Chiropterophily - Pollination by Bats: Definition, Examples, Diagram, Examples

There are many flowers that are pollinated by nectar- and pollen-eating bats. These plants have evolved special features to make themselves attractive to the nocturnal bats. Such plants are called chiropterophilous, or “bat-loving” (bats are the mammals of the order Chiroptera). The overall process is known as chiropterophily.

This Story also Contains

1. What is Chiropterophily?
2. Understanding Chiropterophily
3. Anatomy and Behaviour of Pollinating Bats
4. Characteristics of Chiropterophilous Flowers
5. Mechanism of Bat Pollination
6. MCQs on Chiropterophily
7. Recommended video on "Chiropterophily"

Plants cater to their pollinators with large, white flowers, which can be spotted easily at night. The flowers generally have a fermented or musky odour, and they tend to open after sunset, just as bats leave their nest to feed. These bat-pollinated flowers are shaped like a vase to accommodate the bat during pollination, although some are flat and brushy in order to load a bat’s whiskers with pollen. Chiropterophily is an important topic in the field of biology.

What is Chiropterophily?

Chiropterophily is the pollination by bats and means that plants receive their pollen from a bat source. This is vital in many ecosystems because it is an assurance that a good number of plant species get to reproduce, namely plants that are night-blooming, as bats are out foraging at this time.

Pollination, among the many known ecosystem services, helps maintain genetic diversity and reproductive success. This allows the formation of stable and productive ecosystems. These mechanisms of pollination are either biotic, where they include insects, birds, and bats, or abiotic agents of pollination, through wind and water. Each of these occurs in its unique ways: by moving the pollen grains from one plant to another, pollination allows the plants to be fertilised and hence to produce seeds and fruits.

Also Read:

• Entomophily

• Difference Between Self-Pollination and Cross-Pollination

• Difference Between Pollination And Fertilization

Understanding Chiropterophily

Chiropterophily is the process of pollination by bats, primarily seen in tropical and subtropical flowering plants. It involves a mutual relationship where bats receive nectar, and flowers benefit from pollen transfer. Chiropterophily is explained below-

Definition and Significance

Chiropterophily is referred to as the pollination of plants by bats. Such a mode of pollination is significant for the support of biodiversity and ecosystems through the dissemination of a variety of plant species. In most cases, the plants, which are bat-pollinated, also happen to be in places where the numbers of other pollinators are meagre or even absent, further emphasising the ecological importance of chiropterophily.

Historical Background of Bat Pollination Studies

The research into chiropterophily, or bat pollination, has characterised the early 20th century and continues today. From the first observations of how bats aided plant reproduction to mutualistic interactions among nocturnal plants and their bat. With time, this has moved to investigate various species of bats and plants and diversified ecosystems.

Key Characteristics of Chiropterophilous Plants

Plants relying on bats for pollination usually have some features in common. Most of the time, the flowers are large and robust enough to carry the weight of bats. The flowers are generally night-opening since bats are nocturnal animals, and they produce a potent, musky smell that helps to attract them from a distance.

Anatomy and Behaviour of Pollinating Bats

Pollinating bats typically have long snouts, brush-tipped tongues, and keen nocturnal senses that help them locate and feed from flowers rich in nectar at night. The anatomy and behaviour of bats are explained below-

Overview of Bat Species Involved in Pollination

Different bat species, mainly of the families Phyllostomidae and Pteropodidae, have been associated with pollination activities. These bats occur in the tropics and subtropics, where they get nectar and pollen as their food.

Physical Adaptations for Pollination

Many pollinating bats have long tongues that extend into flower parts, allowing them to reach deep flowers that are inaccessible to other animals for nectar. This is very often an important adaptation that would allow for the successful feeding of nectar and the transfer of pollen.

Some bats have specialised fur that allows for the retention of pollen in places around their faces and necks. This fur, as they move from one flower to another, transfers the pollen in the process of plant pollination.

Behavioural Patterns

Behavioural traits that define pollinating bats include nocturnal behaviour; most of the individuals or species are active at night. It forms part of the behaviour since the flowers that are chiropterophilous bloom at night and emit perfume in the evening to attract bats.

