Island Biogeography Theory and the Island Rule in Orchid Bees in Panama

Research on orchid bees (Euglossini) in Coiba National Park, Panama, reveals that while their abundance increases with island size, species richness does not follow the typical pattern predicted by Island Biogeography Theory (IBT). Instead, a few dominant species emerge as distance from the mainland grows, likely due to resource limitations favoring generalist species. Additionally, the study observed a marked reduction in body size for two common species, Euglossa imperialis and Euglossa mixta, with increased isolation, suggesting competition-driven miniaturization. This challenges assumptions about orchid bee population dynamics and provides new insights into their adaptability across insular habitats.

Vega‐Rovira, Y. A., Bennett‐Vaz, R., Araúz, G., Añino, Y., & Gálvez, D. (2024). Island Biogeography Theory and the Island Rule in Orchid Bees in Panama. Journal of Biogeography, 52(2), 433–442. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.15044