Body size and flight distance in stingless bees (Hymenoptera: Meliponini): inference of flight range and possible ecological implications

Brazilian Journal of Biology

E. D. Araújo²  M. Costa¹  J. Chaud-netto¹  H. G. Fowler¹ 

[1] ,Grupo de Pesquisa em Comportamento AnimalAracaju SE ,Brazil

关键词: flight distance;    local populations;    morphometry;    multivariate analysis;    distância de vôo;    populações locais;    morfometria;    análise multivariada;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S1519-69842004000400003

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

We examined the spatial implications of maximum flight distance for several species of stingless bees. Data suggested that maximum flight distance in Meliponini is a function of body size, especially generalized wing size, which can be estimated through principal component analysis. For six species of stingless bees, flight distances and generalized wing sizes were highly correlated (r = 0.938). This indicates that species of Meliponini occupy an effectively larger area as body size increases, which has important implications in the spatial dynamics of local populations restricted to forest fragments. We also used the fitted linear regression model to estimate the maximum flight distance for 12 other species of Meliponini. The results of this research may provide insights for future studies of biological conservation.

【 授权许可】

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