Body size and wing asymmetry in bees along an urbanization gradient

• DOI: 10.1007/s13592-017-0554-y
• Publication Date: 2017-11-10T08:56:07Z
• Authors: Weronika Banaszak...; Monika Fliszkiewicz; Aleksandra Langowska; Michał Żmihorski
• Keywords: Fluctuating asymmetry

The global loss of bee diversity and abundance is a central issue in conservation biology. There increasing evidence that cities may play an important role conservation, although urbanization also have negative impacts. Here, we investigate individual body size variation wing asymmetry (based on 11 traits) the solitary Anthophora plumipes along rural-urban gradient Poland. captured individuals did not show any changes gradient. Directional was present, since differences between sides 10 out traits deviated significantly from zero, with right-side being generally larger. In contrast to our expectations, forewing more asymmetric rural than suburban urban areas. Similarly, absolute (i.e. pooling but ignoring direction) greater landscapes. Since be attributed environmental pollution food shortages, conclude landscape provides bees habitats higher quality thus should considered as habitat for conservation.