Removal effects on nectar production in bat-pollinated flowers of the Brazilian cerrado

Abstract

We tested the removal effect on nectar production in four bat-pollinated cerrado flowers. We compared the amount of nectar after 7-12 removals with the accumulated nectar in non-manipulated flowers after 12 h. In all, but one species, removals increased volume by 1.5-4.6 times and sugar content by 1.6-4 times, which may affect flower visitation by bats, pollen flow, and reproduction. © 2011 The Author(s) Journal compilation © 2011 Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation.