Nesting Biology of Sympatric Species of Megachilidae Bees in a Conservation Area in Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Megachilidae bees are important pollinators in the Neotropical region, however information on the ecology and behavior of these species is still scarce. The objective of this study was to analyze the nesting biology of sympatric species in the União Biological Reserve, a remnant of Atlantic Forest in the southeastern Brazil. Our results indicated the occurrence of 17 species, representing significant richness compared to other areas in the Atlantic Forest. Five sympatric species built ¾ of all nests found and the architecture of their nests was studied including, for the first time, nests of a species of Megachile (Ptilosarus). The use of petals or leaf fragments in the construction of the nests was observed for species of Megachile (Chrysosarus), confirming previous data. The nesting activity period in the trap-nests occurred mainly in the rainy season, with different peaks among the species. The results indicate that the distinctive characteristics of the species, such as the type of material used in the nests, the dimensions of cavities, and the asynchronous nesting period, could be important for the niche differentiation of these sympatric species, allowing the maintenance and the survival of the most abundant Megachilidae populations in the area

Seasonal Variation in Bee-Plant Interactions in an Inselberg in the Atlantic Forest in Southeastern Brazil

Studies on bee-plant interactions are relevant to the understanding of temporal patterns in neotropical communities. In isolated habitats such as inselbergs little is yet known about the temporal dynamics in the availability of fl oral resources and interacting bee. In the present study, the objective is to verify the eff ect of seasonality on the bee-plant interaction in an Atlantic Forest inselberg in southeastern Brazil. The bees were sampled monthly in the dry (April/2008-September/2008) and wet seasons (October/2008-March/2009) using an entomological net. A total of 322 bees of 33 species were captured on fl owers of 34 species of plants during the year. Bees richness was similar between seasons (22 species in the wet season and 21 in the dry season), but abundance was higher in the wet season (60% of individuals) and higher diversity occurred in the dry season. Augochloropsis sp1 were the most abundant species and visited the largest number of plant species at each season. In the interaction network, plants with the highest degree were distinct between the seasons. The number of possible interactions was higher in the dry season compared to the wet season and connectance was similar; nestedness however varied between the seasons. The composition of plant and bees species was distinct between the seasons, as well as the interactions between them, mainly due to the alteration in the composition of the plant species and the change in the choice of the bees for the floral resources between the seasons

Comparing the Structure and Robustness of Passifloraceae - Floral Visitor and True Pollinator Networks in a Lowland Atlantic Forest

We investigated the plant-pollinator interactions of Passifloraceae occurring in fragments of lowland semi-deciduous Atlantic forest. We described floral biology, pollination syndromes and the pollinators of Passiflora alata, Passiflora kermesina, Passiflora suberosa, Passiflora malacophylla and Mitostemma glaziovii. We examined the robustness of the interaction networks to species loss, a plausible scenario resulting from forest fragmentation. The effects of pollination syndrome (flower size) on network robustness was also examined. Passiflora alata, P. malacophylla and P. suberosa were pollinated by bees of different corporal sizes. P. kermesina and M. glaziovii presented the highest diversity of visitors and were pollinated mainly by hummingbirds and butterflies, respectively. Through the analysis of the networks we differentiate the structures of the flower-visitor network with the ‘true’ plant-pollinator network. The robustness of the flower-visitor network to animal loss was generally high, but it declined when only true pollinators were included in the network. The sequential loss of plants from the flower-visitor network resulted in low robustness: the loss of key plants could have significant cascading effects on the animals feeding on them within the forest fragment. Future studies should consider the interactions between all flowering plants and animals in this habitat in order to guide conservation and management plans for these forest fragments

Does Forest Phisiognomy affect the Structure of Orchid Bee (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Euglossini) Communities? A Study in the Atlantic Forest of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil

We describe and discuss the composition, abundance and diversity of euglossine in three vegetation types of the Atlantic Forest (Lowland Seasonal Semideciduous, Submontane Seasonal and Dense Montane Ombrophilous Forest) in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, compare them to previous studies in the region and investigate the importance of the vegetation types, climatic and geomorphological factors on the species composition. Male euglossine bees attracted by fragrances were sampled monthly from August/2008 to July/2009 using entomological nets and traps. Euglossine bee communities exhibited differences in their species composition and abundance along the year and in the vegetation types. The precipitation, altitude and vegetation types demonstrated a significant influence on the ordination of the euglossine communities. Our study found differences in the composition of euglossine bee communities as well as in their patterns of abundance and dominance among different vegetation formations, stressing the importance of the conservation of landscape mosaics in the region

