Fine-tuning the buzz: comparing visitation frequency and pollination effectiveness in plant-pollinator networks.

ABSTRACT: Ecological network approaches have advanced our understanding of how species interactions influence community and evolutionary dynamics. However, a key limitation is that most network analyses rely solely on visitation data, often overlooking functional aspects of interactions. Here, we combined quantitative (visitation frequency) and qualitative (pollen removal and deposition) components to assess bee interactions with buzz-pollinated flowers in the field. We recorded bee visitation to Chamaecrista (Fabaceae) flowers to represent the quantitative component and conducted single-visit experiments to evaluate qualitative components related to male and female reproductive performances. Data were integrated into ecological networks to explore the structure of plant-pollinator interactions. Acr

SUBMITTER: Valadao-Mendes LB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12825406 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature