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

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.