Mass-flowering native species are key in the structure of an urban plant-hummingbird network

Despite the importance of parks and vegetation remnants in supporting the fauna in urban areas, not much is known about the structure of interaction networks of plants and pollinators occurring in these habitats. Hummingbirds are the main vertebrate pollinators in the Americas, contributing to the reproductive success of several plant species. The objective of this study was to evaluate the interactions between hummingbirds and the flowers used as resources in green areas within the city of Campo Grande, Brazil. We recorded a total of 63 interactions between six hummingbirds and 24 plant species. Fabaceae and Bignoniaceae were the most representative families, with seven and five species visited, respectively. Most of the visited species (75%) are native and common in urban ornamentation. The network of interactions was modular (Q = 0.481), presented an intermediate value of specialization (H-2' = 0.532) and a high core-periphery structure (CPness = 0.83). The plants Bauhinia variegata, Handroanthus heptaphyllus, Inga edulis, Prestonia tomentosa and Psiguria ternata, and the hummingbird Eupetomena macroura were the most central species in the network. In the dry period we recorded the greatest number of floral resources and the highest number of visits. The green areas within the municipality of Campo Grande offer resources that favor the permanence of hummingbirds in the city throughout the year, with native non-ornithophilous plants species characterized as important resources. The information presented here can be useful for understanding the structuring processes and the functioning of anthropically modified interactive communities.

Automated summary

This study aimed to evaluate the interactions between hummingbirds and flowers in green areas in Campo Grande, Brazil. A total of 63 interactions between six hummingbirds and 24 plant species were recorded. Fabaceae and Bignoniaceae were the most representative families. 80% of the visited species were native and common in urban ornamentation. This information can contribute to our understanding of the structure and functioning of anthropically modified interactive communities.