Checklist das abelhas coletoras de óleos do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

Neste trabalho uma lista atualizada das espécies de abelhas coletoras de óleo do Estado de São Paulo é apresentada, com suas ocorrências associadas aos grandes biomas do estado: Floresta Atlântica e Cerrado. Alguns dados sobre a biologia das espécies mais comuns são apresentados. Discutem-se as lacunas existentes em termos de amostragem no estado.In this study a current list of the oil-collecting bees from São Paulo State is presented, with their occurrences associated to the mainly biomes of the state: Atlantic Rainforest and Cerrado. Some data on the biology of the common species are presented. We discuss about the sample gaps for the state

The use of different stingless bee species to pollinate cherry tomatoes under protected cultivation

Under standard greenhouse conditions, the tomato fruits of spontaneous self-pollination are expected to be of lower quality than those of bee pollination, as well as that simultaneously use different bee species which can complement pollination services. To test these hypotheses, we evaluated the complementarity of pollination services from the use of three native stingless bee species that have distinct foraging behaviors, Melipona bicolor Lepeletier 1836, Nannotrigona testaceicornis (Lepeletier 1836) and Partamona helleri (Friese 1900) during flowering of cherry tomatoes in greenhouses. Fruit quality parameters resulted from pollination experiments were measured and the acclimatization of the analyzed bee species was evaluated. Visits of M. bicolor and N. testaceicornis to the tomato flowers contributed significantly to the increase in the average weight, seed number, and thickness of the pericarp (only for N. testaceicornis) of the fruits, compared to the spontaneous self-pollination treatment. Partamona helleri, however, did not show any pollen collection behavior in the experimental conditions. Although N. testaceicornis do not perform the buzzing behavior, fruits from its pollination were equivalent to those fruits from pollination by M. bicolor. The simultaneous use of bee species with different flower-visiting behaviors can optimize tomato pollination in greenhouses, contributing significantly to the quality of the fruits and the increase of productivity and consequently the commercial value

HISTÓRIA NATURAL DAS ABELHAS COLETORAS DE ÓLEO

There are about 330 species of bees that use oil collected from flowers to feed the larvae and to surface the brood cells, they belong to the Melittinae (Melittidae), Ctenoplectrini, Centridini, Tapinostapidini and Tetrapediini (Apidae). From these groups the last three tribes are exclusively from the west hemisphere and especially diverse in the Neotropical region. Oil-bees have modifications on the legs or sternum (Tapinotaspoides) to sample, manipulate and transport the oil. These structures are usually correlated with the different type of elaiophores (the oil secreting glands): epithelial or trichomatic. It is estimated that more then 1800 plant species of 9 families offer floral oil as resource, being Malpighiaceae the most important. In this study we organized a revision about the nesting process of some oil collecting bees as well their association to the oil plants. The oilbees are most solitary, but some nest aggregated. The ground nesting species use flat soil or banks (like Epicharis, Monoeca, Lanthanomelissa), and there are some that use nest of termites and ants (like Ptilotopus), or wood pre-existing cavities (like Tetrapedia). Parasites are usually cleptoparasite bees like Coelioxys, Coelioxoides, Mesoplia, Mesocheira, Protosiris, Paraepeolus that oviposite inside the brood cell and their larvae (with sharp mandibles) kill the host egg or larvae. Besides all the knowledge accumulated about the oil-colleting bees some questions remain open about the use of this product.  Existem cerca de 330 espécies de abelhas que usam óleo coletado em flores para alimentar as larvas e revestir as células de cria, e pertencem aos grupos Melittinae (Melittidae), Centridini, Tapinostapidini e Tetrapediini (Apidae). As últimas três tribos são exclusivamente do hemisfério oeste e especialmente diversas na região Neotropical. Abelhas coletoras de óleo possuem modificações nas pernas ou esterno (Tapinotaspoides) para coletar, manipular e transportar o óleo. Essas estruturas normalmente são relacionadas aos diferentes tipos de elaióforos (as glândulas secretoras de óleo): epitelial ou em tricomas. Estima-se que mais de 1800 espécies de plantas de nove famílias ofereçam óleo floral como recurso, sendo Malpighiaceae a mais importante. Neste trabalho organizamos uma revisão sobre o processo de nidificação de algumas abelhas coletoras de óleo, bem como sobre associação com as plantas produtoras de óleo. As abelhas coletoras de óleo são de vida solitária, mas algumas espécies nidificam em agregação. As espécies que fazem ninho no solo usam superfícies planas ou barrancos (como Epicharis, Monoeca, Lanthanomelissa). Existem espécies que utilizam ninhos de cupins e formigas (como Ptilotopus) ou cavidades pré-existentes (como Tetrapedia). Os parasitas geralmente são abelhas cleptoparasitas como Coelioxys, Coelioxoides, Mesoplia, Mesocheira, Protosiris, Paraepeolus, que ovipositam dentro da célula de cria e suas larvas (com mandíbulas afiadas) matam o ovo ou larva da hospedeira. Apesar de todo avanço no conhecimento sobre as abelhas coletoras de óleo ainda restam questões a serem desvendadas sobre a utilização deste produto pelas abelha

