Social Wasp Diversity (Vespidae, Polistinae) in a Forest Fragment in the Northeast of Sao Paulo State Sampled with Different Methodologies

Author(s)

Lima, Alexandre C. O. ^[1] ; Castilho-Noll, Maria Stela M. ^[2] ; Gomes, Bruno ^[2] ; Noll, Fernando B. ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Biol, Fac Filosofia Ciencias & Letras Ribeirao Preto, BR-14014090 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] UNESP, Dept Bot & Zool, Inst Biociencias Letras & Ciencias Exatas, BR-15054000 Sao Jose Do Rio Preto, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Sociobiology; v. 55, n. 2, p. 613-625, 2010.
• Web of Science Citations: 5

Abstract

Social wasp diversity in Semideciduous Seasonal Forests of the northeast of Sao Paulo State is poorly known, causing a lack of information on the diversity of these wasps from these areas which have been degraded. The objective of this work was to evaluate the social wasp (Vespidae, Polistinae) diversity in a Semideciduous Seasonal Forest of the northeast of Sao Paulo State and to compare three different kinds of sampling methodology. Surveys were conducted from August 2005 to September 2006 in the interior, edge and matrix of a Semideciduous Seasonal Forest fragment in Patrocinio Paulista city, Sao Paulo State. Three methodologies were used: 1. Active collection in flowers, 2. Searching for nests, 3. Active collection with attractive liquid. Thirty species of social wasps were collected in the fragment, but the diversity was highest in the edge. Active collection with attractive liquid was the most efficient methodology. Despite the high levels of deforestation, forest fragments in Sao Paulo State have a high diversity of social wasps, reinforcing the importance of their preservation. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 07/08633-1 - Social interactions, foraging and biodiversity of neotropical social wasps.
• Grantee: Fernando Barbosa Noll
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants