First record of bat-pollination in Merremia (Convolvulaceae)

Area of Science:

• Botany
• Ecology
• Evolutionary Biology

Background:

• Vertebrate pollinators, including bats and birds, are crucial for angiosperm cross-pollination.
• Merremia platyphylla (Convolvulaceae) displays floral traits suggestive of bat pollination (chiropterophily).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate Merremia platyphylla's nectar traits, volatile organic compounds, and pollination system.
• To determine if floral characteristics align with chiropterophily and if bats are the most effective pollinators.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of nectar production and composition.
• Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for volatile organic compound profiling.
• Pollination experiments to assess pollinator effectiveness and mating system.

Main Results:

• Bats were identified as effective pollinators of M. platyphylla.
• Diurnal pollinators, likely hummingbirds, also contributed to pollination, while honeybees did not.
• Nectar production and volatile compounds showed partial alignment with chiropterophily syndrome.

Conclusions:

• Merremia platyphylla is effectively pollinated by bats, representing the first record of bat pollination and associated floral volatiles in the Merremieae tribe.
• The species may be in a mixed pollination state or transitioning towards specialized bat pollination due to a generalized system and trait mismatches.