Bat Activity and Pollination of Bauhinia Pauletia: Plant‐Pollinator Coevolution

Abstract

The relationship between the pollination biology of a tropical plant, Bauhinia pauletia, and the foraging strategies of the nectarivorous bats visiting it was studied. At least two bat species are pollen vectors, Phyllostomus discolor and Glossophaga soricina. Artibeus jamaicensis and Sturnira lilium were also captured near Bauhinia flowers. Larger bats (P. discolor) drain flowers of nectar and forage in groups, while smaller bats (G. soricina) make brief visits and forage independently. These foraging strategies should optimize energetic gain for the bats and promote outcrossing for the plant. Bauhinia pauletia is self—compatible, but is found where conditions favor outcrossing. Andromonoecism(the preence of hermaphrodite and male flowers) in this species appears to be anadaptation to pollination by large pollinators that also promote outcrossing.