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Medina-Bello KI, Vázquez-Fuerte R, Ayala-Berdon J. The big brown bat ( Eptesicus fuscus) reduces its body mass during winter in a tropical montane ecosystem of central Mexico. MAMMALIA 2022. [DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2022-0031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Most animals face changes in the availability of food and the environmental conditions in the places where they live. In response, they need to adjust their behavioral, physiological, and morphological traits. In temperate zones and high latitudes, bats increase their body mass (M
b
) in autumn to store fat reserves and use them during hibernation. However, other small mammals decrease their M
b
prior to winter to reduce the energetic requirements of individuals. These changes are unknown for bats inhabiting other highly energetic demanding environments. We measured changes in M
b
of 84 non-reproductive males of Eptesicus fuscus inhabiting a tropical montane ecosystem in central Mexico over seasons. We also examined the relationship of bats’ M
b
with the minimum ambient temperature (T
a
, °C) and mean precipitation (mm). Bats presented an increase in M
b
from March to June, followed by a decrease from September to November and presented the lowest M
b
from November to March, in the dry-cold season. The results suggest that the pattern of changes in M
b
could be the result of two non-exclusive components related to the bats’ energy budget, the energetic demands experienced by the bats throughout the year and the morphological adaptations animals could display to reduce their energy requirements during the winter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin I. Medina-Bello
- Doctorado en Ciencias Biológicas , Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala , código postal 90062 , Tlaxcala de Xicohténcatl , Mexico
| | - Rommy Vázquez-Fuerte
- Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Unidad Morelia , Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México , apartado postal 58089 , Morelia , Michoacán , Mexico
| | - Jorge Ayala-Berdon
- CONACYT , Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala , código postal 90062 , Tlaxcala de Xicohténcatl , Mexico
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Ortega-García S, Ferreyra-García D, Schondube JE. Gut reaction! Neotropical nectar-feeding bats responses to direct and indirect costs of extreme environmental temperatures. J Comp Physiol B 2020; 190:655-667. [PMID: 32601952 DOI: 10.1007/s00360-020-01288-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
One of the consequences of anthropogenic climate change is an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. These events have caused mass mortality of different species of wildlife, including bats. In this study, we exposed two species of neotropical nectar-feeding bats that live in contrasting environmental conditions (A. geoffroyi and L. yerbabuenae) to extreme high and low temperatures while offering them diets with different energy content. This experimental approach allowed us to determine their thermal and behavioral responses, and to identify environmental conditions that impose high physiologic costs to these species. To determine how bats' responded, we monitored both changes in their body masses and skin temperatures. Both bat species responded differently, with L. yerbabuenae spending more time in normothermia at high temperatures than A. geoffroyi. While both species presented torpor, they used it differently. Torpor allowed A. geoffroyi to maintain and increase body mass at intermediate and low ambient temperatures. At the same time, L. yerbabuenae used torpor only when facing cold ambient temperatures and low-quality food. Understanding the mechanisms that allow species to face changes in their environment is essential given the current climate trends and the fact that the loss of these species could have significant negative consequences in tropical and subtropical ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Ortega-García
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Antigua carretera a Pátzcuaro No. 8701 Col Ex hacienda San José de la Huerta, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
| | - Daniel Ferreyra-García
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Antigua carretera a Pátzcuaro No. 8701 Col Ex hacienda San José de la Huerta, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
| | - Jorge E Schondube
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Antigua carretera a Pátzcuaro No. 8701 Col Ex hacienda San José de la Huerta, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico.
