What is it about?

Certain functional traits of bees have important implications for the management and conservation of pollination in Passiflora crops.

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Why is it important?

Body size was the most important trait determining pollen transport. The exotic species Apis mellifera was the most abundant species but carried less pollen grains. In contrast, Bombus hortulanus, a large-bodied native species, carried more sweet granadilla pollen.

Perspectives

The study suggests that changes in community composition and dominant species do not necessarily reflect the functions that individuals can perform. The analysis based on a functional trait approach is important to understand the mechanism of ecological functions. Conservation and management of pollinator populations in Passiflora crops should focus on promoting the abundance and diversity of bees with certain functional traits that are associated with effective pollen transport.

PhD Nicolas Urbina-Cardona
Pontificia Universidad Javeriana

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This page is a summary of: Functional Traits in Bees: the Role of Body Size and Hairs in the Pollination of a Passiflora Crop, Neotropical Entomology, July 2023, Springer Science + Business Media,
DOI: 10.1007/s13744-023-01058-w.
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