What distinguishes the specialization strategy of the Hawaiian *Hylaeus* radiation compared to island gigantism seen in other groups?
Answer
They specialized intensely on specific co-evolved host-plant relationships
While island evolution often results in phenomena like island gigantism (larger body size) or loss of flight in birds or insects, the radiation of native Hawaiian *Hylaeus* bees took a different path. Their primary specialization centered around tight, co-evolved relationships with native Hawaiian flowering plants. This involved the bees adapting their foraging style, tongue length, and pollen-carrying mechanism to specific floral resources, while those plants became reproductively dependent on these specialized bee visitors. This deep co-dependence created a highly stable, yet fragile, evolutionary partnership solidified over vast timescales.
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