Versatility of the trophic niche of Centris (Paracentris) burgdorfi (Apidae, Centridini)

Centris species collect floral oil and use this resource in larval food and for waterproofing their cells. We investigated the trophic niche of three distinct populations of Centris burgdorfi , a widely distributed bee in Brazil, by using pollen collected from female bees. Our goal was to determine...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Arthropod-plant interactions 2019-04, Vol.13 (2), p.227-237
Main Authors: Sabino, William O., Alves-dos-Santos, Isabel, da Silva, Cláudia Inês
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acetolysis
Bees
Behavioral Sciences
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Centris
Centris burgdorfi
Diet
Ecology
Entomology
Females
Flowers & plants
Geographical distribution
Invertebrates
Life Sciences
Nectar
Niches
Oils & fats
Original Paper
Plant Pathology
Plant Sciences
Pollen
Quantitative analysis
Selectivity
Species
Versatility
Waterproofing
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Summary:Centris species collect floral oil and use this resource in larval food and for waterproofing their cells. We investigated the trophic niche of three distinct populations of Centris burgdorfi , a widely distributed bee in Brazil, by using pollen collected from female bees. Our goal was to determine whether there is versatility regarding sources of oil, nectar, and pollen in different regions of Brazil. By using the pollen, we also determined whether the source of oil used corresponded to the collection apparatus of the females. In total, we sampled 150 C. burgdorfi females and their associated pollen in three distinct habitat types across Brazil. We prepared pollen by acetolysis and performed quantitative analysis on 400 grains per bee. We identified 41 plant species belonging to 18 families that were used by C. burgdorfi . Although none of the plant species used by C. burgdorfi were shared among areas, the Chamaecrista genus was present in the diet at all three sites. The probable oil source came from plants of the genus Krameria , a genus with epithelial elaiophores. In regions where the Krameriaceae family was not present (e.g., southern Brazil), bees used Angelonia integerrima , a plant with trichomate elaiophores, demonstrating that C. burgdorfis exhibited versatility in its dietary breadth among the studied regions. C. burgdorfi proved to be locally specialized in oil floral source and selectivity in pollen sources, but a generalist when evaluated the wide geographic distribution.
ISSN:1872-8855
1872-8847
DOI:10.1007/s11829-018-9654-5