Orchid bees: a new assessment on the rarity of diploid males in populations of this group of Neotropical pollinators

International audienceAbstractThe incidence of diploid males among 1457 individuals of different populations of six euglossine bee species (Eufriesea violacea, Eulaema cingulata, Euglossa annectans, Euglossa iopoecila, Euglossa pleosticta and Euglossa truncata) was investigated with microsatellite markers. Bees were surveyed in Atlantic Forest fragments showing different sizes and degrees of human interference. Our analyses revealed that, although the frequencies of diploid males remained below 10 % for five out of six species studied, the frequencies of these males in three populations of Eg. annectans were above 15.0 %. For this species, while the average estimate of diploid males was around 11.0 %, the highest percentage (27 %) of such males was found for the population from an island. Our findings indicate that the frequency of diploid males can vary substantially among species and this fact should be taking into consideration in studies and conservation actions involving different euglossine bees

Estabilidade em armazenamento da carne de tilápia‑do‑nilo mecanicamente separada, lavada, adicionada de conservantes e congelada

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência do processo de lavagem e da adição de eritorbato de sódio e tripolifosfato de sódio na estabilidade de carne mecanicamente separada (CMS), obtida a partir de resíduos da filetagem de tilápia‑do‑nilo (Oreochromis niloticus). Foram avaliados quatro tratamentos, em triplicata: CMS, lavada ou não e armazenada, com ou sem a adição de conservantes, durante 180 dias de armazenamento a ‑18ºC. Para a avaliação da estabilidade, foram realizadas análises microbiológicas de nitrogênio não proteico, bases nitrogenadas voláteis, oxidação lipídica pelo índice de Tbars, valor de pH e perda de líquido por descongelamento ("drip"). O processo de lavagem elevou o teor de umidade e diminuiu os teores de proteína bruta, lipídios e cinzas na CMS, bem como os níveis de nitrogênio não proteico, bases nitrogenadas voláteis e oxidação lipídica após a lavagem. Durante o armazenamento, não foram detectadas diferenças nos teores de nitrogênio não proteico, pH e "drip", mas houve aumento nos valores de bases nitrogenadas voláteis. O processo de lavagem favorece a estabilidade da CMS de tilápia, e a adição de tripolifosfato e eritorbato de sódio reduz a oxidação lipídica do produto não lavado.The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of the washing process and of the addition of sodium erythorbate and sodium tripolyphosphate on the stability of mechanically separated meat (MSM), obtained from Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) filleting waste. Four treatments were evaluated, in triplicate: washed or nonwashed MSM, stored with or without the addition of preservatives, during 180 day storage at ‑18ºC. To evaluate stability, microbiological, nonprotein nitrogen, volatile basic nitrogen, lipid oxidation by Tbars index, pH value, and drip loss analyses were carried out. The washing process increased moisture content and decreased crude protein, fat, and ash contents in MSM, as well as the levels of nonprotein nitrogen, volatile basic nitrogen, and lipid oxidation after washing. During storage, no differences were detected for nonprotein nitrogen levels, pH values, and drip loss, but there was an increase in volatile basic nitrogen values. The washing process favors tilapia MSM stability, and the addition of sodium tripolyphosphate and erythorbate reduces lipid oxidation of the unwashed product