Defining a pollination niche and ecological specialization associated with bristly nama in the U.S. Southern High Plains

Ecological specialization is a common process in pollinating insects, where host plant adaptations can influence the pollination niche that effectively regulates the ecosystem service of pollination. Across native bees, approximately 25 percent of the approximately 4000 species in North America are considered pollen-specialists, requiring certain plants for resources. Studies addressing plant-pollinator networks have shown linkages among this biodiversity are vulnerable to long term habitat change over time. In this study, we document insect species foraging on the specialized host plant bristly Nama (Nama hispidum) over a five year period and  describe a pollination niche associated with morphological fit. To date, over 25 species of bees have been observed foraging on bristly Nama, primarily dominated by the specialist native bee Sphecodosoma pratti. To further elucidate the pollination niche and ecological specialization, we compared foraging behaviors of S. pratti, Perdita sexmaculata, and Apis mellifera, and male mating behaviors of S. pratti and P. sexmaculata, which were in contrast and described according to ecological specialization. Correlation analysis will be used to investigate relationships of bee body sizes and floral traits. Floral adaptations that potentially facilitate mating success to bolster local populations of S. pratti (for Nama pollination) are presented.