Molecular evidence of frugivorous bats (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) consuming Vanilla planifolia (Orchidaceae)

In Mexico and Central America, little is known about the interactions between Vanilla planifolia and its dispersers. Using mist nets, we captured frugivorous bats to obtain fecal samples and extracted DNA from them. By using molecular biology, we compared the sequences obtained with those available in the GenBank. We captured 459 bats, of which one individual of Carollia perspicillata, Sturnira hondurensis and S. parvidens, respectively, had consumed V. planifolia, all of which were females with no evidence of reproductive activity. This is the first molecular evidence of V. planifolia consumption by bats and confirms that this orchid–bat interaction not only exists but also occurs in three species of bats. This interaction could be occurring by consuming the fruits when they become dehiscent, once the bats are attracted by the aroma.