scholarly journals Exploitation of Floral Resources and Niche Overlap within an Oil-collecting Bee Guild (Hymenoptera, Apidae) in a Neotropical Savanna

Sociobiology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cândida Maria Lima Aguiar ◽  
Juliana Caramés ◽  
Flavio França ◽  
Efigenia Melo
Keyword(s):  
Host Plants ◽  
Niche Overlap ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Trophic Niche ◽  
Floral Resources ◽  
Resource Exploitation ◽  
Neotropical Savanna ◽  
Floral Resource ◽  
Trophic Niches ◽  
Concentration Levels

Oil bees exploit host plants for resources to feed the adults and offspring, as well as for the construction of their nests. The aim of the current study is to investigate how the species in this guild distribute their foraging effort, and the range in their niche overlap levels. The bees were sampled for six months, during their visits to the flowers in a savanna (“cerrado”). These oil-bee species explored the floral resources provided by 13 plant species. The trophic niche of the most abundant species, Centris aenea Lepeletier, was relatively narrow, similarly to those of Epicharis species. Low overlap of trophic niches (TrNO≤30%) was most commonly found. The distribution of bee visits to the host plants revealed redundancy in the floral resource exploitation. However, the foraging concentration levels in some key plants were different for distinct oil-bee species, and it contributed to the low overlap of niches between many pairs of species

scholarly journals Food niche of solitary and social bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) in a Neotropical Savanna

Sociobiology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 554
Author(s):  
Claudia Oliveira dos Santos ◽  
Cândida Maria Lima Aguiar ◽  
Celso Feitosa Martins ◽  
Edson Braz Santana ◽  
Flávio França ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Niche Overlap ◽  
Trophic Niche ◽  
Floral Resources ◽  
Neotropical Savanna ◽  
Social Bees ◽  
Long Period ◽  
Food Niche ◽  
Trophic Niches

In this study we investigated the group of floral resources that support bee populations from a bee assemblage in a savanna, and the way in which bee species use these food resources, with an emphasis on the breadth and overlap of trophic niches. The interactions between 75 species of bees and 62 species of plants visited to obtain floral resources were recorded on a Brazilian savanna site. The bee species explored a diverse set of plant species, but concentrated the collection of resources in a few plant species. The distribution of the samples over a long period favored a robust characterization of the food niche of the bee populations. Byrsonima sericea, Serjania faveolata, and Stigmaphyllon paralias were the plant species with the highest number of links with bees. In general, the trophic niche overlap was low, with 75% of pairs of bee species having a niche overlap (NO) less than 0.33. Only four pairs showed high overlap (NO>0.70) and all cases were related to the exploitation of floral resources provided by B. sericea, a key resource for the maintenance of the local bee fauna, an oil and pollen provider.

scholarly journals Floral Resource Partitioning between Centris (Heterocentris) analis (Fabricius, 1804) and Centris (Heterocentris) terminata Smith, 1874 (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Centridini), in an Urban Fragment of the Atlantic Forest

Sociobiology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reinanda Lima ◽  
Maria Ferreira-Caliman ◽  
Marcos Da Costa Dórea ◽  
Caroline Tito Garcia ◽  
Francisco De Assis Ribeiro Dos Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Niche Breadth ◽  
Niche Overlap ◽  
Trophic Niche ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Floral Resources ◽  
Pollen Types ◽  
Getulio Vargas ◽  
Floral Resource

The knowledge on plant species used for the collection of floral resources is crucial to understanding interactions between plants and bees. The aim of the present study was to identify floral resources used by Centris analis and Centris terminata to provision brood cells and determine the niche breadth and overlap of these two species in a fragment of the Atlantic Forest in Brazil. This study was conducted at the Universidade Federal da Bahia and Parque Zoobotânico Getúlio Vargas, both of which are located in urban areas of the city of Salvador in the state of Bahia. Twelve and eight pollen types were identified in C. analis and C. terminata nests, respectively. The most frequent pollen types were from species of Malpighiaceae and Fabaceae. A larger trophic niche breadth was found in the Parque Zoobotânico Getúlio Vargas for C. analis and in the Universidade Federal da Bahia for C. terminata. Pianka’s index demonstrated trophic niche overlap between C. analis and C. terminata, which was greater in the Parque Zoobotânico Getúlio Vargas. This study is the first to provide data on plants used as food sources by species of the genus Centris in a fragment of the Atlantic Forest situated within urban areas.   

