Optimal concentrations in nectar feeding.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Kim W
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3189050 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Oct
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Optimal concentrations in nectar feeding.
Kim Wonjung W Gilet Tristan T Bush John W M JW
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 20110926 40
Nectar drinkers must feed quickly and efficiently due to the threat of predation. While the sweetest nectar offers the greatest energetic rewards, the sharp increase of viscosity with sugar concentration makes it the most difficult to transport. We here demonstrate that the sugar concentration that optimizes energy transport depends exclusively on the drinking technique employed. We identify three nectar drinking techniques: active suction, capillary suction, and viscous dipping. For each, we de ...[more]
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