ABSTRACT
Cleptoparasitism, also known as brood parasitism, is a widespread strategy among bee species in which the parasite lays eggs into the nests of the host species. Even though this behavior has significant ecological implications for the dynamics of several species, little is known about the molecular pathways associated with cleptoparasitism. To shed some light on this issue, we used gene expression data to perform a comparative analysis between two solitary neotropical bees: Coelioxoides waltheriae, an obligate parasite, and their specific host Tetrapedia diversipes. We found that ortholog genes involved in signal transduction, sensory perception, learning, and memory formation were differentially expressed between the cleptoparasite and the host. We hypothesize that these genes and their associated molecular pathways are engaged in cleptoparasitism-related processes and, hence, are appealing subjects for further investigation into functional and evolutionary aspects of cleptoparasitism in bees.
Subject(s)
Host-Parasite Interactions , Transcriptome , Animals , Bees/genetics , Bees/parasitology , Host-Parasite Interactions/genetics , Gene Expression ProfilingABSTRACT
In specialized plant-pollinator associations, partners may exhibit adaptive traits, which favor the maintenance of the interaction. The association between Calibrachoa elegans (Solanaceae) and its oligolectic bee pollinator, Hexantheda missionica (Colletidae), is mutualistic and forms a narrowly specialized pollination system. Flowers of C. elegans are pollinated exclusively by this bee species, and the bees restrict their pollen resources to this plant species. The pollen presentation schedules of C. elegans were evaluated at the population level to test the hypothesis that H. missionica females adjust their foraging behavior to the resource offering regime of C. elegans plants. For this, the number of new flowers and anthers opened per hour (as a proxy for pollen offering) was determined, and pollen advertisement was correlated with the frequency of flower visits during the day. Preferences of female bees for flowers of different stages were also investigated, and their efficiency as pollinators was evaluated. Pollen offering by C. elegans was found to be partitioned throughout the day through scattered flower openings. Females of H. missionica indeed adjusted their foraging activity to the most profitable periods of pollen availability. The females preferred new, pollen-rich flowers over old ones and gathered pollen and nectar selectively according to flower age. Such behaviors must optimize female bee foraging efficiency on flowers. Female bees set 93% of fruit after a single visit. These findings guarantee their importance as pollinators and the persistence of the specialized plant-pollinator association.
Subject(s)
Feeding Behavior , Flowers , Pollination , Solanaceae , Animals , Bees/physiology , Flowers/physiology , Pollination/physiology , Female , Feeding Behavior/physiology , Solanaceae/physiology , Pollen/physiologyABSTRACT
Recognizing how populations fluctuate over time is a crucial factor in determining the environmental elements affecting population persistence. However, the limited information on wild bee populations complicates the estimation of the impact of anthropogenic threats leading to changes in population size. To address this, we conducted a study capturing and monitoring nine species of wild bees through monthly samplings over four years. Tray traps were placed in permanent plots, and capture records were used to determine population size (N) and density (D). A generalized linear model (GLM) was employed to determine how the use of traps affected bee species captures. The families Apidae and Halictidae represented the most captures. Apis mellifera, the Lasioglossum (Dialictus spp.) complex, and Macrotera sinaloana exhibited the largest number of captures and highest population density. Most species (77.7%) showed a tendency to remain constant over the years and to have a higher number of captures in the spring months. Moreover, yellow traps were the most effective in capturing bee individuals. We suggest that the availability of essential resources and the reduction in environmental stressors positively affected the capture of wild bee populations.
ABSTRACT
Species respond idiosyncratically to environmental variation, which may generate phenological mismatches. We assess the consequences of such mismatches for solitary bees. During 9 years, we studied flowering phenology and nesting phenology and demography of five wood-nesting solitary bee species representing a broad gradient of specialization/generalization in the use of floral resources. We found that the reproductive performance and population growth rate of bees tended to be lower with increasing nesting-flowering mismatches, except for the most generalized bee species. Our findings help elucidate the role of phenological mismatches for the demography of wild pollinators, which perform key ecosystem functions and provide important services for humanity. Furthermore, if climate change increases phenological mismatches in this system, we expect negative consequences of climate change for specialist bees.
