December 6, 2012

Insect-eating bat outperforms nectar specialist as pollinator of cactus flowers




Surprising study shows complex relationships in coevolution of plants and pollinators

Of the two bat species known to visit the flowers of the cardon cactus in Baja California, one depends entirely on nectar and is highly specialized to feed from the flowers, which are adapted for pollination by bats. The other is an insect-eating bat best known for its ability to hear the footsteps of large insects and scorpions and capture them on the ground.