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3
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Herrera M LG, Esnard H BF, Margarita Sánchez L, Mancina G CA. Salt has contrasting effects on the digestive processing of dilute nectar by two Neotropical nectarivorous bats. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2019; 240:110619. [PMID: 31751765 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2019.110619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2019] [Revised: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Nectarivorous vertebrates might include sugar-dilute nectar in their diet and they are expected to undergo compensatory feeding. However, physiological constraints might limit the intake of sugar-dilute nectar, affecting energy budgets. Among other physiological processes, the limiting role of osmoregulation is supported by enhanced intake rate of dilute sugar solutions by avian nectarivores when salt is added. We tested if the Greater Antillean Long-tongued bat (Monophyllus redmani) and the Brown flower bat (Erophylla sezekorni) compensated energy intake when fed dilute-sugar solutions (2.5 and 5% sucrose), and if salt content (11, 20 and 40 mM NaCl l-1) modulated the intake rate of these solutions. Both species were unable to compensate intake of solutions with varying sugar densities, and energy intake on the 2.5 and 5% diets was lower than on the most concentrated diets (10, 20 and 30% sucrose). Both species responded differently to the addition of salt. Salt addition did not affect the intake of 2.5% sugar solutions by the Greater Antillean Long-tongued bat, and it decreased the intake of 5% sugar solutions. In contrast, the Brown flower bat increased the intake of 2.5 and 5% sugar solutions when salt was added. Intake responses to varying sugar densities of our two focal species and that of other bat species previously studied indicate that they are not uniform and that they might be modulated by digestive and osmoregulatory physiological traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Gerardo Herrera M
- Estación de Biología de Chamela, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 21, San Patricio, Jalisco, 48980, Mexico.
| | - Beatriz F Esnard H
- Centro de Investigaciones y Servicios Ambientales, Calle 18 S/N entre 1ra y Maceo, Reparto El Llano, Holguín 80100, Cuba
| | - L Margarita Sánchez
- Centro Oriental de Ecosistemas y Biodiversidad, BIOECO, José A. Saco 601, Santiago de Cuba 90100, Cuba
| | - Carlos A Mancina G
- Centro Nacional de Biodiversidad, Instituto de Ecología y Sistemática, Carretera Varona 11835, Municipio Boyeros, La Habana, 11900, Cuba
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4
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Seasonal intake responses could reflect digestive plasticity in the nectar-feeding bat Anoura geoffroyi. Mamm Biol 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2018.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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5
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Cruzblanca-Castro M, Martínez-Gómez M, Ayala-Berdon J. Food processing does not affect energy intake in the nectar-feeding bat Anoura geoffroyi. Mamm Biol 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2017.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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6
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Ortega-García S, Guevara L, Arroyo-Cabrales J, Lindig-Cisneros R, Martínez-Meyer E, Vega E, Schondube JE. The thermal niche of Neotropical nectar-feeding bats: Its evolution and application to predict responses to global warming. Ecol Evol 2017; 7:6691-6701. [PMID: 28904751 PMCID: PMC5587449 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2016] [Revised: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The thermal niche of a species is one of the main determinants of its ecology and biogeography. In this study, we determined the thermal niche of 23 species of Neotropical nectar-feeding bats of the subfamily Glossophaginae (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae). We calculated their thermal niches using temperature data obtained from collection records, by generating a distribution curve of the maximum and minimum temperatures per locality, and using the inflection points of the temperature distributions to estimate the species optimal (STZ) and suboptimal (SRZ) zones of the thermal niche. Additionally, by mapping the values of the STZ and SRZ on a phylogeny of the group, we generated a hypothesis of the evolution of the thermal niches of this clade of nectar-feeding bats. Finally, we used the characteristics of their thermal niches to predict the responses of these organisms to climate change. We found a large variation in the width and limits of the thermal niches of nectar-feeding bats. Additionally, while the upper limits of the thermal niches varied little among species, their lower limits differ wildly. The ancestral reconstruction of the thermal niche indicated that this group of Neotropical bats evolved under cooler temperatures. The two clades inside the Glossophaginae differ in the evolution of their thermal niches, with most members of the clade Choeronycterines evolving "colder" thermal niches, while the majority of the species in the clade Glossophagines evolving "warmer" thermal niches. By comparing thermal niches with climate change models, we found that all species could be affected by an increase of 1°C in temperature at the end of this century. This suggests that even nocturnal species could suffer important physiological costs from global warming. Our study highlights the value of scientific collections to obtain ecologically significant physiological data for a large number of species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Ortega-García
