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<p>In tropical and subtropical ecosystems, nectar-eating bats are essential pollinators of numerous plant species; however, the global organization of bat-flower interaction networks remains poorly understood, particularly in relation to the roles of threatened and non-threatened species. Moreover, evaluating these networks at the scale of biogeographic realms is crucial to capture spatial variation in ecological processes and to better understand regional patterns of species roles and conservation priorities. Most studies are local and rarely consider conservation status alongside ecological function. To fill this gap, we compiled 1259 documented interactions involving 107 bat species and 486 plant species across nine biogeographic realms and one global meta-network. We assessed network structure, robustness to species loss, and the contribution of each bat species based on its structural role and IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) status. To assess vulnerability, we simulated species removal in blocks defined by the combination of structural role (peripheral, connector, module core, network core) and threat category (threatened or non-threatened). Our results revealed heterogeneous structural patterns: the Global, Neotropical, Oriental, and Panamanian meta-networks were significantly modular and nested; only the Nearctic was significantly nested; and others showed no defined structure. Most bats played peripheral roles, and few acted as connectors or module hub nodes. Simulated extinctions showed that the removal of threatened or non-threatened species, especially abundant peripheral or connector species, can compromise network robustness, indicating that ecological contributions are not strictly linked to extinction risk. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating functional roles in conservation planning. While the IUCN Red List remains a key reference, identifying species that support structural cohesion and diversity of interactions can improve prioritization. This study provides the first global-scale synthesis of bat-flower pollination networks and highlights the need to protect species that support mutualistic systems.</p>

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Threatened and non-threatened bats play equivalent roles in bat-flower meta-networks at global and biogeographic realm scales

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年8月29日

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  • Kevin González-Gutiérrez,
  • Fabricio Villalobos,
  • Laura Teresa Hernández-Salazar,
  • Dulce Rodríguez-Morales,
  • Wesley Dáttilo

摘要

In tropical and subtropical ecosystems, nectar-eating bats are essential pollinators of numerous plant species; however, the global organization of bat-flower interaction networks remains poorly understood, particularly in relation to the roles of threatened and non-threatened species. Moreover, evaluating these networks at the scale of biogeographic realms is crucial to capture spatial variation in ecological processes and to better understand regional patterns of species roles and conservation priorities. Most studies are local and rarely consider conservation status alongside ecological function. To fill this gap, we compiled 1259 documented interactions involving 107 bat species and 486 plant species across nine biogeographic realms and one global meta-network. We assessed network structure, robustness to species loss, and the contribution of each bat species based on its structural role and IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) status. To assess vulnerability, we simulated species removal in blocks defined by the combination of structural role (peripheral, connector, module core, network core) and threat category (threatened or non-threatened). Our results revealed heterogeneous structural patterns: the Global, Neotropical, Oriental, and Panamanian meta-networks were significantly modular and nested; only the Nearctic was significantly nested; and others showed no defined structure. Most bats played peripheral roles, and few acted as connectors or module hub nodes. Simulated extinctions showed that the removal of threatened or non-threatened species, especially abundant peripheral or connector species, can compromise network robustness, indicating that ecological contributions are not strictly linked to extinction risk. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating functional roles in conservation planning. While the IUCN Red List remains a key reference, identifying species that support structural cohesion and diversity of interactions can improve prioritization. This study provides the first global-scale synthesis of bat-flower pollination networks and highlights the need to protect species that support mutualistic systems.