Question

Pollination by bat is called _____.
A. Ornithophily
B. Chiropterophily
C. Malacophily
D. Anemophily

Answer 1

Hint:-: Pollination is the process through which whole pollen grains are transported to flowers (of the same species) for the purpose of sexual reproduction. It is a process typically seen in gymnosperms and angiosperms where the pollen is transported from the male to the female part.

Complete Answer:-Option a) Ornithophily - the process of pollination by birds. Birds which feed on flower material and fruits often help in the dispersal of pollen grains to other nearby flowers. Such flowers are called Ornithophilous.Thus, this option is incorrect.

Option c) Pollination by slugs and snails is called malacophily. Land plants like Chrysanthemum and water plants like lemna show malacophily. Arisaema (snake plant) is often visited by snails.
Thus, this option is incorrect.

Option d) Anemophily - Anemophily or wind pollination is pollination carried out with the help of the wind. This pollination is called anemophilous pollination. They are small, light in colour and do not produce any scent or nectar.Thus, this option is incorrect.

Option b) Chiropterophily - the pollination of plants by bats. It is the most common source of pollination in tropical and desert areas, as they have many plants which bloom at night. Thus, this option is Correct.Just like bees and birds that pollinate, nectar-consuming bats use a different way to harvest the nectar from flowers.Such bats have long tongues.
The flowers possess light-colored petals, large flowers, fruity fragrances and too much nectar to attract these bats.The flowers often have a fermented or musky odour, and they show a tendency to open after sunset.

Note:- - Bats pollinate around 300 fruit species including bananas, guavas, and mangoes.
- To let a bat’s face accommodate, most of the chiropterophilous flowers are shaped like a vase, however some others are flat and brushy in order to stick the pollen to a bat’s whiskers.