scholarly journals Floral UV Features of Plant Species From a Neotropical Savanna

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priscila Tunes ◽  
Maria Gabriela Gutierrez Camargo ◽  
Elza Guimarães
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Floral Resources ◽  
Neotropical Savanna ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Reproductive Structures ◽  
Shared Ancestry ◽  
Resource Type ◽  
Colour Patterns ◽  
Floral Resource ◽  
Pollination Systems

Despite the wide interest in flower colours, only after the end of the nineteenth-century studies started to comprise floral UV reflection, which is invisible to humans but visible to the major groups of pollinators. Many flowers and inflorescences display colour patterns, an important signal for pollinators, promoted by the presence of at least two different colours within flowers or inflorescences, including colours in the UV waveband. For Neotropical savanna plant species, we characterised floral UV features using UV-photography and reflectance measurements. We tested (i) whether floral UV features were constrained by their shared ancestry, (ii) whether floral UV features were associated with pollinators, and (iii) whether floral UV features were associated with floral traits mediating these interactions, including floral resource, type of attraction unit and presence/absence of non-UV colour patterns. Of 80 plant species, ca. 70% were UV-patternless, most of them UV-absorbing. Approximately 30% presented one of three types of UV-patterns: bullseye, contrasting corolla markings oriented toward floral resources or contrasting reproductive structures, which were all considered as floral guides. Floral UV features were phylogenetically constrained and were associated with pollinators, floral resources and attraction unit, but not with non-UV colour patterns. UV-patternless flowers were associated with most of the pollination systems, while UV-patterned flowers were mainly associated with bee-pollination. UV-absorbing flowers comprised the only category with hawkmoth- and butterfly-pollinated flowers, and a high percentage of hummingbird-pollinated species. Nocturnal pollinated species were also commonly UV-absorbing, except for one UV-reflecting bat-pollinated species and one beetle-pollinated species with UV-reflecting stigmas. All types of floral UV features were associated with nectar; however, flowers with contrasting reproductive structures were mainly associated with pollen. There was an association between UV-absorbing species and the presence of inflorescences and intermediate attraction units. Our results evince that phylogenetic relatedness can constraint floral UV features’ diversification, but combinations of evolutionary and ecological processes may be expected in this scenario.

Floral resource use and interactions between Apis mellifera and native bees in cucurbit crops in Yucatán, México

2005 ◽  
Vol 137 (4) ◽  
pp. 441-449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Angel Pinkus-Rendon ◽  
Víctor Parra-Tabla ◽  
Virginia Meléndez-Ramírez
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Resource Use ◽  
Interspecific Interactions ◽  
Citrullus Lanatus ◽  
Niche Overlap ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Floral Resources ◽  
Native Bees ◽  
Native Bee ◽  
Floral Resource

AbstractDespite the importance of native pollinators in agricultural systems, little is known about the potential competitive interactions among them or the way they exploit crops' floral resources. This study determines the temporal use of floral resources by, and interspecific interactions between, native bees and Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in experimental plots of squash, Cucurbita moschata (Duchesne ex Lam.) Duchesne ex Poir. (Cucurbitaceae), and watermelon, Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) (Cucurbitaceae). General and specific niche overlap analyses were done to determine whether temporally differential use of floral resources occurred. Direct displacement interactions at the floral level were quantified. The species with the greatest abundances were Peponapis limitaris Cockerell (Apidae), Partamona bilineata Say (Apidae), and A. mellifera. Overall, the niche overlap analyses in both crops suggested that floral resources are not used simultaneously by different bee species. Winner events during aggressive encounters suggested a hierarchy among bee species, with A. mellifera being one of the species with more winner encounters in both crops. It is suggested that those deciding whether or not to introduce A. mellifera into crops should consider whether the abundance of native bee species is sufficient to ensure efficient fruit production.

scholarly journals Trophic niche overlap and abundance reveal potential impact of interspecific interactions on a reintroduced fish

