Beyond species interaction networks: The hidden role of individuals in community assembly

Liedson Carneiro, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, discusses his article: Structural differences in individual pollinator networks across bee species reveal the importance of population-level processes in the assembly of species interactions Plant–pollinator interactions are often described as networks; plant species are connected to pollinator species through their visits to flowers. This approach has advanced our understanding…

Nectar sugar concentration matters in shaping bee-flower interactions

Chun-Feng Yang, Wuhan Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, discusses their article: Nectar sugar concentration contributes to structuring bumble bee and plant interactions Why do flowers vary their nectar sugar concentrations? Producing nectar entails significant energetic costs for plants, with investment strongly correlated to sugar concentration. It is therefore believed that interspecific variation…