Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]

Alternative Title

Repartición de recursos y el nicho de diferenciación de los murciélagos nectarívoros en un bosque nuboso de Monteverde

Creator

D. Morris Cohen

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Publication Date

May 2003

Abstract

Plant-pollinator interactions are an important part of tropical ecosystem function and diversity. In this paper, I present the results of a month-long study comparing the three nectarivorous Phylostomid bat species, Anoura geoffroyi, Glossophaga commissarisi, and Hylonycteris underwoodi, and the their plant resource base within the cloud forest of Monteverde, Costa Rica. Bats were mistnetted, and their pollen loads were removed and later measured for richness, abundance, and diversity. The extent of Niche overlap between the three species was also assessed. I found G. commissarisi to carry the most diverse pollen loads (H'=0.648) and to also have the most consistent floral visitation patterns. Pollen load analysis revealed similar visitation patterns for the morphologically analogous H. underwoodi, and different patterns for the larger and more distinct A. geoffroyi. Niche overlap was high between H. underwoodi and G. commissarisi and low between both of these species and A. geoffroyi. Although capture rates were too low for significant conclusions regarding H. underwoodi, resource partitioning was found to occur between the other two species.

Resumen

Las interacciones entre las plantas y sus polinizadores son una parte importante de la diversidad y el funcionamiento de los ecosistemas tropicales. En este ensayo, presento los resultados de un estudio que compara tres especies de los murciélagos nectarívoros (Anoura geoffroyi, Glossophaga commissarisi, y Hylonycteris underwoodi) y su base de recursos florales en el bosque nuboso de Monteverde, Costa Rica. Se agarraron los murciélagos y se quitaron sus cargas de polen para medir la riqueza, abundancia, y diversidad del polen. El estudio demuestra que G. commissarisi lleva las cargas de polen más diversas (H’ = 0.648) y también tiene patrones de visitación de flores más consistentes. El análisis de las cargas de polen también reveló que los patrones de visitación de flores son similares para la especies más parecida morfológicamente H. underwoodi, y patrones diferentes para la especies más grande y distinta A. geoffroyi. La superposición de nicho fue grande entre H. underwoodi y G. commissarisi, y pequeño entre ellas y A. geoffroyi. Aunque las tasas de captura de H. underwoodi eran demasiado pequeños para sacar conclusiones significativas, se encontró evidencia para la partición de recursos entre las otras dos especies.

Keywords

Plants, Pollination by animals, Bats--Behavior, CIEE Spring 2003

Palabras claves

Plantas, Polinizado por animales, Murciélagos, CIEE Primavera 2003

Extent

11 pages

Geographic Location

Monteverde (Puntarenas, Costa Rica)

Holding Location

Monteverde Institute

Language

English; Spanish

Media Type

Articles

Format

Digital Only

Identifier

M39-00125

Type

Book

Resource partitioning and niche differentiation of nectarivorous bats in a Monteverde cloud forest, May 2003

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