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah M. Larocque ◽  
Timothy B. Johnson ◽  
Aaron T Fisk
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Salmon ◽  
Salmo Trutta ◽  
Interspecific Interactions ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Niche Overlap ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Trophic Niche ◽  
Niche Complementarity ◽  
Reintroduced Species ◽  
The Impact

Conceptually trophic niche overlap and species abundance can describe the strength and number of interspecific trophic interactions to determine the competitive impact on reintroduced species or other ecosystem changes. We use an example with young-of-year (YOY) Atlantic salmon (<i>Salmo salar</i>) reintroductions to determine if trophic niche overlaps and abundances limit restoration success. Using seasonal stable isotopes and abundance estimates for invertivorous fishes in three Lake Ontario tributaries, we assessed community isotopic structure, trophic niche overlap, and the impact of the niche overlap by incorporating relative abundance. Brown trout (<i>Salmo trutta</i>) YOY could be a strong competitor with a high trophic niche overlap with Atlantic salmon YOY but at lower abundances relative to Atlantic salmon minimizes impact. Stream resident fish communities appeared to partition resources across seasons such that abundant species had low trophic niche overlap to minimize overall competition with Atlantic salmon YOY given available resources, indicating niche complementarity. Through joint consideration of trophic overlap and abundance using our conceptual model, the competitive impact of community composition on a reintroduced species could be assessed.

scholarly journals Preferência Floral de Vespas (Hymenoptera, Vespidae) no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Somavilla ◽  
Andreas Köhler
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Rio Grande ◽  
Niche Overlap ◽  
Trophic Niche ◽  
Floral Resources ◽  
Rio Grande Do Sul ◽  
Santa Cruz ◽  
Schinus Terebinthifolius ◽  
Wasp Species ◽  
Eryngium Horridum

As vespas integram a comunidade de visitantes florais e podem constituir uma parcela representativa dos polinizadores. Por este motivo, objetivou-se conhecer e analisar a preferência floral das espécies de Vespidae, bem como investigar o uso de recursos florais por estas vespas. Foram realizadas coletas entre o período de 2001 a 2008 em diferentes localidades do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (Estrela Velha, Santa Cruz do Sul, São Francisco de Paula e Sinimbu), entre 08:00 a 17:00 horas, utilizando redes entomológicas para a captura dos vespídeos visitando flores. Os espécimes coletados foram depositados na Coleção Entomológica de Santa Cruz do Sul (CESC). Coletou-se 1.483 indivíduos alocados em 73 espécies de vespas, sendo que 78,9% são Polistinae (30 espécies) e 21,1% Eumeninae (43 espécies), visitando as flores de 33 espécies de plantas classificadas em 16 famílias botânicas; as famílias com maior número de espécies vegetais foram Asteraceae (12), Fabaceae (4) e Apiaceae (3). A planta com o maior número de vespídeos coletados foi Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (616), seguida por Eryngium pandanifolium L. (137) e Eryngium horridum Spreng (122). A análise da sobreposição de nicho trófico de 26 espécies que visitaram quatro ou mais floração, mostrou que a sobreposição foi igual ou maior que 50% em apenas seis casos. Floral Preferences of Wasps (Hymenoptera, Vespidae) in the Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil Abstract Wasps integrate the floral visitors’ community and they can constitute a representative portion of the pollinators. For this reason, it was aimed to know and to analyze the floral preference of the Vespidae species and to investigate the use of floral resources for these wasps. The collects were performed between 2001 and 2008 in different localities of Rio Grande do Sul state (Estrela Velha, Santa Cruz do Sul, São Francisco de Paula e Sinimbu) between 08:00 at 17:00 hours, utilizing entomological nets to catch the flower-visiting wasps. The collected specimens were deposited at the Coleção Entomológica de Santa Cruz do Sul (CESC). 1.483 specimens were captured belonging to 73 wasp species, whose 78.9% were Polistinae (30 species) and 21.1% Eumeninae (43 species), visiting the flowers of 33 plant species classified in 16 botanical families; the families with the larger number of plant species were Asteraceae (12), Fabaceae (4) and Apiaceae (3). The plant species with the largest number of wasps collected was Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (616), followed by Eryngium pandanifolium L. (137) and Eryngium horridum Spreng (122). The analysis of the trophic niche overlap of 26 species with four or more visited plant species, showed an overlap equal or higher than 50% in six cases.

