Euglossini is an important tribe of Neotropical bees found primarily in wet forest environments, although their distribution extends to seasonal tropical forests and mountainous grassland habitats. However, little is known about the geography and diversity of euglossine bees in mountain regions, particularly in the Brazilian semi-arid Cerrado vegetation. We evaluated the distribution of euglossine bees along an elevational gradient in Serra do Cipó, Brazil, where the vegetation varies from savanna (Cerrado) at lower elevations to rupestrian grasslands in mountain summits, and an ecotone of cerrado/rupestrian grassland at mid elevations. We also tested whether bee species richness and abundance were influenced by environmental variables (vegetation and climate) that change with elevation. Bee abundance decreased with elevation, while species richness peaked at mid elevations. Species replacement along the elevational gradient led to differences in species composition between sites; but species diversity remained relatively constant, along the gradient. Abundance and diversity patterns were similar between the dry and rainy seasons, despite differences in species composition. We emphasize the importance of preserving corridors of mesic environments in the conservation of euglossine bees for maintaining ecosystem services in mountain savannas. orchid bees / campo rupestre / Brazilian Cerrado / mountain ecology / Neotropical savanna
The flora of the Brazilian rupestrian grasslands represents a hotspot of species richness and endemisms. Stachytarpheta cassiae (Verbenaceae), is a micro endemic species, from which nothing is known. Here, we quantified the activity and intensity of vegetative and reproductive phenophases throughout 12 months and tested for their seasonality and their relationship with local climatic variables. Both vegetative and reproductive phenophases were continuous. No seasonality was observed in the vegetative phenophases and none of them was influenced by climatic variables. Only flower buds and mature fruits’ intensities showed seasonality in February (rainy season) and July (dry season), respectively. Accordingly, increased temperature and humidity combined explained increased production of flower buds whereas decreased rainfall explained increased mature fruits. Higher intensity in flower buds may respond to similar climatic conditions as other species in the community. However, S. cassiae is much different as it continues producing flowers continuously. Higher intensity of mature fruits in the dry season is expected as their seeds are abiotically dispersed. Due to constant flower and leaf production, S. cassia may be a key species for the conservation of many vertebrate and invertebrate species and for maintaining the biogeochemical functioning of the impoverished soils of the rupestrian grasslands.
Following publication of the original article, the author group noticed an error related to the presentation of Figs. 4 and 5. The author group would like readers to note that the legends of for Figs. 4 and 5 are erroneously presented and that the reverse order of what is presented in the original article was intended. This correction note stands to correct the original article. Publisher's note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
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