Natural history and biogeography of Partamona rustica, an endemic bee in dry forests of Brazil

Abstract

Partamona rustica is a stingless bee that occupies dry forests of Brazil, such as the cerrado (savanna-like biome) and caatinga (xeric shrubland and thorn forest), ranging from the northern portion of the state of Minas Gerais to the southwestern portion of the Bahia state. As this bee is endemic to these environments and its biology is poorly known, the aim of the present study was to investigate aspects of its natural history and biogeography. Moreover, the potential distribution of the species is analyzed through ecological niche modeling. Sampling was performed in the full range of distribution of the species. Nesting sites for 145 colonies, plants visited, and termite nests hosts were identified. Most of the termite nests in which the species nested were active (83 %) and corresponded to Constrictotermes cyphergaster. Pollen analyses revealed 62 pollen types from 30 families of angiosperms visited by P. rustica, the most common of which were from the families Leguminosae-Mimosoideae (11.1 %) and Myrtaceae (7.9 %). Partamona rustica occurs in areas at 500 ± 187.30 m above sea level with semi-arid climates. The climatic niche model revealed a very realistic range for P. rustica, contouring the Chapada Diamantina National Park by the east, where there are no records of the species. Given the ecological importance of bees as pollinators, the intense pressure exerted by bee hunters and environmental changes caused by human activities, the present findings underscore the importance of concentrating efforts on the conservation of dry areas and the endemic species that inhabit these forests.