Subject(s)
Ecosystem , Reproduction , Bees , Animals , Population Growth , Climate Change , Pollination , FlowersABSTRACT
In this article are described two new species of oil-collecting bees of Centris (Melanocentris) from Colombia. Centris (Melanocentris) marinae sp. nov. occurs in the northeast, César Department, while C. (Melanocentris) germani sp. nov. occurs in the southeast, in the Caquetá, Meta and Vaupés Departments, as well as in the Amazonas State in northwestern Brazil. Photographs of both new species and a distribution map are also presented.
Duas espécies novas de abelhas coletoras de óleo de Centris (Melanocentris) da Colômbia (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Neste artigo são descritas duas novas espécies de abelhas coletoras de óleo do subgênero Centris (Melanocentris) da Colômbia. Centris (Melanocentris) marinae sp. nov. ocorre no nordeste do país, no Departamento de César, enquanto C. (Melanocentris) germani sp. nov. ocorre no sudeste, nos Departamentos de Caquetá, Meta e Vaupés, assim como também no Estado do Amazonas, no noroeste do Brasil. Fotografias das duas novas espécies e um mapa de distribuição também são apresentados.
Subject(s)
Animals , Bees/classification , Biodiversity , Oils/analysis , Oils/chemistryABSTRACT
ABSTRACT In this article are described two new species of oil-collecting bees of Centris (Melanocentris) from Colombia. Centris (Melanocentris) marinae sp. nov. occurs in the northeast, César Department, while C. (Melanocentris) germani sp. nov. occurs in the southeast, in the Caquetá, Meta and Vaupés Departments, as well as in the Amazonas State in northwestern Brazil. Photographs of both new species and a distribution map are also presented.
RESUMO Duas espécies novas de abelhas coletoras de óleo de Centris (Melanocentris) da Colômbia (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Neste artigo são descritas duas novas espécies de abelhas coletoras de óleo do subgênero Centris (Melanocentris) da Colômbia. Centris (Melanocentris) marinae sp. nov. ocorre no nordeste do país, no Departamento de César, enquanto C. (Melanocentris) germani sp. nov. ocorre no sudeste, nos Departamentos de Caquetá, Meta e Vaupés, assim como também no Estado do Amazonas, no noroeste do Brasil. Fotografias das duas novas espécies e um mapa de distribuição também são apresentados.
ABSTRACT
In this article are described two new species of oil-collecting bees of Centris (Melanocentris) from Colombia. Centris (Melanocentris) marinae sp. nov. occurs in the northeast, César Department, while C. (Melanocentris) germani sp. nov. occurs in the southeast, in the Caquetá, Meta and Vaupés Departments, as well as in the Amazonas State in northwestern Brazil. Photographs of both new species and a distribution map are also presented.(AU)
Duas espécies novas de abelhas coletoras de óleo de Centris (Melanocentris) da Colômbia (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Neste artigo são descritas duas novas espécies de abelhas coletoras de óleo do subgênero Centris (Melanocentris) da Colômbia. Centris (Melanocentris) marinae sp. nov. ocorre no nordeste do país, no Departamento de César, enquanto C. (Melanocentris) germani sp. nov. ocorre no sudeste, nos Departamentos de Caquetá, Meta e Vaupés, assim como também no Estado do Amazonas, no noroeste do Brasil. Fotografias das duas novas espécies e um mapa de distribuição também são apresentados.(AU)
Subject(s)
Animals , Bees/classification , Oils/analysis , Oils/chemistry , BiodiversityABSTRACT
Primary types of Centris bees described by the German melittologist Heinrich Friese were studied. To stabilize the application of some names, lectotypes were designated for C. agilis abdominalis, C. americana bicincta, C. atriventris rubripes, C. bakeri, C. birkmannii, C. breviceps, C. bucephala, C. buchwaldi, C. burgdorfi paraguayensis, C. chilensis neoqueenensis, C. collaris fluviatilis, C. costaricensis erubescens, C. flavothoracica, C. labrosa, C. labrosa simplex, C. lateritia, C. lutea, C. metathoracica, C. mexicana albiceps, C. mixta, C. mocsaryi, C. muralis melanopus, C. nigripes, C. pauloensis, and C. versicolor rufiventris. Centris agilis abdominalis and C. labrosa simplex were revalidated from the synonymy of C. agilis Smith and C. analis (Fabricius), respectively, raising both varieties at species level. Centris fulvicollis is removed from C. (Ptilotopus) and transferred to C. (Melanocentris), transforming the former subgenus in a natural group. Centris fusciventris atriceps is proposed as n. syn. of C. mocsaryi, C. flavifrons rufescens as n. syn. of C. flavifrons (Fabricius), and C. xanthocnemis ardesiaca as n. syn. of C. xanthocnemis (Perty). Centris femoralis is withdrawn from the synonymy of C. lutea and proposed as n. syn. of C. rufipes. Taxonomic notes and comments of the remaining species described by Friese are also provided.
