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Fruit bats provide vital ecosystem services through seed dispersal aiding secondary forest regeneration. However, fruit bat species are often persecuted by fruit-growing farmers due to perceived and actual crop damage. In this study, we investigated the dietary components of Epomophorous wahlbergi, Epomophorous crypturus and Rousettus aegyptiacus, which are the three fruit bat species commonly found in litchi orchards and surrounding natural habitats in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. We further explored the contribution of fruit bats to seed dispersal and germination success. Fruit bat diet was dominated by wild fruit species (95%), while commercial fruit contributed little (2%) to their diet, even during the litchi harvest season. Fig seeds (Ficus spp.) collected from captured bats as spit outs had significantly lower germination rates than regular seeds, but a significantly lower germination latency. A similar pattern was observed for quinine trees (Rauvolfia caffra). Our results suggest that fruit bats inhabiting orchards and surrounding natural vegetation feed primarily on wild fruit trees, probably modulated by the high percentage of natural vegetation still found in our study area, supporting the importance of natural habitats in mitigating crop damage. We encourage further work on potential disservices by fruit bats and their habitat use. Keywords: agriculture, bat diet, habitat use, litchis, seed dispersal, seed germination

Abstract Over 84% of the river ecosystems in South Africa are threatened and, accordingly freshwater dependent species such as the Cape clawless otter (Aonyx capensis) and the water mongoose (Atilax paludinosus) are also declining in numbers. These species share a similar diet and habitat preference and in certain places in South Africa it is known that they occur in sympatry. Our study focused on a pristine river system in the far western Soutpansberg where little is known about the local distribution and habitat preferences of these species. To determine the distribution and fine scale habitat preferences of otters and water mongooses, tracks and signs (TS) and camera traps were used, and spraint content analysed to establish differences in diet. Based on the TS that were found, the Cape clawless otter and water mongoose are both widely distributed along the river system and mostly occur separate from each other. The observed amount of TS of Cape clawless otters was higher in areas with pools, rocky riverbanks and areas with a stream width of 2 - >5 m in diameter. The number of water mongoose TS recorded was higher in wetland areas with leafy riverbanks and areas with a stream width of up to 2 m. We suggest that Cape clawless otters and water mongooses may avoid direct competition by habitat partitioning in the western Soutpansberg. Keywords: Camera traps, mountain range, Limpopo Province, spraints, niche separation&nbsp