This Plant Attracts Bats With a Satellite Dish

The video explores how most plants use colorful flowers to attract pollinators, but Marcgravia evenia, a vine endemic to Cuba, uses a unique method to attract bats. Since bats forage at night and rely on echolocation, M. evenia has evolved disk-shaped leaves that reflect sound, making it easier for bats to locate them. This adaptation allows bats to find the plant faster than others. Research shows that these leaves help bats find food more efficiently, though they are less effective at photosynthesis. The trade-off is beneficial for the plant, as it ensures efficient pollination by bats.

What role do the specialized receptor cells in bats' ears play in their foraging?

Why might Marcgravia evenia have evolved its leaves over flashy flowers?