The influence of habitat and species attributes on the density and nest spacing of a stingless bee (Meliponini) in the Atlantic Rainforest.

摘要: T. spinipes lives in perennial eusocial colonies and builds nests exposed on tree branches. Why this habitat generalist with cannot nest successfully forest habitats is intriguing. This study explores the hypothesis species reaches higher densities vegetation open canopies subsidiary shading hypothesis, assuming failure of closed canopy rainforest. As shows basic attributes territorial foraging groups, uniform spacing also tested. Comparative field data density adjacent are used to test these hypotheses. In random 40 20x200m plots rubber groves, 18 were recorded. for a single stingless bee was approximately 36 times than The high groves associated regular spatial distribution nests. ostensive patrolling distances from probably operates at short distances, which still corresponds large areas such small bee.We conclude that: faces powerful nesting constraints ever green rainforest habitats; as approaches threshold, mechanism regulates access prospective sites; availability sunny sites within deciduous trees favours its wide spread where agroforestry system dominates.