Trap nest preference of solitary bees in fragments of the Baturité massif, Atlantic Forest, Brazil

Abstract The study investigated native solitary bee species that nest in pre-existing cavities in the Baturité Massif, State of Ceará, Brazil, their preference for nest substrates and aspects of these bee communities. Samples were taken in four distinct areas of the Baturité Massif using three types of trap-nests: dried bamboo internodes, cardboard tubes and rational boxes. Out of the 185 nests offered, 34 were colonized and 24 of them produced 131 bees, belonging to two families (Apidae and Megachilidae) and five genera (Centris, Mesocheira, Euglossa, Megachile and Coelioxys) from six species, including parasitic ones. Nesting preference was observed to certain types of substrates (χ²=17.89, p<0.001), with bamboo internodes being preferred by bee to build their nests, while monthly variation in temperature and humidity did not affect bee emergency. Spite of few nests foundations and the few species sampled, this work contributed to an unprecedented knowledge about the species that use pre-existing cavities in the Baturité Massif that may contribute to assist in the maintenance and conservation of this mountainous area and can be useful for pollination services of native and agricultural plants.

摘要：本研究针对巴西塞阿拉州巴图里蒂地块（Baturité Massif）内栖息于预存筑巢空腔的本地独居蜂类展开调查，探讨其筑巢基质偏好与该蜂类群落的相关特征。研究人员在该地块的4个不同区域布设3类诱集巢：干燥竹节段、硬纸筒与制式巢盒。在共计提供的185个诱集巢中，34个被蜂类成功定居筑巢，其中24个巢成功繁育出131只成蜂，这些蜂隶属于2个科（蜜蜂科Apidae、切叶蜂科Megachilidae）、5个属（长角蜂属Centris、Mesocheira、兰花蜂属Euglossa、切叶蜂属Megachile、尖腹蜂属Coelioxys），涵盖6个物种，其中包含寄生性蜂类。统计分析结果显示（χ²=17.89，p<0.001），蜂类对筑巢基质存在显著偏好，干燥竹节段为其最优选的筑巢场所；而月度温湿度变化并未对蜂类羽化产生影响。尽管本次研究的筑巢巢量与采样物种数量均较为有限，但本研究首次为巴图里蒂地块内利用预存筑巢空腔筑巢的蜂类物种积累了前所未有的认知，其成果可为该山地生态系统的维护与保护提供助力，同时可为本地野生植物与农业作物的授粉服务提供参考依据。