Ecological Interactions in Epiphytic Orchids in the Archaeological Zone “El Tajín”, Papantla, Veracruz

3. Ecología Funcional Lab, Institute of Ecology, A. C., Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico

Abstract: Protected natural areas, as well as archeological zones are reservoirs of a region’s biodiversity, and the latter represent a legacy of local culture. In this sense, knowledge of the species present is essential to highlight their importance and ensure their conservation. We studied the diversity and ecological interactions of orchids (Orchidaceae) epiphytes in the archaeological zone “El Tajín”, municipality of Papantla, Veracruz, Mexico. From January 2015 to February 2016, the orchids species present their floral visitors, their phorophytes (hosts) as well as their vertical location in the trees were recorded. There were 202 colonies of Lophiaris cosymbephorum, 25 of Oncidium sphacelatum and eight of Catasetum integerrimum, distributed in 11 species of phorophytes. L. cosymbephorum was distributed in the five vertical strata, although with greater abundance in the outer part of the crown, on the contrary, Catasetum integerrium was more frequent in the basal part of the trunk. Floral visitors were: crickets (Gryllidae), beetles (Curculionidae: Baridinae) and ants (Formicidae: Lasius niger), the latter with the highest number of visits. No pollinators were recorded, possibly due to anthropogenic disturbances around the archaeological zone.