Salt has contrasting effects on the digestive processing of dilute nectar by two Neotropical nectarivorous bats.

摘要: Abstract Nectarivorous vertebrates might include sugar-dilute nectar in their diet and they are expected to undergo compensatory feeding. However, physiological constraints limit the intake of nectar, affecting energy budgets. Among other processes, limiting role osmoregulation is supported by enhanced rate dilute sugar solutions avian nectarivores when salt added. We tested if Greater Antillean Long-tongued bat (Monophyllus redmani) Brown flower (Erophylla sezekorni) compensated fed dilute-sugar (2.5 5% sucrose), content (11, 20 40 mM NaCl l−1) modulated these solutions. Both species were unable compensate with varying densities, on 2.5 diets was lower than most concentrated (10, 30% sucrose). responded differently addition salt. Salt did not affect 2.5% bat, it decreased In contrast, increased Intake responses densities our two focal that previously studied indicate uniform be digestive osmoregulatory traits.