In Defense of Plants Podcast Ep. 446 - Bats: Friends of Plants
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Nov 5, 2023 Dr. Merlin Tuttle, the founder of Merlin Tuttle's Bat Conservation and a leading bat conservationist, shares fascinating insights about the critical relationship between bats and plants. He details how bats are essential for pollination and seed dispersal, even adapting plants to attract them. Tuttle highlights the economic benefits of bats in agriculture, especially for crops like cacao and rice. He also discusses changing perceptions through compassionate dialogue and the importance of collaboration for effective conservation efforts.
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Bats as Pollinators
- Bats are the most efficient pollinators, carrying pollen farther than any other animal.
- Long-nosed bats in Mexico have been observed covering over 60 miles in a single night.
High-Altitude Pollination
- The Puya plant, found in the Andes, relies on bats for pollination, even though bats can't live in its cold habitat.
- Bats from lower valleys ride thermals up to pollinate the Puya, demonstrating a unique adaptation.
Misconceptions about Pollination
- In Cuba, the "echo vine" was thought to be hummingbird-pollinated, but observations revealed otherwise.
- Bats' larger heads effectively pollinated the flowers at night, disproving the initial assumption.