UNASSIGNED: Many insects rely on chemical signals to transmit precise information on the location, identity, and quality of potential @entity16175 . Chemical signals are often broadcasted at sites with physical properties that maximize signal propagation and signal transmision. Male neotropical orchid @entity5157 (Euglossini) @entity16918 and display on vertical branches and tree trunks in the forest to expose volatile blends (perfumes) that they previously collected from their environment. Previous studies have shown that the chemical composition of perfume blends is highly differentiated even between closely related species. However, variation in behavioral components of perfume exposure and male display remain poorly understood. We conducted a four-year study on orchid @entity5157 display sites (8 species) in pacific Costa Rica, using field observations along with chemical analysis and cage experiments to assess display niche partitioning among sympatric species. We evaluated the influence of physical factors (terrain, wind, light) on the distribution of @entity16918 sites and on @entity146 , and tested a prediction of the sex @entity5681 -analogue hypothesis, i.e. that displaying males have above-average quantities or qualities of acquired perfumes. Males of different species displayed in the same general area and sometimes in close proximity to each other, but partitioned the display niche by selecting different @entity16918 diameters, display heights, and by displaying at different times of the day. Most @entity16918 sites were located inside the forest on elevated ground, especially along ridges, where stronger winds may help disperse perfume signals. Furthermore, the angular position of displaying males on perches was narrowly determined by wind direction, with males being positioned on the downwind side of the @entity16918 , where they would be most conspicuous to conspecifics approaching on an odour trail. Although our results generally support the hypothesis that perfumes serve as @entity5681 analogues, we did not find differences in the perfume composition of males caught at display perches and males captured at chemical baits. This suggests that, while chemical communication is an integral part of orchid @entity5157 display, male display activity is not determined by the history of, and success in, volatile acquisition. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Blown by the wind: The ecology of male courtship @entity146 in orchid XXXX .

@entity16175 :: ('185542', 'Species') :: ['mates'] @entity16918 :: ('8168', 'Species') :: ['perch'] @entity146 :: ('MESH:D001523', 'Disease') :: ['display behavior'] @entity5681 :: ('CHEBI:26013', 'Chemical') :: ['pheromone'] @entity5157 :: ('7460', 'Species') :: ['bees', 'bee']
@entity5157 :: (7460,Species) :: ['bees']
