Diversity and Nesting Substrates of Stingless Bees (Hymenoptera, Meliponina) in a Forest Remnant

Abstract

Stingless bees are abundant and diverse key actors in several plant-pollinator networks in the neotropics, but little is known about their natural history and ecology. This study aims to contribute to knowledge about the diversity and dispersion of stingless bees and discusses the importance of nesting substrates. It was carried out in the Araguari river valley in Minas Gerais, Brazil, where a nest site survey was conducted in an area of 100 ha during 11 alternate months from 2006 to 2008, for a total of 1,200 observation hours. Sixty-nine nests were found, belonging to 12 genera and 20 different species. Nests ofMelipona rufiventriswere by far the most abundant. Stingless bees nested more frequently in hollows of live trees (64%), and 11 different substrates were identified. Seventeen plant species were used as nesting substrates andAnadenanthera macrocarpa(Fabaceae) was the main host, encompassing 23% of the surveyed nests. The area studied is important for the maintenance of stingless bees because it provides nesting sites for them. Without nesting sites the reproductive division of colonies is compromised, affecting the nests' survival.

Nest Architecture of Tetragona clavipes (Fabricius) (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini)

“…As reported by Siqueira et al (2012) and Lima et al (2013), all colonies in this study were also nested in trees. Dissimilarly, Wille and Michener (1973), and Freitas (2001) observed this species nested in other locations, such as buildings, brick walls, chimney, and underground plumbing.…”

Apomixia facultativa em Smilax fluminensis Steud. (Smilacaceae), espécie dióica de fragmentos florestais, centro oeste do Brasil

“…Distância máxima de voo entre recursos e entre locais de nidificação, além de conectividade entre hábitats fragmentados, influencia diretamente a capacidade de dispersão e a variabilidade genética de Meliponineos. Tetragona clavipes tem como característica construir seus ninhos em troncos de árvores vivas (SIQUEIRA et al, 2012), e o hábito trepador de Smilax fluminensis pode caracterizar uma fonte de recurso próximo para essa espécie.…”

ESPÉCIES DE Partamona SCHWARZ, 1939 (HYMENOPTERA: APIDAE: MELIPONINAE) EM FRAGMENTO DE CERRADO NO MUNICÍPIO DE CASSILÂNDIA, MS, BRASIL

“…Partamona combinata está distribuída no Peru, Bolívia e, no Brasil, ocorre nos estados do Pará, Acre, Rondônia, Tocantins, Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Goiás, Distrito Federal, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais e São Paulo segundo Pedro e Camargo (2003), enquanto que Siqueira et al (2007; relacionam sua ocorrência em Minas Gerais.…”