Genetic Differentiation in the Stingless Bee, Scaptotrigona xanthotricha Moure, 1950 (Apidae, Meliponini): a Species with Wide Geographic Distribution in the Atlantic Rainforest

Abstract

Stingless bees are important pollinators that are severely threatened by anthropic interference, resulting in a strong population decline. Scaptotrigona xanthotricha has a wide distribution in the Atlantic Rainforest, ranging from the northeastern state of Bahia to Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. To understand the genetic structure of S. xanthotricha, 12 species-specific microsatellite loci were analyzed in 42 colonies sampled throughout the species range. The results indicated 5 distinct clusters throughout the sampled area with high rates of genetic diversity, and the greatest diversity was found in southern Bahia. Greater differentiation was observed between samples from the extremes of the distribution, with an F value of 0.189 between cluster 1 and 5. The genetic differentiation analysis for all loci had an F value of 0.113, a result that is consistent with the analysis of molecular variance, which revealed 7.72% of the variation occurring between groups. The Mantel correlation between a genetic differentiation matrix and a geographic distance matrix (r = 0.184, P = 0.043) indicated a tendency toward increased differentiation with increased distance. This study revealed the profile of differentiation and distribution of genetic diversity in this species and indicates parameters that should be considered in future taxonomic revisions and activities for its management and conservation.

Multilocus species delimitation in Mesoamerican Scaptotrigona stingless bees (Apidae: Meliponini) supports the existence of cryptic species

“…It is suggested that extant diversity corresponds to a third of actual native bee species richness in the Neotropics (Freitas et al, 2009), including many cryptic species yet to be discovered (Michener, 2007). In fact, previous morphological and molecular studies have revealed cryptic species (Melo, 2003;Rasmussen & Cameron, 2007;Tavares et al, 2007;Koch, 2010) or distinct evolutionary lineages within stingless bees species (Quezada-Euán et al, 2007;Tavares et al, 2007;May-Itzá et al, 2010;Theeraapisakkun et al, 2010;Bonatti et al, 2014;Duarte et al, 2014).…”

Efeitos da meliponicultura na diversidade genética de Melipona quadrifasciata 1836 (Apidae, Meliponini) na região sul do Brasil

“…Os efeitos da seleção de colônias para a multiplicação e os de transporte sobre a diversidade genética das populações se misturam com as consequências do comportamento natural das espécies quando as populações são analisadas. Existem poucos estudos populacionais de ASF, e a maior parte foi realizada total ou parcialmente utilizando estoques genéticos mantidos em meliponários Santiago, 2013;Duarte, Gaiotto, & Costa, 2014;Koser, Francisco, & Moretto, 2014;, portanto, não há dados confiáveis como referência para se entender o que ocorre nos meliponários.…”