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Coyoacán, Ciudad de México México.,Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Morelia Michoacán México
| | - Lázaro Guevara
- Departamento de Biología Evolutiva Facultad de Ciencias Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Ciudad de México México
| | | | - Roberto Lindig-Cisneros
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Morelia Michoacán México
| | - Enrique Martínez-Meyer
- Instituto de Biología Departamento de Zoología Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Coyoacán, Ciudad de México México
| | - Ernesto Vega
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Morelia Michoacán México
| | - Jorge E Schondube
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Morelia Michoacán México
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7
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Ayala-Berdon J, Vázquez-Fuerte R, Beamonte-Barrientos R, Schondube JE. Effect of diet quality and ambient temperature on the use of torpor by two species of neotropical nectar-feeding bats. J Exp Biol 2017; 220:920-929. [PMID: 28250178 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.142422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 12/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Neotropical bats use torpor as a strategy to save energy when they experience a low energy intake and/or low ambient temperature (Ta). Digestive physiology limits the energy intake of several glossophaginid bats, and could play an important role in the onset of torpor in these tropical animals. We measured the effect that diet quality and Ta had on the use of torpor by the nectar-feeding bats Glossophaga soricina and Leptonycteris yerbabuenae Captive bats were fed with 5% (low) or 35% (high) sucrose solutions while exposed to two different Ta (17.7 and 23.2°C; low Ta and high Ta) in four different treatments: (1) high sucrose:high Ta, (2) high sucrose:low Ta, (3) low sucrose:high Ta and (4) low sucrose:low Ta We measured their energy intake, changes in body mass (ΔMb) and skin temperature (Tskin) as response variables. Energy intake (in 10 h) was limited when both species fed on 5% sucrose, but body mass gain was only affected in G. soricina. Energy intake and Ta had a negative effect on the minimum Tskin of both species, and ΔMb affected the time that G. soricina used torpor. Both species remained normothermic on the high sucrose:high Ta treatment, but used torpor on the other three treatments. Bats used torpor during their resting and activity periods. Leptonycteris yerbabuenae spent more time in torpor in the low sucrose:high Ta treatment, while G. soricina used this strategy for longer periods of time in the high sucrose:low Ta treatment. We found that diet quality and Ta played an important role in the use of torpor by nectar-feeding bats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Ayala-Berdon
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 27-3 (Xangari), Morelia, Michoacán 58089, México .,CONACYT, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, 90062 Tlaxcala de Xicohténcatl, México
| | - Rommy Vázquez-Fuerte
- Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores Morelia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 58089 Morelia, Michoacán, México
| | | | - Jorge E Schondube
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 27-3 (Xangari), Morelia, Michoacán 58089, México
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8
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Avila-Cabadilla LD, Stoner KE, Nassar JM, Espírito-Santo MM, Alvarez-Añorve MY, Aranguren CI, Henry M, González-Carcacía JA, Dolabela Falcão LA, Sanchez-Azofeifa GA. Phyllostomid bat occurrence in successional stages of neotropical dry forests. PLoS One 2014; 9:e84572. [PMID: 24404175 PMCID: PMC3880304 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0084572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2013] [Accepted: 11/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Tropical dry forests (TDFs) are highly endangered tropical ecosystems being replaced by a complex mosaic of patches of different successional stages, agricultural fields and pasturelands. In this context, it is urgent to understand how taxa playing critical ecosystem roles respond to habitat modification. Because Phyllostomid bats provide important ecosystem services (e.g. facilitate gene flow among plant populations and promote forest regeneration), in this study we aimed to identify potential patterns on their response to TDF transformation in sites representing four different successional stages (initial, early, intermediate and late) in three Neotropical regions: México, Venezuela and Brazil. We evaluated bat occurrence at the species, ensemble (abundance) and assemblage level (species richness and composition, guild composition). We also evaluated how bat occurrence was modulated by the marked seasonality of TDFs. In general, we found high seasonal and regional specificities in phyllostomid occurrence, driven by specificities at species and guild levels. For example, highest frugivore abundance occurred in the early stage of the moistest TDF, while highest nectarivore abundance occurred in the same stage of the driest TDF. The high regional specificity of phyllostomid responses could arise from: (1) the distinctive environmental conditions of each region, (2) the specific behavior and ecological requirements of the regional bat species, (3) the composition, structure and phenological patterns of plant assemblages in the different stages, and (4) the regional landscape composition and configuration. We conclude that, in tropical seasonal environments, it is imperative to perform long-term studies considering seasonal variations in environmental conditions and plant phenology, as well as the role of landscape attributes. This approach will allow us to identify potential patterns in bat responses to habitat modification, which constitute an invaluable tool for not only bat biodiversity conservation but also for the conservation of the key ecological processes they provide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Daniel Avila-Cabadilla
- Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Unidad Morelia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Morelia, México
- Centro de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Morelia, México
| | - Kathryn Elizabeth Stoner
- Centro de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Morelia, México
- Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Jafet M. Nassar
- Centro de Ecología, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas Altos de Pipe, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Mario M. Espírito-Santo
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Carla I. Aranguren
- Centro de Ecología, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas Altos de Pipe, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Mickael Henry
- INRA (Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique), UR 406 Abeilles & Environnement, Site Agroparc, Avignon, France
| | - José A. González-Carcacía
- Centro de Ecología, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas Altos de Pipe, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Luiz A. Dolabela Falcão
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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9
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A review of the energetics of pollination biology. J Comp Physiol B 2013; 183:867-76. [DOI: 10.1007/s00360-013-0760-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2013] [Accepted: 04/23/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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10
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Digestive capacities allow the Mexican long-nosed bat (Leptonycteris nivalis) to live in cold environments. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2013; 164:622-8. [PMID: 23370293 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2013.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2012] [Revised: 01/15/2013] [Accepted: 01/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Digestive capabilities of nectar-feeding vertebrates to assimilate sugars affect their ability to acquire and store energy and could determine the minimal temperatures at which these animals can survive. Here, we described the sugar digestive capability of Leptonycteris nivalis and related it with its capacity to live in cold environments. We measured the enzymatic activity, food intake rate and changes in body mass of bats feeding at four different sucrose concentrations (from 5 to 35% wt./vol.). Additionally, we used a mathematical model to predict food intake and compared it with the food intake of bats. L. nivalis was able to obtain ~111.3kJ of energy regardless of the sugar concentration of their food. Also, bats gained ~2.57g of mass during the experimental trials and this gain was independent of sugar concentration. The affinity (1/Km) of sucrase (EC 3.2.1.48) was one order of magnitude higher relative to that reported for its sister species Leptonycteris yerbabuenae (0.250 and 0.0189mmol(-1)L, respectively), allowing this species to have a higher energy intake rate. We propose that the high ability to acquire energy conferred L. nivalis the faculty to invade cold environments, avoiding in this way the ecological competition with its sympatric species L. yerbabuenae.
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11
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Coleman JC, Downs CT. The sweet side of life: nectar sugar type and concentration preference in Wahlberg's epauletted fruit bat. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2012; 162:431-6. [PMID: 22575606 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2012.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2012] [Revised: 04/24/2012] [Accepted: 04/24/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Whether nectarivores or frugivores place selective pressure on the plants they feed on, in terms of nectar or fruit traits, is much debated. Globally sugar preferences, concentration preference and digestive ability of avian nectarivores have been extensively researched. In contrast, relatively little is known about mammalian nectarivores or frugivores in terms of these, particularly Old World species. Consequently effect of sugar type and concentration on food preference in Wahlberg's epauletted fruit bat Epomophorus wahlbergi was investigated. Pair-wise choice tests were conducted using equicaloric hexose and sucrose solutions at five different concentrations (5%-25%). It was expected that they would prefer hexose sugars as these are dominant in available indigenous fruits. However, bats preferred hexoses only when offered dilute (5%) concentrations. From 10% to 25% they showed a decrease in volume intake. Their body mass was generally higher and similar after feeding during the night with the exception of 5% concentration where the mean body mass decreased. When E. wahlbergi were offered a range of sucrose or hexose solutions (10%-25%) respectively, they showed no concentration preference in terms of total volume consumed, nor energy intake. These findings suggest that these fruit bats do not appear to act as a selective pressure on sugar composition in Old World fruit. In fruit bats with high energy requirements, dietary flexibility may be an advantage when faced with seasonal and unpredictable fruit availability.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Coleman
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P/Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa.
