Utility of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes for inferring wild bee (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) use of adjacent foraging habitats.

ABSTRACT: Isotope analysis has proven useful for understanding diets of animals that are difficult to track for extended periods. Bees are small yet highly mobile and often forage from multiple habitats. However, current methods of assessing diet are limited in scope. Efficient methods of tracking bee diets that integrate across life stages, distinguish habitat use, and are sensitive to taxonomic differences will inform conservation strategies. We evaluated the utility of stable isotope analysis for estimating contributions of adjacent habitats to bees' diets. We also investigated taxonomic variation in bee and flower isotope composition. We measured natural abundance of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes in two body regions from three wild bee genera, as well as in 25 species of flowers that likel

SUBMITTER: Novotny JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9278760 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature