Use of Flower Corolla Types by Pteropodid Bats in Lore Lindu National Park, Sulawesi, Indonesia

Fruit bats (Pteropodidae) are key seed dispersers and pollinators, yet their interactions with Sulawesi’s diverse flora remain underexplored despite the region’s rich biodiversity and bat endemism. This study investigates the corolla preferences, pollen diets, and resource partitioning of fruit bats in Lore Lindu National Park (LLNP), Central Sulawesi. Pollen was found in 13 species of bats except Cynopterus luzoniensis. A total of 30 species of plants were identified based on the shape and size of the pollen. Nine flower types were identified, with bats most frequently visiting plant species with apetalous corollas (61.79%). Meanwhile, plants with other corolla types were visited by less than 12.26%. Plant species with ligulate corolla flowers were the least visited by bats. Most bats, except Thoopterus suhaniahae, visited plant species with apetalous corollas. While some bats have specific flower preferences, Macroglossus minimus had the most diverse diet, consuming pollen from 25 plant species. Effective conservation management is essential in LLNP to preserve these vital ecosystem services.