Subject(s)
Hymenoptera , Animal Distribution , Animals , BeesABSTRACT
A synopsis of the metallic carpenter bees Xylocopa subgenus Schonnherria Lepeletier in Colombia is presented. Eleven species were recognized: X. dimidiata Latreille, X. ecuadorica Cockerell, X. lateralis Say, X. lucida Smith, X. metallica Smith, X. muscaria (Fabricius), X. ornata Smith, X. viridis Smith, and X. simillima Smith, being this latter a new record for the country. In addition, two new species are described: X. auriventris n. sp. and X. romeroi n. sp. from the Colombian Andean and Pacific region, respectively. To stabilize the application of some names, lectotypes were designated for X. binotata Pérez (=X. lateralis), X. muscaria, X. ornata, X. simillima and X. viridis. Diagnoses, descriptions, comments, floral records, distribution maps, figures and an identification key are also provided.
Subject(s)
Hymenoptera , Animal Distribution , Animals , Bees , ColombiaABSTRACT
In this paper the primary types of Centris bees described by the German entomologist Curt Schrottky were studied. The type specimens of C. anisitsi, C. brethesi, C. ehrhardti, C. garleppi, C. garleppi var. unifasciata, C. pectoralis var. flava, C. pocograndensis, and C. xanthocnemis var. perflava were analyzed, providing notes on their current status and depository. To stabilize the application of the name C. ehrhardti a lectotype was designated. Notes and photographs of selected types are also provided.(AU)
Subject(s)
Animals , Bees/classification , Bees/anatomy & histology , ClassificationABSTRACT
In this paper the primary types of Centris bees described by the British entomologist Frederick Smith deposited in the Natural History Museum, London and in the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Oxford, United Kingdom were studied. To stabilize the application of some names, lectotypes were designated for C. agilis, C. apiformis (= C. aenea Lepeletier), C. ardens (= C. varia (Erichson)), C. aterrima, C. cineraria, C. concinna (= C. dentata), C. crassipes, C. dentata, C. difformis, C. discolor, C. elegans, C. ephippium, C. festiva, C. ignita (= C. agilis), C. insignis, C. insularis, C. maculifrons, C. melanochlaena, C. mexicana, C. modesta, C. nitida, C. perforator, C. personata (= C. longimana Fabricius), C. plumipes, C. rubella (= C. ferruginea Lepeletier), C. semicaerulea, C. simillima, C. tarsata, C. thoracica (= C. domingensis Dalla Torre) and Anthophora dimidiata (= C. nigerrima (Spinola)). Centris perforator nom. rev. and C. modesta nom. rev. are withdrawn from the synonymy of C. fuscata Lepeletier and C. obsoleta Lepeletier respectively, and consequently revalidated. Centris fulviventris Cresson and C. simillima are removed from the synonymy of C. lanipes (Fabricius), proposing the revalidation of the first species and the second one as its new junior synonym. Centris insignis and C. insignis scutellaris Friese are proposed as new junior synonyms of C. laticincta (Spinola). The critical study of the primary type of C. aterrima, for a long time a misidentified species, allowed for proposing C. anomala Snelling as its new junior synonym. As result of this synonymy, C. apache new species is here described based on specimens incorrectly considered as belonging to C. aterrima. In addition, a lectotype for Centris clypeata Friese (= C. nigrocaerulea Smith) is also designated.
