Halloween and bats are forever connected. Why? Three species out of roughly 1,300 feed primarily on blood – “vampire” bats. The vast majority of bat species feed on insects, rodents, and nectar. We don’t want to add to the fear factor of this Halloween holiday. There are plenty of people who are better at this. We feel closer to the mystery and magical aspects of our favorite eerie holiday.

Recently visiting researchers together with resident biologists of Mashpi Lodge in Ecuador identified two endemic bell-shaped flowers in the hotel’s vast reserve. The odd blooms struck the scientists as unusual. They lacked two vital characteristics to attract common pollinators: bright colors and strong smells.

Given that both species are considered “critically endangered” (according to IUCN criteria), it’s vital to support the regeneration of both the bat and flower species. The goal of Mashpi Lodge and Reserve is to bolster the importance of research and enrich our knowledge of the lodge’s surrounding ecosystem. Research like this helps us to see beyond, read between the lines, and understand the importance of knowing and describing new species. Our broad understanding supports a deeper grasp of interdependence in the ecosystem. This knowledge is then shared with local communities, guests, and the world at large, all with the aim of underlining the importance of conserving this fragile and fascinating bio-region.