Testing the Effectiveness of Synthetic Chemical Lures to Increase Fruit Bat‐Mediated Seed Dispersal in a Tropical Forest

Biotropica, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 57(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Tropical deforestation is occurring at alarming rates, creating an urgent need for global prioritization of restoration efforts. One potential forest recovery strategy to boost seed‐dispersing animal activity (e.g., fruit‐eating bats) increase seed availability in degraded areas. In this study, we investigated the efficacy synthetic chemical lures attracting fruit bats and enhancing rain northeastern Costa Rica. The were composed a few volatile organic compounds commonly found ripe bat‐dispersed fruits. Daily deployment resulted significant capture Carollia spp., key neotropical disperser, but no detectable effect on other bats. 15‐day also increased average total seeds collected traps. However, explained only small portion variance rain, highlighting context‐dependency these results. Still, contrast previously studied essential oil‐based lures, hold be applied across broader spectrum initiatives due simplified manufacturing improved reproducibility. Although additional research understand full use efforts, our study demonstrates effectiveness potentially augmenting rain.

Language: Английский

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Interactions between nutrients and fruit secondary metabolites shape bat foraging behavior and protein absorption

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(4)

Published: April 1, 2024

Abstract Frugivore foraging behavior is largely influenced by two key groups of chemical traits: nutrients and secondary metabolites. Many metabolites function in plant defense, but their consumption can negatively impact both mutualistic antagonistic frugivores, often due to toxic properties the or through nutrient absorption interference. Frugivores are assumed maximize acquisition while avoiding minimizing metabolite intake, relative roles co‐occurring not well understood. Here, we used a neotropical fruit bat investigate interactive effects broadly bioactive metabolite, piperine, on essential processes acquisition, namely absorption. Through manipulation piperine concentrations artificial diets, showed that captive bats prioritize regardless levels even though strong deterrent its own. Furthermore, our findings reveal has no detectable influence total sugar absorption, it reduces protein which crucial limited frugivore diet. Overall, results demonstrate importance considering interaction between traits pulp better understand physiology.

Language: Английский

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Untargeted Metabolomics Reveals Fruit Secondary Metabolites Alter Bat Nutrient Absorption

Journal of Chemical Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 50(7-8), P. 385 - 396

Published: May 17, 2024

The ecological interaction between fleshy fruits and frugivores is influenced by diverse mixtures of secondary metabolites that naturally occur in the fruit pulp. Although some have a primary role defending pulp against antagonistic frugivores, these also potentially affect mutualistic interactions. physiological impact on remains largely unexplored. Using bat (Carollia perspicillata), we showed ingesting four commonly found plant tissues affects foraging behavior induces changes fecal metabolome. Our behavioral trials tested typically deter bats. metabolomic surveys suggest alter, either increasing or decreasing, absorption essential macronutrients. These effects vary based specific identity concentration metabolite tested. results portion consumed excreted intact slightly modified. By identifying key shifts metabolome frugivore caused consumption, this study improves our understanding chemistry physiology.

Language: Английский

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