In nature, each one of the animals and plants fulfills a specific function for the conservation of the balance of the ecosystem to which they belong. Introducing changes that affect any of the populations means fragmenting the habitat of the species and, on many occasions, this endangers their survival.
The pollinating animals play a very important role in ecosystems, do you know what it is? To find out, we invite you to read the following article, where you can also find characteristics and examples of the main pollinating animals.
What is pollination?
The reproduction of most plant species occurs sexually, that is, it requires the union of male and female cells for fertilization to take place These cells are found in the pollen (male), so it needs to be transferred to the pistil of the flowers (female), where fertilization occurs and, after this process,the flower becomes a fruit with seeds.
Thus, when we talk about the reproduction of plants, the intervention of a third party is often required, which is known as " pollinator agent " to make it possible.
These pollinators can be insects, other animals and even natural elements such as water and wind. In the case of animal species, they have found a balance with the flora and evolved together, so that plants have been able to produce flowers with different aromas, shapes and colors in order to attract pollinators to feed on the nectar.
When animals feed on nectar, they involuntarily carry pollen on their feet, wings, or other body parts. Covering themselves with pollen, they deposit it on the next flower they feed on, allowing the substance to reach the pistil to complete the reproductive process. Now, when it comes to pollination, there are different ways, some involve the intervention of animals and others do not, so you should know the different types of pollination that exist.
Pollination types
These are the different types of pollination that exist:
Direct pollination
Also called selfpolization, occurs when flower pollen moves to the pistil of the same flower. It can be autogamy or geitogamy.
- Autogamy: occurs when the male and female gametes come from the same flower.
- Geitogamy: occurs when the male and female gametes come from different flowers, but from the same species; that is, the pollen is transported from one flower to another on the same plant. Different pollinating agents (animals, water or air) are involved.
Cross pollination
In this type of pollination, the pollen of one species is transported to the pistil of a flower of another species Pollinators are essential for this process and, depending on which one is in charge of transporting the pollen, we would be facing several subtypes of pollination.
These subtypes are:
- Abiotic pollination: occurs thanks to the intervention of animals. It can be ornithophilous (birds), zoophilous (mammals) or entomophilous (insects).
- Abiotic pollination: occurs thanks to the intervention of water (hydrophilic) or wind (anemophilous), agents that are responsible for moving pollen accidentally, either to the same plant or to others, so there are cases in which abiotic pollination is, in turn, a subtype of self-pollination.
- Vibratory Pollination: Used by bees and bumblebees to extract pollen from tubular flowers, as they would not otherwise they can access it. The process is simple: the insect clings to the flower with its legs and flaps its wings; the resulting vibratory movement helps to remove the pollen spores.
Artificial pollination
It is the one that occurs with the intervention of the human being It takes place with agricultural production objectives or when it is desired to obtain some specific characteristics in the plant in question. The human being intervenes throughout the process and monitors the stages to achieve the expected result. It is the opposite of natural pollination, described in the types and subtypes above.
Now that you know the different types of pollination, it's time to show you which animals are responsible for intervening in this process.
Pollinating insects
We will start this list of pollinating animals with insects, the most well-known animals in the task of pollinating flowers. Next, we mention the main and best known pollinating insects, along with their characteristics:
1. Bees
Bees, belonging to the Apoidea family, are insects that can be found practically around the world. The importance of bees as pollinating insects is one of the greatest environmental concerns. We are talking about some of the most important animals, as they play an important role not only in maintaining the balance of ecosystems, but also in the food production of human beings, since they are responsible for pollinating multiple species that are cultivated for consumption. All species of bees that exist are responsible for fulfilling this function.
two. Ants
Ants belong to the Formicidae family and are eurosocial insects, that is, they have a well-defined social organization in which each member performs a function around the figure of a queen ant.
Among the foods that ants eat are flowers, which is why they contribute to pollination, although to a lesser extent. In most cases, they are among the pollinating animals with pollen in tow, that is, they can accidentally carry some of the pollen on their backs So themselves, they are pollinating animals and seed dispersers, since they often help to transport them.
3. Flower flies
Hyrphids, names of a family of diptera insects that are also called flower flies, have an extensive global distribution. In addition, their external appearance allows them to be often confused with bees. These flies generally prefer white or yellow flowers, and there are even some species that only feed on the nectar of specific flowers. By feeding on this nectar, they help transport pollen.
4. Butterflies
Butterflies belong to the order Lepidoptera, which also includes moths and other insects. There are about 165,000 species, most of which are counted among the nocturnal pollinating animals, although there are also diurnal varieties.
In order to extract nectar from flowers, butterflies have an elongated tube-shaped mouthpiece, called a spirit tube, with which they suck to feed. Thanks to this, they can transport pollen to different flowers.
5. Bumblebee
The common bumblebee (Bombus terrestrial) is an insect similar in appearance to a bee in terms of colors, since its body is yellow and black, with the exception of presenting greater size and villi. They feed on nectar and pollen, which they store in their colonies whose organization is similar to that of bees. When required, they use vibratory pollination.
6. Wasps
Under the name of wasp, various species of the order Hymenoptera are included. They measure about five centimeters and have a black and yellow coloration, in addition to a venomous stinger Although the wasps' diet is mainly carnivorous, sometimescan feed on nectar and accidentally carry pollen.
7. Mosquitoes
Not all mosquitoes feed on blood, in fact, only the females are hematophagous. The males, on the other hand, sip nectar from the flowers and contribute to pollination. In America alone, they pollinate nearly 400 different plant species.
8. Beetles
Beetles are commonly known as beetles and have inhabited the Earth since the Permian. There are about 375,000 species that are distributed almost all over the world, they have different sizes and shades, although they are identified by large mouthparts in most species. Beetles feed on fungi, other insects, roots, wood, decaying material, flowers, and pollen, so some species help pollinate.
Pollinating animals that are not insects
Now, did you know that there are other animals, apart from insects, that are responsible for pollinating flowers? That's how it is! Below we show you other pollinating animals that are not insects:
9. Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds belong to the Trochilidae family and are endemic to the American continent, where there are around 300 species. They are characterized by their small size, elongated and thin beak, and wings capable of moving at impressive speed. However, what does the hummingbird eat? All species of hummingbirds feed on nectar, so their pollinating role is very important. In particular, they fulfill this role with the tubular flowers, where their beaks allow them to reach food.
10. Lemur
Under the name of lemurs, different species of primates endemic to the island of Madagascar are included. They are nocturnal pollinators and are characterized by their bright eyes and ring-patterned tail. The diet of lemur species is varied, including fruits, herbs, leaves, pollen and nectar Those that feed on pollen and nectar are an important link in the process of pollinating, and they are usually animals that carry pollen on their backs attached to their fur, helping to spread it.
eleven. Day Gecko
The day gecko (Phelsuma ornata) is a reptile endemic to the island of Mauritius, located south of India The species It measures only 12 centimeters and has a coloration that can vary between chestnut, blue and bluish green on the body, with chestnut stripes on the flanks and a pattern of blue, white or red. This species of gecko feeds on insects and invertebrates, but also consumes pollen and nectar, which contributes to pollination.
12. Slugs
Slugs are land molluscs that belong to the order Pulmonata. Although slugs do not occupy an important position when it comes to pollinating, since they generally feed on plant or animal residues, in addition to the lower parts of plants, they contribute as indirect pollinatorsby crawling on flowers, shedding pollen and carrying it elsewhere.
13. Curaçao Long-nosed Bat
The long-snouted bat (Leptonycteris curasoae) is a bat that is distributed in the caves and forests of Colombia, Venezuela and Aruba It It feeds on the fruits, nectar and pollen of different species, so it is a nocturnal pollinator. In addition to this, it contributes as a seed disperser.
14. Birds of the family Nectariniidae
Commonly called suimangas and spiders, the Nectariniidae family encompasses 144 species of birds that include flower nectar as a staple in their diets, although many of them also feed on insects. The species are distributed in Africa, Australia and Asia, where they prefer areas with tropical climates. Thanks to their population density and the number of species that exist, they play an important role for floral pollination.
fifteen. Rice Rat
The rice rat (Nephelomys devius) is a species of rodent that is distributed in Costa Rica and Panama. It is little known, but it is known to feed on small fungi that grow at the foot of trees. Although its pollination work is minor, the search for its food is one way it contributes to spreadingpollen spores accidentally, either around it or unintentionally carrying them on their fur.
