Genome size diversity in stingless bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Meliponini)

Abstract

The first studies on the genome size of stingless bee species showed a range from 0.27 pg (Melipona subnitida and Melipona quadrifasciata) to 1.38 pg (Melipona capixaba). Considering this variation, we quantified the DNA content of 26 species of Meliponini, in order to provide input for future comparative studies in this tribe. Haploid genome size (1C) estimates, using flow cytometry analyses (FCM), ranged from 0.26±0.003 pg (Paratrigona subnuda) to 0.98±0.023 pg (Melipona flavolineata), with an average of 0.54±0.17 pg. FCM analyses also demonstrated a small difference in the haploid genome size between males and females of the same species, with the males generally having a smaller genome than females. Our data also evidenciated that variations in the genome size of stingless bees do not correlate with changes in chromosome number and that in some genera the DNA content is more variable than in others.

Comparative cytogenetics and derived phylogenic relationship among Sitophilus grain weevils (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Dryophthorinae)

“…Genome size is another trait useful in comparative studies in a variety of taxonomic levels (Gregory and Shorthouse 2003, Tsutsui et al 2008, Tavares et al 2012). Such information is also important to clarify the relationship between variation in genome size and chromosome number (Tsutsui et al 2008, Cardoso et al 2012, Jacobson et al 2012), and direct the selection of species for genome sequencing projects (Hardie et al 2002, Gregory 2005, Geraci et al 2007).…”

Intraspecific variation in the karyotype length and genome size of fungus-farming ants (genus Mycetophylax), with remarks on procedures for the estimation of genome size in the Formicidae by flow cytometry

“…By contrast, only Lopes et al [37] and Tavares et al [35,36] have estimated the genome size of Scapitotrigona xantotricha, and found a difference in the values recorded for males and females. This is probably because bees, like ants, have a haplodiploid sex determination system, with haploid males and diploid females (workers and queens).…”

“…These standards are Drosophila melanogaster and Scaptotrigona xantotricha (e.g. [6,14,[34][35][36] [37]. Both these standards were tested so that we could determine the internal reference standard for estimating the nuclear genome size of the ants collected in the present study.…”

“…Most of the estimates of genome size available for formicides have been obtained using Drosophila melanogaster as the internal standard [6,34], although Cardoso et al [14] also used females of Scaptotrigona xantotricha to analyze hymenopterans, in particular, stingless bees [35][36][37]. In the present study, D. melanogaster proved to be a good internal standard for the ants analyzed, and was more appropriate than S. xantotricha, due primarily to the small 1C value of D. melanogaster, which avoids potential overlap between the peaks of the target species and the internal standard.…”

“…These standards are Drosophila melanogaster and Scaptotrigona xantotricha (e.g. [ 6 , 14 , 34 – 36 ]). Scaptotrigona xantotricha was initially described as the internal standard by Lopes et al [ 37 ]–the mean genome size of the females is 1C = 0.44 pg = 430 Mb.…”