When it comes to pollination, most of us immediately think of nectar-gathering bees fluttering between bright flowers in sunlight. But in reality, this process is much more diverse and interesting. In addition to bees, many other creatures participate in pollen transfer, including — butterflies, flies, beetles, birds, some rodents, lizards and even... bats.
Yes, these nocturnal creatures, which we are used to associating with darkness and myths, play a key role in the life of more than 500 species of flowering plants.
кажани виду Leptonycteris yerbabuenae - головні нічні запилювачі агав у Мексиці та південному заході США
Who else, besides bees, pollinates plants?
The pollination world is multifaceted. Here is a list of the main pollinators:
Bees <TAG1> is the most famous and effective pollinators. They specially "collect" pollen.
Butterflies and moths <TAG1> take out nectar with their long proboscis and often carry pollen between flowers.
Flies <TAG1> especially lump flies (syrphids) that resemble bees.
Beetles <TAG1> is one of the oldest pollinators, although not always "neat" in this matter.
Birds <TAG1> for example, hummingbirds or honeypots in Australia pollinating bright flowers with deep glasses.
Small mammals <TAG1> nectar-feeding mice, opossums and lemurs.
Bats <TAG1> special night pollinators that we will talk about in more detail.
птах з родини Колібрієві (або коліброві)
How do bats pollinate plants?
The process in which bats carry pollen is called cyropterophilia (from the Greek. cheir <TAG1> hand and pteron <TAG1> wing). The most active pollinators among bats are representatives of the genera Glossophaga, Leptonycteris, Anoura and some others. They have elongated muzzles, long tongues and a specialized skull structure —, all adapted to nourishing with nectar.
Bats fly at night, orienting themselves with the help of echolocation, and pollinate flowers that bloom precisely in the dark. These flowers are usually:
large and open (so that it is convenient to fly up),
they have a strong smell (attract bats),
often light in color (better visible at night),
produce a lot of nectar.
The most famous examples of plants that pollinate bats:
Agave <TAG1> in particular, Agave tequilana, from which tequila is made.
Cacti <TAG1> such as Saguaro in the deserts of North America.
Baobabs <TAG1> in Africa.
Some types of bananas <TAG1> wild varieties.
плантація блакитної агави
Why is this important?
Bats provide genetic diversity plants, preserve the health of ecosystems and even support entire industries —, for example, the production of tequila. Due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change, the number of bats is declining, endangering not only the animals themselves, but also the plants that depend on them.
