ABSTRACT
For a study of diversity and genetic structuring in Melipona quadrifasciata, 61 colonies were collected in eight locations in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. By means of PCR analysis, 119 ISSR bands were obtained, 80 (68 percent) being polymorphic. He and H B were 0.20 and 0.16, respectively. Two large groups were obtained by the UPGMA method, one formed by individuals from Januária, Urucuia, Rio Vermelho and Caeté and the other by individuals from São João Del Rei, Barbacena, Ressaquinha and Cristiano Otoni. The Φst and θB values were 0.65 and 0.58, respectively, thereby indicating high population structuring. UPGMA grouping did not reveal genetic structuring of M. quadrifasciata in function of the tergite stripe pattern. The significant correlation between dissimilarity values and geographic distances (r = 0.3998; p < 0.05) implies possible geographic isolation. The genetic differentiation in population grouping was probably the result of an interruption in gene flow, brought about by geographic barriers between mutually close geographical locations. Our results also demonstrate the potential of ISSR markers in the study of Melipona quadrifasciata population structuring, possibly applicable to the studies of other bee species.
ABSTRACT
O estudo foi realizado no município de Jequié (13º 52 33 S; 40º 13 13 W; Altitude: 233m) localizado na região sudeste da Bahia. Para a captura dos indivíduos utilizou-se o método de varredura das plantas floridas ao longo da área analisada, as coletas foram realizadas no período entre maio de 2002 a maio de 2004. A fauna de abelhas foi composta por 49 espécies, representadas por 25 gêneros, distribuídas em cinco famílias. A família Apidae foi a melhor representada, com 36 espécies (74%), Halictidae, seis (12%), Megachilidae, cinco (10%) e as menos representadas foram Andrenidae e Coletidae, cada uma com 1 espécie (2% cada). Esse inventário forneceu subsídios para possíveis programasde conservação e manejo de espécies de abelhas, e que poderão ser utilizadas também em programas de manejosustentável e técnicas de polinização, utilizando os recursos apícolas naturais existentes.
The present study was carried out in the city of Jequié (13º 52 33 S; 40º 13 13 W; 233m high) located on southeastern state of Bahia, The individuals were collected through sweeping net method on floweredplants within the analyzed area from May 2002 to May 2004. The bee fauna was composed of 49 species, represented by 25 genus, distributed into five families. The family Apidae was the most representative one, with 36 species (74%), followed by Halictidae, with six species (12%), and Megachilidae, with five species (10%). The less representative families were Andrenidae and Coletidae, each one with one specie (2% each). This inventory contributed tools for further conservation and management programs of bee species, whether threatened or not, which can be used in management and polinization programs, using the currently available honey bee resources.