Sugar gustatory thresholds and sugar selection in two species of Neotropical nectar-eating bats.

摘要: Abstract Nectar-feeding bats play an important role in natural communities acting as pollinators; however, the characteristics that affect their food selection are unclear. Here we explore sugar gustatory thresholds and concentration on of Glossophaga soricina Leptonycteris yerbabuenae . We offered paired feeders containing solutions sucrose (S), glucose (G) or fructose (F) vs. pure water, 1:1 equicaloric glucose–fructose at 5, 15 35% (wt./vol.). To see effect sweetness selection, habituated with a diet either hexoses subsequently evaluated preferences. Sugar were S  G. G  L. These did not match preferences when fed dilute nectars. changed its while not. Finally, consistently preferred they to. Our results suggest become accustomed to found most abundant plants use, thus prefer common sugars included diet. This could confer advantage by allowing them shifting present environment.