Communities of Social Bees (Apidae: Meliponini) in Trap-Nests: the Spatial Dynamics of Reproduction in an Area of Atlantic Forest

摘要: As most stingless bee species depend on preexisting cavities, principally tree hollows, nesting site availability may represent an important restriction in the structuring of their forest communities. The present study examined spatial dynamics communities area Atlantic Forest by evaluating swarming to trap-nests. field work was performed Michelin Ecological Reserve (MER) southeastern coast state Bahia, Brazil. Seven hundred and twenty trap-nests were distributed within two habitats advanced initial stages regeneration. monitored between September 2009 March 2011. Twenty-five occupied five species, resulting a capture ratio 0.035 swarms/trap (approximately 0.14 swarms/ha), corresponding 10 swarms/year (0.056 swarms/ha/year). According previous at MER, abundant natural nests also common examined, with exception Melipona scutellaris Latreille. Swarms higher numbers captured regeneration stage forests than areas, differences compositions significant both (p = 0.03); these apparent not consistent, however, when considering richness (p = 0.14) total abundance (p = 0.08). suggests existence minimum cavity size threshold approximately 1 L for local bees sustains hypothesis mass effect Tetragonisca angustula Latreille populations from surrounding disturbed MER community terms propagule (swarm) pressure. Examining swarm densities can be promising technique comparative analyses carrying capacities colonies, as long thresholds cavities are taken into consideration.