Abstract Euglossini bees (Apidae) constitute a monophyletic group of approximately 240 species endemic to the Neotropical region. They are important bioindicators and pollinators of approximately 40 botanical families, including ornamental plants and food crops. The Brazilian Atlantic forest is the most threatened forest on the planet and the most urbanized phytogeographic domain in Brazil. It is considered a biodiversity hotspot and comprises 57 species of Euglossini bees. To date, few studies have addressed the effects of urbanization on this group of bees. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effect of urbanization and the size of green areas (i.e., squares and parks) on the number of visits, richness, and diversity of Euglossini bees in urban green spaces under the Atlantic forest of northeastern Brazil, specifically in the city of Recife. We tested the hypotheses that urbanization is associated with decreased (1) visits to odor baits (i.e., abundance), (2) richness, and (3) diversity of Euglossini bees with the increase in the urbanization ecological index and decrease in the size of the green area of squares and parks in Recife. We observed (1) a total of 2377 male Euglossini bees belonging to the species Euglossa cordata (93% of total abundance), Eulaema cingulata (2.30%), Eulaema nigrita (4.45%), and Exaerete smaragdina (0.25%); (2) a negative association between the urbanization ecological index and the total abundance and abundance of made by Euglossa cordata ; and (3) reductions in the diversity of Euglossini bees with increases in the urbanization ecological index. Overall, urbanization had negative effects on the abundance and diversity of Euglossini bees in urban green spaces in Recife, probably due to environmental disturbances (i.e., habitat loss and fragmentation, impermeable surfaces, heat islands, and pollutants). If managed properly, urban green spaces can help maintain and conserve this group of bees, which are so important for the pollination of native plants.
Silva et al. (Wed,) studied this question.