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12
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Downs CT, Mqokeli B, Singh P. Sugar assimilation and digestive efficiency in Wahlberg's epauletted fruit bat (Epomophorus wahlbergi). Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2012; 161:344-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2011.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2011] [Revised: 12/05/2011] [Accepted: 12/05/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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13
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Ayala-Berdon J, Schondube JE. A physiological perspective on nectar-feeding adaptation in phyllostomid bats. Physiol Biochem Zool 2011; 84:458-66. [PMID: 21897083 DOI: 10.1086/661541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Nectar-feeding animals increase their food intake when nectar sugar concentration decreases. However, some species present physiological constraints that limit their energy intake when nectar is diluted. We hypothesized that gut capacities of bats affect the ability of these animals to acquire and store energy, modifying how they use food resources in the field. We measured the food intake and changes in body mass of the members of an assemblage of nectar-feeding bats (Choeronycteris mexicana, Leptonycteris yerbabuenae, and Glossophaga soricina) feeding on sucrose solutions of different concentrations (146, 292, 438, 584, 730, 876, and 1,022 mmol L(-1)). The three bat species presented differences in their food intake and their capacity to store energy. While C. mexicana was able to maintain a constant energy intake at all concentrations tested, G. soricina and L. yerbabuenae decreased their sugar/energy intake at the lowest sugar concentrations. Choeronycteris mexicana also increased body mass independent of sugar concentration, while G. soricina and L. yerbabuenae did not. On the basis of our results, we generated a model relating gut capacities and the use of food resources in the field. Our model's predictions and field data support the idea that digestive traits affect the way these animals use the food resources present in their environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Ayala-Berdon
- Centro de Investigaciónes en Ecosistemas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 27-3 (Xangari), 58089 Morelia, Michoacán, México
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14
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Ayala-Berdon J, Rodríguez-Peña N, Orduña-Villaseñor M, Stoner KE, Kelm DH, Schondube JE. Foraging behavior adjustments related to changes in nectar sugar concentration in phyllostomid bats. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2011; 160:143-8. [PMID: 21664982 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2011.05.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2011] [Revised: 05/18/2011] [Accepted: 05/20/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Nectar-feeding bats regulate their food ingestion in response to changes in sugar concentration as a way to achieve a constant energy intake. However, their digestive capability to assimilate sugars can limit their total energy intake, particularly when sugar concentration in nectar is low. Our experimental study evaluated the effect that changes in sugar concentration of nectar have on the foraging behavior of the nectar-feeding bats Glossophaga soricina and Leptonycteris yerbabuenae in captivity. We measured foraging behavior and food intake when bats fed at different concentrations of sucrose (5, 15, 25 and 35%wt/vol.). To compensate for low-energy intake, both bat species reduced their flight time, and increased feeding time when sugar concentration decreased. Our results suggest that nectar-feeding bats in nature confront two scenarios with complementary ecological effects: 1) bats feeding on dilute nectars (i.e. ≤15%wt/vol.) should increase the number of flowers visited per night enhancing pollination, and 2) bats feeding on concentrated nectars could spend more time flying, including long- and short-distance-flights increasing food patch exploration for use during subsequent nights, and thus enhancing plant gene flow. Further studies on foraging behavior of nectarivorous bats under natural conditions are necessary to corroborate these hypotheses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Ayala-Berdon
- Centro de Investigaciónes en Ecosistemas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Antigua Carretera a Pátzcuaro No. 8701 C.P. 58190, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico.
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