The Orchid Bee Communities in different phytophysiognomies in the Atlantic Forest: from lowland to montane rainforests

To investigate species composition, diversity, richness, and monthly abundance of orchid bees in different types of dense rainforest in different altitudes, the orchid bees were collected for 11 months in three vegetation types: dense montane ombrophilous forest (DMOF), dense submontane ombrophilous forest (DSOF_1 and DSOF_2 in different altitudes), and dense lowland ombrophilous forest (DLOF). Using aromatic traps 1,945 males of 20 species were collected. The DMOF showed the highest species richness (19), and diversity (H' = 2.42), whereas the DSOF_1 showed the highest abundance (775). The DLOF which is the largest continuous forest remnant sampled (15,300 ha), showed the lowest species richness (11) and diversity index (1.63), additionally presented the highest dominance (0,49). Euglossa cordata (Linnaeus) was the most abundant species in DLOF, DSOF_1 and DMOF, while Euglossa ignita Smith was the most abundant species in the DSOF_2. Abiotic factors (temperature and humidity) were correlated with abundance of species; already the altitude had correlation with dominance and diversity parameters. Our results demonstrate that phytophysiognomy influences the richness and diversity of orchid bees. The results obtained in DLOF did not corroborate what was expected, we attributed these results to the management and extractivism activities of the palm tree Attalea funifera Martius. Finally, our study reveals the importance of preserving different phytophysiognomies within the same biome to conserve orchid bees.