Recent and rapid diversification of the small carpenter bees in eastern North America

Bees fulfil a critical ecological role as pollinators, significantly contributing to the reproductive success of myriad angiosperm species. Although increasingly appreciated for their agricultural contributions, relatively little is yet known about the natural history of the vast majority of the mor...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biological journal of the Linnean Society 2016-03, Vol.117 (3), p.633-645
Main Authors: Shell, Wyatt A, Rehan, Sandra M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Apoidea
behavioural plasticity
carpenter bees
Ceratina
DNA barcoding
ecological niches
historical phylogeography
Hymenoptera
Magnoliophyta
molecular clocks
molecular phylogeny
natural history
phylogeography
pollinators
population structure
sympatry
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Summary:Bees fulfil a critical ecological role as pollinators, significantly contributing to the reproductive success of myriad angiosperm species. Although increasingly appreciated for their agricultural contributions, relatively little is yet known about the natural history of the vast majority of the more than 20 000 wild bee species worldwide. The small carpenter bee genus Ceratina occurs globally, and is represented in North America by its most recently diverged subgenera, Ceratinula and Zadontomerus. Recent genetic analysis of eastern Ceratina (Zadontomerus) supports the existence of five closely related, yet genetically distinct species living in sympatry. This phylogeographical study employs molecular barcoding of the most comprehensive specimen collection yet assembled to confirm the identities of these recently diverged eastern North American Ceratina (Zadontomerus) species. Delineation of extant population structure, evolutionary history and known range of this emerging model native pollinator are greatly improved by this study. We consider ecological and behavioural factors potentially contributing to the maintenance of genetic identity among these sympatric species.
ISSN:0024-4066
1095-8312
DOI:10.1111/bij.12692