Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation
Alternative Title
Comportamiento de agregación y la propiedad de nido de Crawfodapis luctuosa (Diphaglossinae: Apidae)
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Publication Date
August 2008
Abstract
Crawfordapis luctuosa is a large, black, diurnal bee found in aggregations on exposed clay sites above 1500m in elevation from the highlands of Mexico to Panama. Many past studies have attempted to classify the exact sociality and nest ownership of this species; this study follows their examples in an attempt to better define these behaviors. Data was gathered on nest usage, visitation behavior as well as aggressive and non-aggressive interactions. This study reaches no definite conclusions as to the patterns of nest ownership in the five days of observation. Individuals consistently visited more than one nest and up to seven different nests. These multiple visits are likely searches for abandoned nests or new nests if previous nests have been stolen by Pseudoxycheila tarsalis or other members of the colony. Instances of two bees inhabiting the same nest simultaneously were observed and concluded to demonstrate a degree of cooperation, though some interactions ended violently. This study has concluded that C. luctuosa is a mostly solitary bee and that interactions between individuals are mostly random, and although there is evidence of both cooperation and competition within the colony, it is limited.
Resumen
Crawfordapis luctuosa es una abeja grande, negra y diurna encontrada en agregaciones en sitios arcillosos expuestos por encima de los 1500m, en las zonas altas desde México hasta Panamá. Muchos estudios anteriores han intentado clasificar la propiedad exacta de la sociabilidad y de la jerarquía de esta especie. Este estudio sigue sus ejemplos en un intento por definir mejor estos comportamientos.
Keywords
Bees--Behavior, CIEE Summer 2008
Palabras claves
Abejas--Comportamiento, CIEE Verano 2008
Extent
9 pages
Geographic Location
Monteverde (Puntarenas, Costa Rica)
Holding Location
Monteverde Institute
Language
English; Spanish
Media Type
Articles
Format
Digital Only
Identifier
M39-00476
Type
Book
Recommended Citation
Spaht, Nathan J., "Aggregational behavior and nest ownership of Crawfodapis luctuosa (Diphaglossinae: Apidae), August 2008" (2008). Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation. 6.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/tropical_ecology/6