Native
bee diversity and abundance in an urban green space in Bengaluru, India
V.R. Bhatta1
and A.N. Kumar2*
1Department of
Zoology and Genetics, Jyoti Nivas College Autonomous, Bengaluru-560 095,
India
2Department of
Zoology, Periyar University, Salem-636 011, India
*Corresponding Author Email : naresh.phd@gmail.com
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Abstract
Aim:
The aim of the present study was to estimate the diversity and abundance of
native bee fauna in an urban green space in Bengaluru, India.
Methodology: Native bees were sampled from ten observational
plots randomly selected from a 20 ha urban green space. Bee diversity and
abundance were recorded at 15-day interval and estimated using diversity
indices. ??????
Results:
Nineteen species and thirteen genera under Apidae, Halictidae, and
Megachilidae family were recorded. Bee species under Apidae were the most
abundant, with four social, five solitary, and one kleptoparasitic species,
followed by Halictidae and Megachilidae, with five and four solitary bee
species, respectively. Trigona iridipennis was the dominant species
followed by Apis dorsata among the social bees, and Lasioglossum sp.
and Hriades sp. were dominant among the solitary bees. The number of
cavity-nesting species was more that of tree-nesting or ground-nesting
species. Shannon?s and Simpson?s diversity indices confirmed the species
richness, species abundance, and uniform distribution of native bee species
in the urban green space. ????????????????
Interpretation: Green patches within urban areas can
support a diverse population of bees. The study area consisted of both social
and solitary bees. Cavity-nesting and oligolectic generalist bees were more
predominant in the urban area, thus confirming the role of urban spaces in
adding to bee diversity. Green pockets within urban areas support a diverse
population of bees, and urban green spaces and green corridors can help to
conserve bee biodiversity and, in turn, the urban ecosystem. ??
Key words: Apidae, Bee diversity, Diversity indices, Trigona
iridipennis, Urban green spaces
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