Most of the bats involved in pollination have feeding behaviours that range from hovering close to the flowers to perching on the flowers while consuming nectar. These feeding behaviours allow efficient collection and transfer of pollen as bats move from one flower to another.

Characteristics of Chiropterophilous Flowers

These flowers are usually large, dull-colored (whitish or greenish), have a strong fruity or musky odour, and produce copious nectar and pollen to attract bats. The characteristics are explained below-

Structural Adaptations

Chiropterophilous flowers are usually large and robust to withstand the handling of bats. They have open structures to allow for easy access to the nectar.

Usually, these flowers have sturdy structures where a bat can perch without collapsing. The funnel shape-often bowl-shape, of the flower helps the bats to feed properly and allows efficient pollen transfer.

Colour and Scent

Bat-pollinated flowers are typically white or light yellow. These hues are bright in the dark and thus assist the bat to recognise them a long way since its vision is not that sharp.

To attract the bat at long range, chiropterophilous flowers are strongly scented and frequently musky. As already stated, bats are nocturnal animals; this scent helps attract the bats towards the flower.

Timing of Blooming

Chiropterophilous flowers are mostly nocturnal bloomers. This is the active time for their bat pollinators. The flowers' opening times are determined by the hours that the bats are available to them, seeking nectar.

Nutritional Rewards

The flowers have high nectar production to attract and reward their bat pollinators. High nectar will make every bat visit an energy gain called Chiroptophilia and maintain it at that time, hence making them pollinators.

Mechanism of Bat Pollination

As bats feed on nectar, their heads or bodies brush against the stamens and stigmas, transferring pollen from one flower to another, facilitating cross-pollination. The mechanism is described below-

Bat-Plant Interactions

The relationship between the bats and chiropterophilous plants is symbiosis. The bats consume the nectar of the flowers, and simultaneously, the plants are cross-pollinated through the movement of bats from one place to another.

Pollen Transfer Process

During feeding, the pollen attaches to the bodies of the bats. When the bats come closer to other flowers, the pollen is left behind, leading to complete fertilisation and the seed process. This mechanism ensures the diversity of genes and, therefore, the survival of plant species

MCQs on Chiropterophily

Q1. Which of the following is a type of pollination in which the flowers are adapted to be pollinated by bats?

Option 1: Chiropterophily

Option 2: Hydrophily

Option 3: Anemophily

Option 4: Entomophily

Correct answer: (1) Chiropterophily

Explanation:

Chiropterophily is a form of pollination where flowers are adapted for bat pollination. Bat-pollinated flowers are typically large, sturdy, and pale-colored, making them more visible at night. They often emit a strong, musky fragrance to attract bats and produce abundant nectar as a reward. These flowers are usually bell-shaped or cup-shaped, allowing bats to access nectar while transferring pollen. Examples of chiropterophilous plants include banana (Musa), baobab (Adansonia), agave (Agave), and kapok (Ceiba pentandra). Bats play a crucial role in pollination, especially in tropical and desert ecosystems, where they help maintain plant diversity and reproduction.

Hence, the correct answer is option 1) Chiropterophily

Q2. Which of the following is an example of a plant that exhibits chiropterophily?

Option 1: Orchids

Option 2: Sunflowers

Option 3: Roses

Option 4: Daisies

Correct answer: (1) Orchids

Explanation:

Many orchids exhibit chiropterophily, as they produce a strong, fruity odour and have a deep and narrow corolla that accommodates the long tongues of bats.

Hence, the correct answer is Option (1) Orchids

Q3. Which of the following is not a characteristic of chiropterophilous flowers?

Option 1: Producing large amounts of pollen

Option 2: Producing a strong, fruity odour

Option 3: Being white or pale-coloured

Option 4: Having a deep and narrow corolla

Correct answer: (1) Producing large amounts of pollen

Explanation:

Chiropterophilous flowers usually produce a strong, fruity odour, are white or pale-coloured, and have a deep and narrow corolla to accommodate the long tongues of bats. They do not produce large amounts of pollen as they are adapted to be pollinated by bats which do not require as much pollen as insects.

Hence, the correct answer is Option (1) Producing large amounts of pollen

Read more:

Recommended video on "Chiropterophily"