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Floral resource use and interactions between Apis mellifera and native bees in cucurbit crops in Yucatán, México

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 April 2012

Miguel Angel Pinkus-Rendon ,
Víctor Parra-Tabla  and
Virginia Meléndez-Ramírez
Miguel Angel Pinkus-Rendon
Affiliation:
Departamento de Ecología, Campus de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Apdo. Postal 4–116, Col. Itzimná, 97100 Mérida, Yucatán, México
Víctor Parra-Tabla
Affiliation:
Departamento de Ecología, Campus de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Apdo. Postal 4–116, Col. Itzimná, 97100 Mérida, Yucatán, México
Virginia Meléndez-Ramírez*
Affiliation:
Departamento de Zoología, Campus de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Apdo. Postal 4-116, Col. Itzimná, 97100 Mérida, Yucatán, México
*
1Corresponding author (e-mail: virmelen@tunku.uady.mx).
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Abstract

Despite the importance of native pollinators in agricultural systems, little is known about the potential competitive interactions among them or the way they exploit crops' floral resources. This study determines the temporal use of floral resources by, and interspecific interactions between, native bees and Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in experimental plots of squash, Cucurbita moschata (Duchesne ex Lam.) Duchesne ex Poir. (Cucurbitaceae), and watermelon, Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) (Cucurbitaceae). General and specific niche overlap analyses were done to determine whether temporally differential use of floral resources occurred. Direct displacement interactions at the floral level were quantified. The species with the greatest abundances were Peponapis limitaris Cockerell (Apidae), Partamona bilineata Say (Apidae), and A. mellifera. Overall, the niche overlap analyses in both crops suggested that floral resources are not used simultaneously by different bee species. Winner events during aggressive encounters suggested a hierarchy among bee species, with A. mellifera being one of the species with more winner encounters in both crops. It is suggested that those deciding whether or not to introduce A. mellifera into crops should consider whether the abundance of native bee species is sufficient to ensure efficient fruit production.

Résumé

Malgré l'importance des pollinisateurs indigènes dans les systèmes agricoles, on connaît peu de choses sur la manière dont ils exploitent les ressources florales des cultures et sur les interactions compétitives qui peuvent s'établir entre eux. Notre étude détermine l'utilisation temporelle des ressources florales par les abeilles indigènes et par Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae), ainsi que les interactions interspécifiques entre elles, dans des parcelles expérimentales de culture de courges, Cucurbita moschata (Duchesne ex Lam.) Duchesne ex Poir. (Cucurbitaceae), et de pastèques, Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) (Cucurbitaceae). Des analyses générales et spécifiques de chevauchement de niches ont servi à déterminer s'il y a des différences temporelles d'utilisation des ressources florales. Nous avons dénombré les interactions de déplacement direct au niveau des fleurs. Les espèces les plus abondantes sont Peponapis limitaris Cockerell (Apidae), Partamona bilineata Say (Apidae) et A. mellifera. Dans leur ensemble, les analyses de chevauchement de niches dans les deux types de cultures indiquent que les ressources florales ne sont pas utilisées simultanément par les différentes espèces d'abeilles. L'identité des gagnants lors des épisodes de rencontres agressives laisse croire qu'il existe une hiérarchie au sein des espèces d'abeilles et qu'A. mellifera est l'une des espèces qui gagne plus souvent que les autres lors de ces rencontres dans les deux types de cultures. Nous suggérons qu'avant de décider d'introduire ou non A. mellifera dans les cultures, on devrait déterminer si l'abondance des espèces indigènes d'abeilles est suffisante pour assurer une production efficace de fruits.

[Traduit par la Rédaction]

Type
Articles
Information
The Canadian Entomologist , Volume 137 , Issue 4 , August 2005 , pp. 441 - 449
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 2005

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