Morphometric Variability among Populations of Euglossa cordata (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Euglossini) from Different Phytophysiognomies

Abstract

Geometric morphometrics is a tool capable of measuring the response of organisms to different environmental pressures. We tested the hypothesis that E. cordata wing morphometry, as an indicator of response to environmental pressure, it would vary depending on habitat changes, in the Atlantic Forest, Savanna and dry forest (Caatinga). For analysis of wing shape and size, 18 landmarks were digitized at the intersections of the wing veins 348 individuals. Except for the two populations sampled in Chapada Diamantina, the wing shape had significant statistical variations among the populations (p < 0.05). The wing size variation was also statistically significant among populations (p < 0.05). Although E. cordata is a species tolerant to different environments, the observed morphometric variability may be related to population adaptations to the conditions of each phytophysiognomy.

Keywords

• Solitary bee
• orchid bee
• morphological variation
• wing shape
• wing size.