Question

Definition of Chiropterophily.

Answer 1

The above term is associated with the process of pollination. Pollination is the process by which the pollen from the anther is transferred to the stigma of a flower. Pollination is mainly achieved by two modes/agents:
Abiotic Agents
Biotic Agents
The above term (chiropterophily) is a biotic agent of pollination.

Complete answer:
Majority of plants use a wide range of animals as pollinating agents. The flowers produce nectar and have vibrant color and fragrance which attract these agents/animals. The animals come and sit on the flower to suck on the nectar and the plant shed their pollen on them. Later when this same animal visits another flower (of the same species), then the pollen is taken up by the receptive stigma.
The range of animals used by plants for this purpose include bees, butterflies, flies, moths, beetles, wasps, ants, moths, birds (particularly sun bird and hummingbird), bats and even snakes.
Now each of this class of agents have a “specific name” to signify them. Below is a table which will help you to remember the names:

NAME OF THE AGENT	TERM USED	EXAMPLES
Insects	Entomophily	China rose, Amorphophallus
Bird	Ornithophily	Bombax , Callistemon
Bats	Chiropterophily	Anthocephalus , Adansonia
Snails	Malacophily	Arisaema (Cobra plant), Colocasia
Snakes	Ophiophily	Santalum, Michelia

Thus, the pollination that is brought about by bats is known as chiropterophily.

Note:
The plants that use biotic agents for pollination offer them certain ‘rewards’ for their contribution in the pollination process. These are known as pollen rewards. These pollen rewards are mainly nectar, pollen and occasionally shelter for the insects to lay their eggs (E.g., Amorphophallus , Yucca , etc.).
Insects which consume pollen or nectar without bringing about pollination are known as pollen/nectar robbers. E.g., queens of Bombus affinis perforate Aquilegia spurs and steal nectar.