Diversity, threats and conservation of native bees in the Neotropics.

BRENO M. FREITAS, VERA LÚCIA IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, JAVIER.J.G. QUEZADA-EUÁN, LUIS M. MEDINA, ASTRID DE MATOS PEIXOTO KLEINERT, LEONARDO GALETTO, GUIOMAR NATES-PARRA.

APIDOLOGIE

Año: 2008

0044-8435

b> Abstract ? The Neotropics bee fauna is very rich with 5000 recognised species, including 33 genera (391 species) of Meliponini, but it is estimated to be at least three fold greater in species richness. Deforestation, agriculture intensification and introduction/spread of exotic competing bee species are considered the main threats to most indigenous species, although other less obvious causes can affect the populations of some bee species locally. Efforts to conserve the native bee fauna include better knowledge of bee richness and diversity (standardized surveys, larger bee collections and appropriate identifi