Visits of bats to flowers of Lafoensia glyptocarpa KOEHNE (LYTHRACEAE)

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
In the present study visits of phyllostomid bats to the Lafoensia glyptocarpa Kohne flowers were observed at Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Itaguaí municipality, Rio de Janeiro state. This tree species present floral characteristics to fit the "chiropterophilous syndrome", encouraging the visit of four species of bats which showed different behavior patterns, according to their size, weight and access to the food resources. Glossophaga soricina (Pallas, 1766) showed hovering behavior. Phyllostomus hastatus (Pallas, 1767) and Platyrrhinus lineatus (Geoffroy, 1810) showed landing behavior and Artibeus lituratus (Olfers, 1818) fed during the quick flight, without a real landing.