The Impact of Different Phytophysiognomies on the Composition of Orchid Bee Communities (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Euglossini) in the Atlantic Forest in Brazil

Author(s)

Costa, C. P. ; Francoy, T. M.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Annals of the Entomological Society of America; v. 110, n. 3, p. 255-262, MAY 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 3

Abstract

We sampled bees of the tribe Euglossini in three close areas within a small region of Sao Paulo state that includes three different phytophysiognomies of the Atlantic Forest biome. Even though Euglossini bees are known for flying great distances, there were clear differences in the composition of bee communities, including differences in abundance and richness of species at specific points within the same biome. The area characterized by tropical rainforest was the richest in bee fauna of this group, followed by the mixed rainforest area, whereas no specimens of Euglossini were found in nearby high-altitude fields. The differences in composition and abundance of orchid bees in geographically close areas reveal the importance of the conservation of distinct habitat patches within a biome for bee conservation. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/02158-0 - Altitudinal and geographic effects on the genetic variability of orchid bees (Apidae, Euglossini) populations of the State of São Paulo
• Grantee: Claudinéia Pereira Costa
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 11/07857-9 - Populational characterization of orchid bees (Apidae, Euglossini) from São Paulo State using geometric morphometrics of wings, mitochondrial DNA variability and cuticular hydrocarbons
• Grantee: Tiago Mauricio Francoy
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Young Investigators Grants