Subject(s)
Hymenoptera , Animal Distribution , Animals , BeesABSTRACT
In this paper the primary types of Centris bees described by the German entomologist Curt Schrottky were studied. The type specimens of C. anisitsi, C. brethesi, C. ehrhardti, C. garleppi, C. garleppi var. unifasciata, C. pectoralis var. flava, C. pocograndensis, and C. xanthocnemis var. perflava were analyzed, providing notes on their current status and depository. To stabilize the application of the name C. ehrhardti a lectotype was designated. Notes and photographs of selected types are also provided.
Subject(s)
Animals , Bees/anatomy & histology , Bees/classification , ClassificationABSTRACT
Abstract In this paper the primary types of Centris bees described by the German entomologist Curt Schrottky were studied. The type specimens of C. anisitsi, C. brethesi, C. ehrhardti, C. garleppi, C. garleppi var. unifasciata, C. pectoralis var. flava, C. pocograndensis, and C. xanthocnemis var. perflava were analyzed, providing notes on their current status and depository. To stabilize the application of the name C. ehrhardti a lectotype was designated. Notes and photographs of selected types are also provided.
ABSTRACT
In this paper the primary types of bees of the genus Centris Fabricius, 1804 described by the American hymenopterologist Ezra Townsend Cresson were studied. The type specimens of C. aethiops, C. fulviventris, C. lanosa, C. montezuma, C. otomita, and C. totonaca were examined, providing notes on their current status and depository. Photographs of selected types are also provided.
Neste artigo foram estudados os tipos primários das abelhas do gênero Centris Fabricius, 1804 descritas pelo himenopterólogo americano Ezra Townsend Cresson. Os espécimes-tipo de C. aethiops, C. fulviventris, C. lanosa, C. montezuma, C. otomita e C. totonaca foram analisados, fornecendo notas sobre seu status atual e local de depósito. Fotografias de alguns tipos selecionados também são proporcionadas.
Subject(s)
Animals , Bees/classification , ZoologyABSTRACT
ABSTRACT In this paper the primary types of bees of the genus Centris Fabricius, 1804 described by the American hymenopterologist Ezra Townsend Cresson were studied. The type specimens of C. aethiops, C. fulviventris, C. lanosa, C. montezuma, C. otomita, and C. totonaca were examined, providing notes on their current status and depository. Photographs of selected types are also provided.
RESUMO Neste artigo foram estudados os tipos primários das abelhas do gênero Centris Fabricius, 1804 descritas pelo himenopterólogo americano Ezra Townsend Cresson. Os espécimes-tipo de C. aethiops, C. fulviventris, C. lanosa, C. montezuma, C. otomita e C. totonaca foram analisados, fornecendo notas sobre seu status atual e local de depósito. Fotografias de alguns tipos selecionados também são proporcionadas.
ABSTRACT
In this paper the primary types of bees of the genus Centris Fabricius, 1804 described by the American hymenopterologist Ezra Townsend Cresson were studied. The type specimens of C. aethiops, C. fulviventris, C. lanosa, C. montezuma, C. otomita, and C. totonaca were examined, providing notes on their current status and depository. Photographs of selected types are also provided.(AU)
Neste artigo foram estudados os tipos primários das abelhas do gênero Centris Fabricius, 1804 descritas pelo himenopterólogo americano Ezra Townsend Cresson. Os espécimes-tipo de C. aethiops, C. fulviventris, C. lanosa, C. montezuma, C. otomita e C. totonaca foram analisados, fornecendo notas sobre seu status atual e local de depósito. Fotografias de alguns tipos selecionados também são proporcionadas.(AU)
Subject(s)
Animals , Bees/classification , ZoologyABSTRACT
In this paper, the primary types of Centris described by the American doctor and naturalist William Henry Fox deposited at the Academy of Natural Sciences, Drexel University, Philadelphia and in the United States National Museum, Washington, United States were studied. To stabilize the application of some names, lectotypes were designated for C. atriventris Fox (= C. foxi Friese), C. cockerellii Fox, C. eisenii Fox, C. errans Fox, C. pallida Fox, C. subhyalina Fox (= C. lanosa Cresson), and C. xylocopoides Fox. This latter species is withdrawn from the synonymy of C. braccata Packard and subsequently revalidated. Centris foxi is removed from synonymy of C. atripes Mocsáry and revalidated, proposing this latter species as its new junior synonym. A taxonomic note on the primary type of C. marginata Fox (= C. caesalpiniae Cockerell) is also provided.
