In order to reach the plant s nectar upon which it feeds, it must contact the flower s reproductive organs in order to pollinate the plant. Bats are also important to many economically valuable crop plants such as bananas, avocados, and mangoes. Most crops are now commercially cultivated, but wild stocks are necessary to produce more productive, disease resistant strains. More than 300 plant species in the Old World tropics alone rely on bat seed dispersal and pollination alone, and more species are being discovered daily. From these 300 species, more than 450 uses and products are derived.
Bats are highly valuable as species for scientific research.
Bats' wings are used to study the circulation of some drugs, bacteria, and microorganisms due to their transilluminating nature. Study of bat's echolocation abilities has provided for construction of ultrasonic navigating devices for the blind. Thermoregulation of bats, their ability to stand extreme body temperature changes, has been studied in relation to low temperature surgical techniques. Bats also may become a factor in vaccine research because of the ability of some to resist certain viruses or diseases. Bat droppings, also called guano, is a natural by product from consuming large amounts of insects.