scholarly journals The food web in a subterranean ecosystem is driven by intraguild predation

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Parimuchová ◽  
Lenka Petráková Dušátková ◽  
Ľubomír Kováč ◽  
Táňa Macháčková ◽  
Ondřej Slabý ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Web ◽  
Trophic Interactions ◽  
Intraguild Predation ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Niche Overlap ◽  
Trophic Niche ◽  
High Availability ◽  
Large Prey ◽  
Arthropod Predators ◽  
Body Sizes

AbstractTrophic interactions of cave arthropods have been understudied. We used molecular methods (NGS) to decipher the food web in the subterranean ecosystem of the Ardovská Cave (Western Carpathians, Slovakia). We collected five arthropod predators of the species Parasitus loricatus (gamasid mites), Eukoenenia spelaea (palpigrades), Quedius mesomelinus (beetles), and Porrhomma profundum and Centromerus cavernarum (both spiders) and prey belonging to several orders. Various arthropod orders were exploited as prey, and trophic interactions differed among the predators. Linear models were used to compare absolute and relative prey body sizes among the predators. Quedius exploited relatively small prey, while Eukoenenia and Parasitus fed on relatively large prey. Exploitation of eggs or cadavers is discussed. In contrast to previous studies, Eukoenenia was found to be carnivorous. A high proportion of intraguild predation was found in all predators. Intraspecific consumption (most likely cannibalism) was detected only in mites and beetles. Using Pianka’s index, the highest trophic niche overlaps were found between Porrhomma and Parasitus and between Centromerus and Eukoenenia, while the lowest niche overlap was found between Parasitus and Quedius. Contrary to what we expected, the high availability of Diptera and Isopoda as a potential prey in the studied system was not corroborated. Our work demonstrates that intraguild diet plays an important role in predators occupying subterranean ecosystems.

Trophic niche overlap between native freshwater mussels (Order: Unionida) and the invasive Corbicula fluminea

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Modesto ◽  
Ester Dias ◽  
Martina Ilarri ◽  
Manuel Lopes‐Lima ◽  
Amílcar Teixeira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Freshwater Mussels ◽  
Corbicula Fluminea ◽  
Niche Overlap ◽  
Trophic Niche

scholarly journals Floral Resources Sustaining African Meliponine Bee Species (Hymenoptera: Meliponini) in a Fragile Habitat of Kenya

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bridget O. Bobadoye ◽  
Paul N. Ndegwa ◽  
Lucy Irungu ◽  
Fombong Ayuka ◽  
Robert Kajobe
Keyword(s):  
Flowering Phenology ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Flowering Plants ◽  
Flowering Plant ◽  
Floral Resources ◽  
Habitat Gradients ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Taita Hills ◽  
Insect Pollinators ◽  
Diverse Habitat

A vast majority of insects visit flowers for food, generally termed as floral rewards. Detailed insights on flowering phenology of plants could give a hint of habitat status and the extent to which such landscapes could support insect pollinators to render both direct and indirect ecosystem services. This study monitored flowering plants which could potentially provide both pollen and nectar sources to four African meliponine bee species (Apidae: Meliponini) naturally occurring in six diverse habitat gradients of the eastern arc mountains (Taita hills) of Kenya. Blooming sequences of identified flowering plants overlapped across seasons with approximately 80 different plant species belonging to 34 families recorded, with the highest proportions from Fabaceae and Asteraceae families dominating flowering plants that were visited (67% of the visits).  A flowering calendar is presented to indicate the phenological pattern of all identified floral resources.  Hypotrigona gribodoi being the most abundant species had the highest visitation rates on plants belonging to Fabaceae and Asteraceae families, followed by Meliponula ferruginea (black), Plebeina hildebrandti and Hypotrigona ruspolii. This indicates that such fragile habitat could invariably sustain nutritional requirements essential for the survival of insect pollinators such as native meliponine bee species, though bee abundance at flowers did not significantly correlate to food availability (expressed by flowering plant richness).

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