Variabilidade genética de Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides (Hymenoptera, Apidae) na região Semiárida da Bahia

Abstract

The indigenous stingless bees are major pollinators of flora. The rational creation of social stingless bees or beekeeping emerges as an activity that meets the principles of sustainability by promoting agricultural diversification and exploitation of natural resources in a viable manner. However, many species are seriously endangered as a result of loss of habitat and isolation, mainly caused by deforestation, indiscriminate use of pesticides and large fires. The knowledge of the biodiversity of certain species and populations is a basic tool for their conservation. The mandaçaia bee (Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides) occupies a prominent place among stingless bees for the creation and production of honey. The present study was to analyze the genetic diversity of Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides in the state of Bahia. Colonies from regions of the species, which subsequently were managed rationally in order to assess the genetic variability among Parental, F1 and F2 generations were analyzed. Such genetic diversity was verified by molecular analysis using microsatellite markers. At the end of this study, there was high genetic variation, indicating a high gene flow between populations in the study sites. When subjected to rational creation in meliponary this genetic diversity was maintained, with no loss of genetic variability or inbreeding and lack of population differentiation across generations analyzed.