Risk-sensitive foraging strategy of flower visitors in Serjania caracasana

Abstract

Production of nectar can play a fundamental role in the foraging behaviour of floral visitors through its availability and distribution. The aim of this study was to understand the foraging pattern of floral visitors in Serjania caracasana. The field study observed the strategy of nectar production and the foraging behaviour of the floral visitors of Serjania caracasana, carried out through an experiment that evaluated the amount of nectar produced by flowers, species richness and frequency of visits. The data analysis showed that there is no significant correlation between any of the variables analysed. The unstable nectar between the flowers and the unpredictability during the hours of the day suggest a risk-foraging strategy of risk-prone type of the species of floral visitors. The data from this study suggests that Serjania caracasana has potential to understand the theory of risk-sensitive foraging in relation to its reproductive success.