Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]

Alternative Title

Efectos de disponibilidad del nido en el comportamiento de una abeja solitaria Crawfordapis luctuosa

Creator

Erika Blackwell

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Publication Date

May 2003

Abstract

Intra-specific interference competition behavior arises when one organism prevents another from utilizing a resource (Begon, et al. 1990). This resource can be mating partners, a food source, or habitat, but it is often less expensive for the organism to defend the resource than to find another. In this study, 60 nest hole entrances were barred in percentages of 25%, and 50%, in order to study the interactions of Crawfordapis luctuosa (Apoidea, Colletidae, Diphaglossinae) in the presence of depleted nest hole availability. The study was conducted in Monteverde, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica, at a large nest aggregation approximately 1740 meters in elevation on Cerro Amigos. It was found that with an increasing number of holes covered, the mean lengths of visits increased (t-Test, F = 3, 452, P = .032), as well as the incidence of long visits (Fisher’s PLSD post hoc, MD = .407, P = .044), and long visits from 25% of 50% coverage (Fisher’s PLSD post hoc test, MD = .612, P = .003). It was also found that with an increasing percentage of holes covered, crawling and digging behavior increased (chi-square test, X2 = 6.533, df = 2, P = .038), as well as the overall incidence of aggressive interactions (chi-square test, X2 = 25.609, df = 2, P < .05). Also, twenty-six new nest holes were constructed during the study. It was hypothesized that the bees who spent the most time digging were also the main participants in aggressive interactions. These were “provisioning” females with a high energetic investment in a single nest. These aggressive interactions in C. luctuosa are previously unobserved, and therefore makes C. luctuosa an excellent subject for the study of competition and evolution of sociality.

Resumen

Los comportamientos de competencia de interferencia intraespecífica surgen cuando un organismo previene al otro de utilizar un recurso (Begon, et al. 1990). Este recurso puede ser una pareja, una fuente de alimento, o un hábitat, pero muchas veces es menos costoso para el organismo defender el recurso que buscar otro. En este estudio, se impidieron 60 entradas de hueco de nidos en porcentajes de 25%, y 50%, para estudiar las interacciones de Crawfordapis luctuosa (Apoidea, Colletidae, Diphaglossinae) en la presencia de la disponibilidad agotada de huecos de nido. El estudio se condujo en Monteverde, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, en un conglomerado grande de nidos aproximadamente a los 1740m de altura en Cerro Amigos. Se encontró que con un número creciente de huecos cubiertos, los promedios de tiempo de visitas aumentaron (t-Test, F = 3, 452, P = .032), así como la incidencia de visitas largas (Fisher’s PLSD prueba post hoc, MD = .407, P = .044), y las visitas largas de 25% de 50% cobertura (Fisher’s PLSD prueba post hoc, M D = .612, P = .003). Se encontró también que con un porcentaje creciente de huecos cubiertos, se aumentaron los comportamientos de gatear y excavar (prueba de chi cuadrado, X2 = 6.533, df = 2, P = .038), así como la incidencia general de interacciones agresivas (prueba de chi cuadrado, X2 = 25.609, df = 2, P < .05). También, se construyeron 26 huecos nuevos de nido durante el estudio. Se conjeturó que las abejas que pasaron la mayoría de su tiempo excavando eran también los participantes principales en las interacciones agresivas. Estas eran hembras “de provisión” con una inversión energética alta en un solo nido. Estas interacciones agresivas en C. luctuosa no se observaron previamente, y por lo tanto C. luctuosa es un sujeto excelente para el estudio de la competencia y la evolución de comportamiento social.

Keywords

Bees--Behavior, CIEE Spring 2003

Palabras claves

Abejas--Comportamiento, CIEE Primavera 2003

Extent

13 pages

Geographic Location

Monteverde (Puntarenas, Costa Rica)

Holding Location

Monteverde Institute

Language

English; Spanish

Media Type

Articles

Format

Digital Only

Identifier

M39-00139

Type

Book

Affects of nest availability on behavior of Crawfordapis luctuosa, a solitary bee, May 2003

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