Subject(s)
Hymenoptera , Animal Distribution , Animals , Bees , Universities , WashingtonABSTRACT
In this paper the primary types of Centris described by Amédée Lepeletier de Saint-Fargeau in 1841 deposited at Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, France and Hope Entomological Collection, Oxford University Museum of Natural History, United Kingdom were studied. To stabilize the application of some names, lectotypes were designated for C. bimaculata, C. collaris, C. decolorata, C. denudans, C. dorsata, C. ferruginea, C. fuscata, C. maculata (= C. decolorata), C. obsoleta, C. picea, C. poecila, C. trigonoides, C. violacea and C. vittata. Centris picea nomen oblitum is withdrawn from the synonymy of C. lanipes (Fabricius) and proposed as new junior synonym of C. trigonoides nomen protectum. Centris nigrescens is removed from the synonymy of C. vittata and revalidated, proposing C. merrillae Cockerell and C. lanipes ogilviei Cockerell as its new junior synonymies. Lectotypes for this latter species and for C. rubella Smith (= C. ferruginea) were also designated. In addition, due to the impossibility of identifying C. thoracica and the misplacement of its type material, it is proposed to consider it nomen dubium and place it incertae sedis.
Subject(s)
Hymenoptera , Animal Distribution , Animals , Bees , Entomology , France , United KingdomABSTRACT
In this paper some primary types of Centris bees described by Sándor Mocsáry and Heinrich Friese deposited at Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum, Hungary were studied. To stabilize the application of some names, lectotypes were designated for C. aeneiventris Mocsáry, C. bicornuta Mocsáry, C. flavilabris Mocsáry, C. fulviventris Mocsáry, C. lineolata castaniventris Mocsáry, C. zonata Mocsáry, C. labiata Friese, C. klugii Friese, and C. fusciventris scutellata Friese. In addition, C. aeneiventris, C. intermixta Friese and C. pseudoephippia Friese are proposed as new junior synonymies of C. ephippia Smith. This latter species, along with C. scutellata are transferred to C. (Melanocentris) Friese from the subgenera C. (Ptilocentris) Snelling and C. (Aphemisia) Ayala, respectively. Taxonomic notes on type material of C. bicornuta and C. conspersa Mocsáry are also provided.
Subject(s)
Bees , Animal Distribution , Animals , HungaryABSTRACT
Diapause is a physiological arrest of development ahead of adverse environmental conditions and is a critical phase of the life cycle of many insects. In bees, diapause has been reported in species from all seven taxonomic families. However, they exhibit a variety of diapause strategies. These different strategies are of particular interest since shifts in the phase of the insect life cycle in which diapause occurs have been hypothesized to promote the evolution of sociality. Here we provide a comprehensive evaluation of this hypothesis with phylogenetic analysis and ancestral state reconstruction (ASR) of the ecological and evolutionary factors associated with diapause phase. We find that social lifestyle, latitude and voltinism are significant predictors of the life stage in which diapause occurs. ASR revealed that the most recent common ancestor of all bees likely exhibited developmental diapause and shifts to adult, reproductive, or no diapause have occurred in the ancestors of lineages in which social behaviour has evolved. These results provide fresh insight regarding the role of diapause as a prerequisite for the evolution of sociality in bees.