A Novel Resource-Service Mutualism Between Bats and Pitcher Plants

T. Ulmar Grafe1,*, Caroline R. Schoner2, Gerald Kerth3, Anissa Junaidi1 and Michael G. Schoner2

1Department of Biology, University Brunei Darussalam, Tungku Link, Gadong 1410, Brunei Darussalam

2Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, University of

Wurzburg, Biozentrum, Am Hubland, 97074 Wurzburg, Germany

3Zoological Institute and Museum, Greifswald University, JohannSebastian-Bach-Strasse 11/12, 17489 Greifswald, Germany

*Author for correspondence (grafe@biozentrum.uni-wuerzburg.de).

Affiliations

Introduction

Nepenthes, one of the carnivorous pitcher plants, genus grows in nutrient-poor soils and to acquire sufficient nitrogen depends on trapping arthropods

The study investigates the mutualistic relationship between Nepenthes rafflesiana (pitcher plant) and Kerivoula hardwickii hardwickiip (woolly bats)

The study hypothesizes that a mutualistic relationship exists between N. r. elongata and Hardwicke's woolly bats because the bats take shelter in the plant and discharges wastes while the plants get the supply of nitrogen from the waste of bats

This process indicates the uncommon mutualism where N. r. elongata gets nitrogen from the waste of Hardwicke's woolly bats

Discussion

The findings of the study are significant and inform about resource-service mutualism between carnivorous plants and animal waste

N. r. elongata offers reduced fluids and secure roosting space to Hardwicke's woolly bats

The win-win situation for both animals and plants seems advantageous in the context of a nutrient-poor environment and reflects the ecological strategy

Methods

The research was conducted during the time period from June 14 to July 30, 2009 in peat swamp forest, Brunei

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