Buzz-pollination in Neotropical bees:genus-dependent frequencies and lack of optimal frequency for pollen release  

作　　者：Conrado Augusto Rosi-Denadai Priscila Cassia Souza Araujo Lucio Antonio de Oliveira Campos Lirio Cosme Jr. Raul Narciso Carvalho Guedes 

机构地区：[1]Departamento de Entomologia,Universidade Federal de Vigosa,Vigosa,Minas Gerais,Brazil [2]Departamento de Biologia Geral,Universidade Federal de Vigosa,Vigosa,Minas Gerais,Brazil

出　　处：《Insect Science》2020年第1期133-142,共10页昆虫科学（英文版）

基　　金：support provided by the CAPES Foundation(Brazilian Ministry of Education);the National Council of Scientific and Technological Development(CNPq;Brazilian Ministry of Science and Technology);the Minas Gerais State Foundation for Research Aid(FAPEMIG)were also greatly appreciated.

摘　　要：Over 50 genera of bees release pollen from flower anthers using thoracic vibrations,a phenomenon known as buzz-pollination.The efficiency of this process is directly affected by the mechanical properties of the buzzes,namely the duration,amplitude,and frequency.Nonetheless,although the effects of the former two properties are well described,the role of buzz frequency on pollen release remains unclear.Furthermore,nearly all of the existing studies describing vibrational properties of natural buzz-pollination are limited to bumblebees(Bombus)and carpenter bees(Xvlocopa)constraining our current understanding of this behavior and its evolution.Therefore,we attempted to minimize this shortcoming by testing whether flower anthers exhibit optimal frequency for pollen release and whether bees tune their buzzes to match these(optimal)frequencies.If true,certain frequencies will trigger more pollen release and lighter bees will reach buzz frequencies closer to this optimum to compensate their smaller buzz amplitudes.Two strategies were used to test these hypotheses:(i)the use of(artificial)vibrational playbacks in a broad range of buzz frequencies and amplitudes to assess pollen release by tomato plants(Solarium Ivcopersicum L.)and(ii)the recording of natural buzzes of Neotropical bees visiting tomato plants during pollination.The playback experiment indicates that although buzz frequency does affect pollen release,no optimal frequency exists for that.In addition,the recorded results of natural buzz-pollination reveal that buzz frequencies vary with bee genera and are not correlated with body size.Therefore,neither bees nor plants are tuned to optimal pollen release frequencies.Bee frequency of buzz-pollination is a likely consequence of the insect flight machinery adapted to reach higher accelerations,while flower plant response to buzz-pollination is the likely result of its pollen granular properties.

关 键 词：buzz amplitude buzz frequency floral sonication POLLINATION stingless bees vibration 

分 类 号：Q94[生物学—植物学]