Vol 7 Num 1




Ecology of nesting of bees of the genus Partamona  in caatinga, Milagres, Bahia

Lílian S. Barreto

Empresa Baiana de Desenvolvimento Agrícola
Laboratório de Abelhas, Av. Ademar de Barros, 967, Ondina, 40170-110, Salvador, BA.
email: lbarreto@ufba.br

Marina S. Castro

Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana
Depto. Ciências Biológicas, BR 116, km 3, 44031-460, Feira de Santana, BA.

keywords
Stingless bees, Partamona, Aratinga cactorum, termites

publication date: 01-31-2007
Abstract
The species richness, abundance, nesting sites, spatial distribution pattern, density of available substrates and substrates used for nesting by Partamona  species were studied in a restricted area of a tropical dry forest/woodlands ecosystem called "arboreal caatinga" in Milagres, Bahia State, Brazil. Two species of the genus Partamona , occurred in the studied area, Partamona  rustica  (94,1%) and Partamona  cupira  (5,9%), both nested in arboreal termites nests of the Constrictotermes  cyphergaster  species. Other three species of arboreal termites’ nests occurred in the area (Nasutitermes  corniger , Nasutitermes  macrocephalus  and Microcerotermes sp.). The arboreal termites had nested mainly in "umburana" (Commiphora lepthophloeos). The nesting strategy of Partamona  species consist in occupying preexisting cavities opened in arboreal termites nested by a parakeet called "jandaia" (Aratinga  cactorum ), for reproduction. After the birth of the younglings, the cavity is abandoned and after that a colony of Partamona  bees occupies it and starts its nest construction, isolating it with mud and resin. Frequently these cavities are occupied by other inquilines.

how to quote this paper
Barreto, L. S. and Castro, M.S. Ecology of nesting of bees of the genus Partamona  in caatinga, Milagres, Bahia. Biota Neotrop. Jan/Apr 2007 vol. 7, no. 1 http://www.biotaneotropica.org.br/v7n1/en/abstract?article+bn01807012007 ISSN 1676-0603.

Cited species
check for this species in other resources Hymenoptera  Apidae 
check for this species in other resources Aratinga  cactorum 
check for this species in other resources Commiphora  leptophloeos 
check for this species in other resources Constrictotermes  cyphergaster 
check for this species in other resources Microcerotermes 
check for this species in other resources Nasutitermes  corniger 
check for this species in other resources Nasutitermes  macrocephalus 
check for this species in other resources Partamona  rustica 
check for this species in other resources Partamona  cupira 



Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo, Fapesp
Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, CNPq
© BIOTA NEOTROPICA, 2007