Interações entre Chionomesa fimbriata (aves: Trochilidae) e seus recursos florais em uma área urbana na Amazônia Maranhense, Brasil

Abstract

Avian pollination plays a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity, particularly in tropical ecosystems, where many plants depend on birds for reproduction. Among pollinating birds, hummingbirds (Trochilidae) stand out as key agents, accounting for up to 15% of plant pollination in the Neotropical region, particularly in trees and shrubs. Given this, the present study aimed to investigate the interactions between Chionomesa fimbriata and its floral resources in an urban area of the Maranhão Amazon. The study was conducted in Horto Florestal, an urban green space located in the municipality of Zé Doca, Maranhão, Brazil. Fieldwork took place from October 2023 to September 2024, using the focal observation method for data collection. Five plant species visited by a single hummingbird species, Chionomesa fimbriata, were identified. None of the observed plants were ornithophilous, demonstrating that hummingbirds can utilize alternative resource sources even in environments dominated by plant species not specialized for bird pollination. The flowering phenology of the plant species varied throughout the year, with higher intensity during the dry season. Precipitation influenced visitation frequency, with lower activity during months of high rainfall. The results indicate that urbanization affects hummingbird-plant interactions, favoring generalist species and non-ornithophilous plants. The presence of plants with prolonged flowering is crucial for maintaining hummingbird populations in urban areas. Chionomesa fimbriata exhibited foraging strategies such as territoriality and high-reward foraging circuits, displaying agonistic behaviors, particularly in intraspecific interactions. The observed foraging strategies and agonistic behaviors reflect hummingbirds' adaptation to resource availability and competition in urban environments. This study underscores the importance of conserving plant diversity in urban areas to support hummingbird populations and their ecological roles