Florivory, Nectarivory, and Pollination – a Review of Primate-flower Interactions

Due to their principally arboreal way of life, primates can potentially interact with flowers from a broad diversity of tropical and subtropical plants. In fact the consumption of flowers and/or nectar has been reported for many primate species, but the role in primate diets is generally underestimated. Also, evidence has been provided for the role of some primate species as pollinators. This paper aims at reviewing information on the interactions between primates and flowers and to examine factors like body mass and dietary strategy as determinants for the type of interaction, i.e. whether entire flowers or nectar are consumed. I also review the available evidence for pollination by primates and the consequences of flower predation for subsequent fruit set. I conclude that (a) the contribution of flowers and/or nectar to primate diets can be substantial, at least seasonally, and therefore (b) primate-flower interactions (flower predation, pollination) are more prevalent and may have larger impact on affected plants than previously thought. Accepted 27 January 2011.