Seeing More Evidence T e flower in Cuba is rare, but its ability to call bats isn’t. We see proof of this in Costa Rica where the sea beans grow. At first, we don’t see a cupped leaf near the


flower. T en the first petal starts to open. It looks like a little dish. It’s the perfect shape to make strong echoes and call to bats. Seeing that reminds us of an interesting experiment another scientist did. She removed the cupped petal of some sea beans. Aſt er doing that, bats couldn’t find the flowers at all. We also head to Ecuador to look for a rare


cactus. Scientists aren’t sure what pollinates it. Since many cacti depend on bats, we want to see if it has a way to call bats. We don’t see any leaves on the cactus, but


we do see a stiff , waxy flower. Sounds easily bounce off surfaces like this. A thick fuzz also grows behind the flower. Simon points out that fuzz absorbs sounds. So to a bat, echoes from the flower would pop out while the area around it remains quiet. T e echoes would lead the bat to the flower. Sure enough, we soon see a bat visit the flower.


Flower Power Hundreds of other flowers depend on bats to spread their pollen, too. In time, I know scientists will learn more about how these plants attract bats. T ey’ll look for ways that a bat’s sounds


can echo off these plants. It’s exciting to think about the special parts they’ll find that aff ect sounds. Maybe the plants grow a special leaf, a petal, a fuzz, or something completely new. Each bit of evidence will strengthen the claim that flowers can really “call” bats. It will show us how plants adapt to call their perfect pollinator. One thing I know for sure. It’s the right


call for these flowers to make. Nectar bats are some of the most amazing


pollinators. T ey can carry a lot of pollen in their thick fur. T ey can fly farther than many butterflies, bees, or hummingbirds. T at’s important because some plants that they pollinate are scattered far apart. For these flowers, the ability to call bats is key to the survival of their species. It lets them reproduce and live.


WORDWISE


anther: the male part of the fl ower that makes pollen


pistil: the female part of the fl ower that receives pollen


pollen: a dust produced by plants that can help make seeds


pollinate: to carry pollen from one fl ower to another


pollinator: an animal that carries pollen from one fl ower to another


stamen: a long, thin stalk topped by an anther


JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2015 23


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