An experimental analysis of feeding performance in Syconycteris australis (Megachiroptera, Pteropodidae)
Creator
Nicolay C W; Dumont E R
Publisher
Mammalia
Date
2000
2000
Description
The hypothesis that flower shape affects nectar-feeding performance was examined for the nectarivorous bat, Syconycteris australis. Experiments using feeders with artificial flowers of different diameters demonstrated that the narrow flower diameter had a negative effect on time spent feeding, amount of nectar taken, and rate of nectar extraction. These results suggest that flower morphology may influence both evolution of the masticatory system and resource partitioning by affecting feeding performance in flower-visiting bats.