Pollen Carrying by the Nectar-Feeding Bat Glossophaga soricina in a Suburban Environment

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Abstract
Five species of plants were visited by nectar-feeding bats G. soricina in a suburban study area in Colombia. Pollen from these 5 and 2 other species was transaported regularly on the hair of 5 marked bats during the wet and dry seasons. Of 234 samples collected from G. soricina, 153 (65.4%) were positive for pollen and 74 of the 153 (48.4%) contained pollen from Agave desmettiana (Agavaceae). Most samples containing pollen were collected from the top of the head and neck (29.4%) and upperback (29.8%) of Glossophaga. Pollen was placed on the dorsal surface of bats by flowers of Cresscentia cujete (Bignoniaceae) and Thunbergia grandiflora (Acanthaceae) and on all surface areas by flowers of A. desmettiana and Cereus atroviridis (Cactaceae). Bats ingested the anthers of Calliandra laxa flowers (Leguminosae-Mimosoideae) without providing pollination services. Glossophaga''s preoccupation with A. desmettiana was not coincidental. Agaves produced more pollen and 10 .times. more nectar than other plants visited. A. desmettiana was also the only species to flower year round and the only one observed to be visited by other pollen vectors.