Biology subjects

Gonzalez, V. H.

Publications and source records attributed to Gonzalez, V. H..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2021

Relationship Between Inter-individual Variation in Circadian Rhythm and Sociality: A case Study Using Halictid Bees

The bee family Halictidae is considered to be an optimal model for the study of social evolution due to its remarkable range of social behaviors. Past studies in circadian rhythms suggest that social species may express more diversity in circadian behaviors than solitary species. However, these previous studies did not make appropriate taxonomic comparisons. To further explore the link between circadian rhythms and sociality, we examine four halictid species with different degrees of sociality, three social species of Lasioglossum, one from Greece and two from Puerto Rico, and a solitary species of Systropha from Greece. Based on our previous observations, we hypothesized that species with greater degree of sociality will show greater inter-individual variation in circadian rhythms than solitary species. We observed distinct differences in their circadian behavior that parallel differences across sociality, where the most social species expressed the highest inter-individual variation. We predict that circadian rhythm differences will be informative of sociality across organisms.

animal behavior and cognition↗

bioRxiv2020

Geographic potential of the world largest hornet, Vespa mandarinia Smith (Hymenoptera: Vespidae), worldwide and particularly in North America

The Asian giant hornet (AGH, Vespa mandarinia) is the worlds largest hornet, occurring naturally in the Indomalayan region, where it is a voracious predator of pollinating insects including honey bees. In September 2019, a nest of Asian giant hornets was detected outside of Vancouver, British Columbia and in May 2020 an individual was detected nearby in Washington state, indicating that the AGH successfully overwintered in North America. Because hornets tend to spread rapidly and become pests, reliable estimates of the potential invasive range of V. mandarinia in North America are needed to assess likely human and economic impacts, and to guide future eradication attempts. Here, we assess climatic suitability for AGH in North America, and suggest that, without control, this species could establish populations across the Pacific Northwest and much of eastern North America. Predicted suitable areas for AGH in North America overlap broadly with areas where honey production is highest, as well as with species-rich areas for native bumble bees and stingless bees of the genus Melipona in Mexico, highlighting the economic and environmental necessity of controlling this nascent invasion.

ecology↗