ABSTRACT Intraspecific variation in floral traits, such as nectar, could lead to differences in the identity and pollinator effectiveness of visitors between populations of a flowering plant. We studied the bat-pollinated bromeliad species Pseudalcantarea viridiflora to determine whether there are differences in the identity of its pollinators and in its nectar traits between two study sites located at different latitudes in Veracruz, Mexico. We studied phenology and determined the volume, concentration and quantity of dissolved sugars in the nectar at both sites. The northern P. viridiflora population produced nectar that was more sugar-rich, leading to pollination by a larger species, Anoura geoffroyi, whereas the southern populations were visited mainly by Glossophaga mutica, a smaller pollinator. The most abundant nectarivorous bats at each site differ in terms of their efficiency as pollinators, and we suggest that this might affect their contribution to the fitness of the bromeliad.

Abstract: We captured Promops centralis and recorded its echolocation calls in Bahía de Kino, Sonora, which represents the first record of this species for the state of Sonora, Mexico. Our new record extends the distribution of P. centralis at least 1,300 km northwest from the northernmost known locality, Cuautla, Jalisco. Until now, there was no evidence of the occurrence of P. centralis in the deserts of northern Mexico. These new records are ecologically significant as they show that this species also occurs in extreme dry areas such as the Sonoran Desert. Our findings suggest that P. centralis may be more widely distributed than previously thought.

Resumen: Se capturó al murciélago Promops centralis y se grabaron sus llamadas de ecolocalización en la localidad de Bahía de Kino, Sonora; este es el primer registro de la especie para el estado de Sonora, México. Este nuevo registro amplía la distribución de P. centralis por lo menos 1,300 km al noroeste de la localidad más norteña previamente conocida, Cuautla, Jalisco. Hasta ahora no existía evidencia de la presencia de P. centralis en los desiertos del norte de México. Este nuevo registro es de importancia ecológica ya que por primera vez se muestra que esta especie puede subsistir en áreas extremadamente secas como el Desierto de Sonora. Nuestro hallazgo sugiere que P. centralis puede estar más ampliamente distribuido de lo que se pensaba con anterioridad.