The sweet side of life: nectar sugar type and concentration preference in Wahlberg's epauletted fruit bat

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Molecular & Integrative Physiology
J C Coleman, Colleen T Downs

Abstract

Whether nectarivores or frugivores place selective pressure on the plants they feed on, in terms of nectar or fruit traits, is much debated. Globally sugar preferences, concentration preference and digestive ability of avian nectarivores have been extensively researched. In contrast, relatively little is known about mammalian nectarivores or frugivores in terms of these, particularly Old World species. Consequently effect of sugar type and concentration on food preference in Wahlberg's epauletted fruit bat Epomophorus wahlbergi was investigated. Pair-wise choice tests were conducted using equicaloric hexose and sucrose solutions at five different concentrations (5%-25%). It was expected that they would prefer hexose sugars as these are dominant in available indigenous fruits. However, bats preferred hexoses only when offered dilute (5%) concentrations. From 10% to 25% they showed a decrease in volume intake. Their body mass was generally higher and similar after feeding during the night with the exception of 5% concentration where the mean body mass decreased. When E. wahlbergi were offered a range of sucrose or hexose solutions (10%-25%) respectively, they showed no concentration preference in terms of total volume consumed, n...Continue Reading

References

Oct 18, 2005·Physiological and Biochemical Zoology : PBZ·Nicte RamirezLeticia Miron
Jan 10, 2008·Journal of Comparative Physiology. B, Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology·Jorge Ayala-BerdonCarlos Martínez Del Río
Jan 20, 2009·Journal of Comparative Physiology. B, Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology·Jorge Ayala-BerdonKathryn E Stoner
Jun 15, 2011·Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Molecular & Integrative Physiology·Jorge Ayala-BerdonJorge E Schondube
Oct 28, 2011·The Journal of Experimental Biology·L Gerardo HerreraCarlos A Mancina

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Citations

Dec 20, 2011·Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Molecular & Integrative Physiology·Colleen T DownsPreshnee Singh
Oct 23, 2012·Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Molecular & Integrative Physiology·Jorge Ayala-BerdonJorge E Schondube

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