论文信息 - PROGRESSIVE REDUCTION IN THE MEAN BODY SIZES OF SOLITARY BEES ACTIVE DURING THE FLOWERING SEASON AND ITS CORRELATION WITH THE SIZES OF BEE FLOWERS OF THE MINT FAMILY (LAMIACEAE)

PROGRESSIVE REDUCTION IN THE MEAN BODY SIZES OF SOLITARY BEES ACTIVE DURING THE FLOWERING SEASON AND ITS CORRELATION WITH THE SIZES OF BEE FLOWERS OF THE MINT FAMILY (LAMIACEAE)

We investigated the body size of solitary bee species in a Mediterranean plant community of Israel in relation to the seasonal increase in air temperature during the flowering season. We found that the body sizes of the species of solitary bees that are active from March to August are negatively correlated with the seasonal increase in air temperature. Also, the seasonal decrease in the body sizes of bees is correlated with a progressive decrease in the flower sizes of bee-pollinated species of the mint family that blossom each month.

A. Shmida | R. Dukas

[1] A. Shmida,et al. Correlation between the Color, Size and Shape of Israeli Crucifer Flowers and Relationships to Pollinators , 1989 .

[2] C. Galen,et al. POLLINATION IN FLORAL SCENT MORPHS OF POLEMONIUM VISCOSUM: A MECHANISM FOR DISRUPTIVE SELECTION ON FLOWER SIZE , 1987, Evolution; international journal of organic evolution.

[3] P. Willmer. Size effects on the hygrothermal balance and foraging patterns of a sphecid wasp, Cerceris arenaria , 1985 .

[4] T. Whitham,et al. Individual and Population Shifts in Flower Color by Scarlet Gilia: A Mechanism for Pollinator Tracking , 1985, Science.

[5] P. Willmer. Thermal constraints on activity patterns in nectar‐feeding insects , 1983 .

[6] B. Heinrich,et al. Size and Caste in Temperature Regulation by Bumblebees , 1983, Physiological Zoology.

[7] F. Bazzaz,et al. Difference in Pollination Niche Relationships in Early and Late Successional Plant Communities , 1979 .

[8] L. Pijl. Functional considerations and observations on the flowers of some Labiatae , 1972 .

[9] P. S. Digby. Factors Affecting the Temperature Excess of Insects in Sunshine , 1955 .