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Insectivorous bat pollinates columnar cactus more effectively per visit than specialized nectar bat
Winifred F Frick1, Ryan D Price, Paul A Heady
1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, USA. wfrick@ucsc.edu
The American Naturalist
|December 14, 2012
Summary
Opportunistic bats, like Antrozous pallidus, can be more effective pollinators than specialized nectar feeders. Foraging specialization does not always guarantee superior plant pollination services in mutualistic interactions.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Botany
Background:
- Plant-pollinator interactions are crucial for mutualistic relationships and ecosystem function.
- Nectar-feeding bats are important pollinators for many plant species, particularly in arid environments.
- Foraging specialization in pollinators can influence their effectiveness and the nature of plant-pollinator mutualisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare pollinator effectiveness between facultative and obligate nectar-feeding bats.
- To determine how foraging specialization influences mutualistic interactions in a bat-pollinated cactus (Pachycereus pringlei).
- To test the hypothesis that specialized nectarivores provide superior pollination services.
Main Methods:
- Comparing pollen deposition and visitation rates of two bat species (Antrozous pallidus and Leptonycteris yerbabuenae) at cactus flowers.
- Assessing pollinator effectiveness based on pollen grains delivered per visit.
- Analyzing variation in pollinator effectiveness across different sites.
Main Results:
- The opportunistic bat, Antrozous pallidus, delivered significantly more pollen grains per visit than the specialized Leptonycteris yerbabuenae.
- Pollinator effectiveness varied between bat species and by site.
- Despite less frequent visits, A. pallidus demonstrated higher pollen deposition per visit, indicating effective pollination.
Conclusions:
- Morphological adaptations and dietary specialization do not necessarily confer pollination advantages.
- Less specialized plant visitors can be highly effective pollinators.
- Mutualisms are characterized by reciprocal exploitation, where partners may not always provide optimal services.
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