Fenología de abejas euglossinas y su interacción con las orquídeas en un bosque humedo tropical de Costa Rica
Date
Authors
Rengifo Alfonso, Nicolás
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
La polinización es una interacción clave para la biodiversidad y los ecosistemas. En los trópicos, las abejas Euglossini desempeñan un papel crucial en la polinización de las orquídeas, pero se sabe poco sobre cómo los cambios climáticos, como las precipitaciones, afectan a estas interacciones. Aunque las abejas dependen de los recursos florales, la dinámica de estas relaciones varía con el tiempo. La fenología estudia los ciclos biológicos y sus relaciones con el clima, que afectan a la abundancia de insectos a lo largo del año. Este estudio analiza cómo interactúan las abejas Euglossini y las orquídeas en un bosque tropical húmedo de Costa Rica y cómo influye la precipitación en esas interacciones. La investigación se llevó a cabo en la Estación Biológica La Selva, Costa Rica, que se caracteriza por un clima tropical húmedo. Se recogieron muestras mensuales de machos de abejas Euglossini mediante cebos químicos. Se contaron todos los machos y se colectaron aquellos que tenían polinarios en sus cuerpos, para construir redes de interacción bipartitas y ver el efecto de la precipitación en la riqueza, abundancia de los machos y los cambios en las redes de interacción entre las temporadas de bajas y altas precipitaciones. Un total de 4994 machos fueron contados y fueron capturados 623 machos que contenían 643 polinarios. Se encontraron patrones de estacionalidad en 20 especies de euglosinos, y 4 mostraron correlaciones significativas con las precipitaciones. La red durante la estación lluviosa fue relativamente grande, pero ambas estaciones tuvieron valores similares de anidamiento. Hubo una correlación positiva entre la abundancia de machos euglosinos y polinarios. Este estudio es pionero en documentar la fenología de las interacciones entre las abejas Euglossini y las orquídeas en la región Neotropical, destacando el impacto de la precipitación en estas redes ecológicas. A diferencia de estudios anteriores en los que las interacciones se concentraban en las estaciones secas, se observó una mayor actividad durante la estación lluviosa. Futuros estudios deberán integrar herramientas moleculares y análisis químicos para mejorar la identificación de especies y comprender mejor las relaciones entre las abejas Euglossini y las orquídeas.
Euglossini bees pollinate many species of orchids and other plants in the tropical forest. Studies show that there is no seasonality for many Euglossini species except for Eufriesea, which is influenced by rainfall patterns. The research was carried out at the La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica, which is characterized by a humid tropical climate. Male Euglossini bees were sampled monthly in the tropical rain forest at the La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica to test for seasonality and relative abundance of orchid bees. In a period of 12 months, a total of 4,994 male Euglossini bees were captured using chemical baits, distributed in 4 genera and 31 species. Euglossa purpurea was the most abundant species. The dry season, from the month of January to April, presented less diversity and abundance than did the rainy season, from the month of May to December. Seasonality patterns were found in 20 species, and 4 showed significant correlations with precipitation. A statistical model confirmed that precipitation significantly influences the abundance of bees. Significant differences were also detected between climatic seasons for some bee species. Costa Rica has approximately 65 species of Euglossini bees, 31 of which have been recorded at the La Selva Biological Station, including new records for Eufriesea and Euglossa. The communities of these bees vary dynamically and are influenced by precipitation, affecting their abundance and patterns of seasonality. Studies suggest that climate change may influence these dynamics, highlighting the need for long-term research to conserve these pollinators and the plants that depend on them.
Pollination is a key interaction for biodiversity and ecosystems. In the neotropics, Euglossini bees play a crucial role in orchid pollination, but little is known about how climate changes, such as precipitation, affect these interactions. Although bees depend on flower resources, the dynamics of these relationships vary over time. This study analyzes how Euglossini bees and Orchidaceae interact in a humid tropical forest in Costa Rica and how precipitation influences those interactions. The study was conducted at the La Selva Biological Station, a tropical rainforest in Costa Rica, between February 2023 and January 2024. Male Euglossini bees were captured using six chemical attractants. The interactions between bees and orchids were analyzed through bipartite networks and various network metrics, such as specialization, nesting, and modularity. The effects of precipitation on the abundance of bees and pollinaria were also evaluated through linear regressions and network comparisons. A total of 643 pollinaria of orchids and 623 male Euglossini bees were collected, representing 25 species. Gongora spp. were the dominant species. In the dry season, 178 pollinaria from 17 species were collected, and in the rainy season, 465 pollinaria from 27 species were collected. A total of 96 interactions between bees and orchids were identified, revealing differences between seasons. The network during the rainy season was relatively large, but both stations had similar levels of nesting. There was a positive correlation between males and pollinaria. This study is pioneering in documenting the phenology of the interactions between Euglossini bees and orchids in the Neotropical region, highlighting the impact of precipitation on these ecological networks. Unlike previous studies where interactions were concentrated in dry seasons, greater activity was observed during the rainy season. Future studies should integrate molecular tools and chemical analyses to improve species identification and better understand the relationships between these pollinators and orchids.
Euglossini bees pollinate many species of orchids and other plants in the tropical forest. Studies show that there is no seasonality for many Euglossini species except for Eufriesea, which is influenced by rainfall patterns. The research was carried out at the La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica, which is characterized by a humid tropical climate. Male Euglossini bees were sampled monthly in the tropical rain forest at the La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica to test for seasonality and relative abundance of orchid bees. In a period of 12 months, a total of 4,994 male Euglossini bees were captured using chemical baits, distributed in 4 genera and 31 species. Euglossa purpurea was the most abundant species. The dry season, from the month of January to April, presented less diversity and abundance than did the rainy season, from the month of May to December. Seasonality patterns were found in 20 species, and 4 showed significant correlations with precipitation. A statistical model confirmed that precipitation significantly influences the abundance of bees. Significant differences were also detected between climatic seasons for some bee species. Costa Rica has approximately 65 species of Euglossini bees, 31 of which have been recorded at the La Selva Biological Station, including new records for Eufriesea and Euglossa. The communities of these bees vary dynamically and are influenced by precipitation, affecting their abundance and patterns of seasonality. Studies suggest that climate change may influence these dynamics, highlighting the need for long-term research to conserve these pollinators and the plants that depend on them.
Pollination is a key interaction for biodiversity and ecosystems. In the neotropics, Euglossini bees play a crucial role in orchid pollination, but little is known about how climate changes, such as precipitation, affect these interactions. Although bees depend on flower resources, the dynamics of these relationships vary over time. This study analyzes how Euglossini bees and Orchidaceae interact in a humid tropical forest in Costa Rica and how precipitation influences those interactions. The study was conducted at the La Selva Biological Station, a tropical rainforest in Costa Rica, between February 2023 and January 2024. Male Euglossini bees were captured using six chemical attractants. The interactions between bees and orchids were analyzed through bipartite networks and various network metrics, such as specialization, nesting, and modularity. The effects of precipitation on the abundance of bees and pollinaria were also evaluated through linear regressions and network comparisons. A total of 643 pollinaria of orchids and 623 male Euglossini bees were collected, representing 25 species. Gongora spp. were the dominant species. In the dry season, 178 pollinaria from 17 species were collected, and in the rainy season, 465 pollinaria from 27 species were collected. A total of 96 interactions between bees and orchids were identified, revealing differences between seasons. The network during the rainy season was relatively large, but both stations had similar levels of nesting. There was a positive correlation between males and pollinaria. This study is pioneering in documenting the phenology of the interactions between Euglossini bees and orchids in the Neotropical region, highlighting the impact of precipitation on these ecological networks. Unlike previous studies where interactions were concentrated in dry seasons, greater activity was observed during the rainy season. Future studies should integrate molecular tools and chemical analyses to improve species identification and better understand the relationships between these pollinators and orchids.
Description
Keywords
pollination, interactions, Euglossini