Preferência alimentar de morcegos nectarívoros referente à composição nutricional do néctar

Abstract

The pollination by bats, called chiropterophilia, has been widely studied due to its importance to the maintanance of the tropical and subtropical environments. In this mutualistic interaction, the nectar is a crucial substance to the bats nutrition. So, questions arise about the bats selective pressure on the nectar composition. The study evaluated the nectar-feedind bats preference for combination of sugar and to verify the preference with the adittion of limiting nutrients. The study was conducted at the Estação Biologia Marinha Augusto Ruschi, in Santa Cruz (Aracruz). Two experiments were performed: preference for amino acids and minerals and the preference for sugar (sucrose, frutose, glucose and the combination of frutose and glucose). The solutions were prepared using the floral nectar composition and concentration found at literature. They were offerted in artificial drinkers and the preference was determined from the visiting number in each one. The identification of the species was obtained from the observation, by filming and capture using mist nets. The research concluded that the presence of amino acids and mineral in the sucrose solutions did not change the preference and that the frutose and glucose combination was not prefered by nectar-feeding bats.