Question

Pollination performed by bat is?
a. Myrmecophily
b. Entomophily
c. Ornithophily
d. Chiropterophily

Answer 1

Hint: Bats are the nocturnal animals who carry out this process of pollination. Long distance dispersal is carried out in this type of pollination. Considering the classification of bats, they belong to order Chiroptera and are the only mammal capable of true flight.

Complete answer:
> Option D, Pollination by bats is called Chiropterophily. Flowers which are pollinated by this mechanism are usually pale and night blooming. The advantage of this pollination is that the long distance dispersal of pollen along with depositing a huge amount of pollen on the stigmas is obtained. Which is correct option

> Option A, Myrmecophily is a symbiotic relationship between plant and ants, where the plants provide food to ants or place to hide eggs and the ants help them in pollination. This option is incorrect.

> Option B, Entomophily or insect pollination is a common form of pollination. In this the pollen of plants or flowering plants is distributed with the help of insects.

> Option C, Ornithophily is the process of pollination by birds. Birds come to feed on flowers and fruits often allowing dispersal of pollen grains with them to other nearby flowers. These flowers are called ornithophilous flowers, as they are solely involved in birds for pollination. This option is also incorrect.

Hence, The correct answer is option (D).

Additional information:
Nectar-eating bats have special adaptations, they possess fleshy bristles on their long tongues, as do many bees, to scoop out pollen as well as nectar. They also have good eyesight and a fine sense of smell. The migratory bats often pollinate a various numbers of species of plants as they travel. These plants are however seen to flower in the same area called “nectar corridor” corresponding to the bats’ migratory route.

Note: More than 500 species of tropical plants are pollinated by nectar- and pollen-eating bats each year. These plants have evolved some special features to make their nectar and pollen attractive to the nocturnal flyers. Such plants are called chiropterophilous, or “bat-loving” plants. Plants that rely primarily on bat pollinators have large, white flowers, which bats can spot easily at night. These flowers have a fermented and musky odour and they tend to bloom during sunset. In order to accommodate a bat’s face, many bat-pollinated flowers are vase shaped.