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Resin-foraging by colonies of Trigona sapiens and T. hockingsi (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Meliponini) and consequent seed dispersal of Corymbia torelliana (Myrtaceae).

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Wallace, H.M. and Lee, D.J. (2010) Resin-foraging by colonies of Trigona sapiens and T. hockingsi (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Meliponini) and consequent seed dispersal of Corymbia torelliana (Myrtaceae). Apidologie, 41 (4). pp. 428-435.

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Article Link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/apido/2009074

Publisher URL: http://www.edpsciences.org

Abstract

Resins are a critical resource for stingless bees and resin-collecting bees act as seed dispersers in tropical plants. We describe the diurnal foraging patterns of colonies of Trigona sapiens and T. hockingsi on resin and pollen. We also document patterns of waste removal and seed dispersal of Corymbia torelliana. At most, only 10% of foragers collected resin or dispersed seed. Nevertheless, bees dispersed 1-3 seeds outside the nest per 5 minutes, and 38-114 seeds per day for each nest. The proportion of returning bees carrying pollen was highest in the morning for both species. The proportion of foragers returning with resin loads showed no significant diurnal variation in any season. Waste removal activity peaked in the afternoon for T. sapiens and in the morning for T. hockingsi. Seed removal peaked in the afternoon in one year only for T. sapiens. Bees dispersed thousands of seeds of C. torelliana over the season even though only a small proportion of the colony was engaged in seed transport.

Item Type:Article
Corporate Creators:DEEDI
Additional Information:© INRA/DIB-AGIB/EDP Sciences.
Keywords:Stingless bees; mellitochory; seed dispersal; resin; Corymbia; long-distance dispersal; Trigona carbonaria; Hymenoptera; flower constancy; information; nectar; beecheii; behavior; biology; plants.
Subjects:Science > Zoology > Invertebrates > Insects
Animal culture > Insect culture and beneficial insects > Bee culture
Plant culture > Propagation
Live Archive:10 Nov 2010 23:38
Last Modified:03 Sep 2021 16:48

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