Diversity of social wasps (Hymenoptera, Vespidae) in Cerrado biome of the southern of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract

ABSTRACT. An inventory of social wasps in Cerrado biome of the southern of the state of Minas Gerais was performed. A comparison between field and Riparian Forest areas was made in relation to species richness; correlations between diversity, sample methods and environmental factors were conducted. A total of 32 species was registered and Polybia fastidiosuscula de Saussure, 1854 was the most abundant species. The higher richness was in the Cerrado Field, as well as the highest diversity index. The temperature and rainfall had significant correlation with species richness and a significant variation in richness between dry and wet seasons was observed. Polybia fastidiosuscula was more abundant in the Riparian Forest during the dry season and in the Cerrado Field during wet season. The study area showed a great diversity of social wasps, with record both widely distributed species such as rare species, which indicates the quality and potential area for future studies.KEYWORDS. Polistinae, inventory, composition, seasonality.RESUMO. Diversidade de vespas sociais (Hymenoptera, Vespidae) no Cerrado do sul do estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Foi realizado um inventário de vespas sociais em área do bioma Cerrado do sul do estado de Minas Gerais. Foram comparadas uma área de campo e uma área de mata ciliar em relação à riqueza de espécies, bem como verificadas as correlações entre diversidade, métodos de amostragem e os fatores ambientais. Um total de 32 espécies foi registrado e Polybia fastidiosuscula de Saussure, 1854 foi a espécie mais abundante. A maior riqueza foi registrada na área de campo, bem como o maior índice de diversidade. A temperatura e pluviosidade apresentaram correlação significativa com a riqueza de espécies e uma variação significativa na riqueza entre as estações seca e úmida foi observada. Polybia fastidiosuscula foi mais abundante na mata ciliar durante a estação seca e na área de campo na estação úmida. A área de estudo apresentou uma grande diversidade de vespas sociais, registrando tanto espécies amplamente distribuídas como espécies raras, o que indica a qualidade e o potencial da área para futuras pesquisas. PALAVRAS-CHAVE.Polistinae, inventário, diversidade, sazonalidad.

The Social Wasp Fauna of a Riparian Forest in Southeastern Brazil (Hymenoptera, Vespidae)

“…This method had already been reported as the most efficient in respect of richness by other researches (Souza & Prezoto, 2006;ElpinoCampos et al, 2007;Silva & Silveira, 2009;Souza et al, 2011;Jacques et al, 2012;Simões et al, 2012). The low equitabilities and richness obtained for attractive traps, indicate the need for additional sampling with other methods.…”

“…This species was previously captured by Souza and Prezoto (2006) with the method of point sampling, while Togni (2009), Jacques et al (2012 and Simões et al (2012) obtained specimens using attractive traps.…”

“…Polybia jurinei was found by active collection by Souza and Prezoto (2006), Elpino-Campos et al (2007), Silva and Silveira (2009) and Jacques et al (2012); by active collection in flowering plants by Mechi (1996;2005), and by active collecting with the use of liquid bait by Gomes (2009), Lima et al (2010) and Grandinete and Noll (2013). Polistes lanio was collected by active collection by Simões et al (2012) and by active collection while scanning flowering plants by Mechi (1996;2005).…”

“…Other studies have also noted the predominance of Epiponini in the total abundance of social wasps found. Representatives of this tribe constituted more than 70% in many studies conducted in Brazil (Santos, 1996;Mechi, 2005 -Campos et al, 2007;Morato et al, 2008;Santos et al, 2009b;Silva & Silveira, 2009;Auad et al, 2010;Alvarenga et al, 2010;Lima et al, 2010;Pereira & Antonialli-Junior, 2011;Tanaka Junior & Noll, 2011;Simões et al, 2012;Grandinete & Noll, 2013;Togni et al, 2014). However, when only nests are the targets of surveys, the abundance of Epiponini is often smaller, as observed in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais (Lima et al, 2000), with only 11.03% of the colonies belonging to this tribe and in Biritinga, Bahia, were 67.43% of the total abundance found was of Epiponini, yet only 25.71% of the nests found belonged to this tribe (Santos & Presley, 2010).…”

“…group of insects, researches related to diversity of social wasps in this country are increasing in number and have covered different regions, environments and biomes (Richards, 1978;Rodrigues & Machado, 1982;Marques, 1989;Marques et al, 1993;Diniz & Kitayama, 1994;Mechi, 1996;Santos, 1996;Lima et al, 2000;Raw, 2003;Marques et al, 2005;Mechi, 2005;Melo et al, 2005;Hermes & Köhler, 2006;Santos et al, 2006;Silva-Pereira & Santos, 2006;Souza & Prezoto, 2006;Elpino-Campos et al, 2007;Santos et al, 2007;Morato et al, 2008;Ribeiro Junior, 2008;Silveira et al, 2008;Souza et al, 2008;Santos et al, 2009a;Santos et al, 2009b;Alvarenga et al, 2010;Auad et al, 2010;Lima et al, 2010;Santos & Presley, 2010;Souza et al, 2010;Pereira & Antonialli-Junior, 2011;Silva et al 2011;Souza et al, 2011;Tanaka Junior & Noll, 2011;Jacques et al, 2012;Silveira et al, 2012;Simões et al, 2012 ;Auko & Silvestre, 2013;Grandinete & Noll, 2013;Togni et al 2014). In the State of S...…”