Which types of bats eat fruit?

Within the order of bats, there has been a significant adaptive radiation of food habits, with many species evolving to consume fruit. These frugivorous (fruit-eating) bats primarily belong to two groups:1

• Megachiroptera (Old World fruit bats): This group, which includes the flying foxes, has generally maintained a fruit-eating habit. They are widely distributed across Africa, Southeast Asia, and Australia. While most rely on fruit, some have specialized to feed on nectar and pollen, such as the long-tongued fruit bats.123
• Phyllostomidae (New World leaf-nosed bats): This large Neotropical family is highly diverse in its feeding habits. Within this group, there are specific lineages specialized to feed on fruit, as well as nectar, insects, and small vertebrates.13

Frugivorous bats typically target fruits that are green or brown, often possessing a sour or musky odor, and which are either borne directly on the wood of a tree or hang away from the main foliage. By consuming these fruits, bats play a vital role in seed dispersal within their ecosystems.3