Ecological relationships between columnar cacti and nectar-feeding bats in Mexico

Abstract

A bibliographical and herbarium investigation on the pollination syndrome of Mexican columnar cacti (tribe Pachycereeae) was conducted. Most Mexican species of columnar cacti show a chiropterophilic-pollination syndrome and they flower synchronously in March to May. The floral biology, reproductive system and visitors (to both fruits and flowers) ofNeobuxbaumia tetetzo, the most abundant and dominant columnar cactus of succulent forest in the Tehuacan Valley, were studied. This species reached densities ofc.1200 individuals ha−1. The batsLeptonycteris curasoaeandChoeronycteris mexicanawere its only pollinators, whilst a more diverse array of visitors disperse seeds. Contrary to findings for multiple pollinators of columnar cacti in extratropical deserts in North America, the relationships betweenN. tetetzoand nectar-feeding bats was strong and tightly coupled in Mexico.