maternal colony is not clear because the juvenile did not appear to be a dependent young. However, sexual segregation in this species had been reported in Madhya Pradesh during March, June and July (Khajuria 1979). Local people reprted that the bats do not use the cave site during winter but reappear in spring … (SAIKIA, U et al. 2011: 1640-1641).rted that the bats do not use the cave site during winter but reappear in spring … (SAIKIA, U et al. 2011: 1640-1641).