No abstract

No abstract

1. Animal trade, such as birds, mammals and reptiles, is a common human activity.Among insects, few are as charismatic as bees. Their hives are commonly commercialized for multiple purposes, such as honey production, crop pollination and leisure. However, hive trade has the potential to adversely introduce species into novel places in a widespread way. 2. Our main objectives were to evaluate the trade flow of stingless beehives in Brazil by comparing the geographical distances and climatic features between origin and destination as well as by determining the potential impact on endangered (EN) native bee species.3. We performed species distribution modelling to estimate their respective natural habitats. After that, we carried out a principal component analysis characterizing the climatic features found within their natural habitats and those where bees were negotiated. Subsequently, we applied hierarchical clustering followed by a Procrustes analysis to evaluate the contrast between the climatic niches of original and destination places. We also checked the conservation status of each species being commercialized and whether exotic species could be introduced within their areas. 4. At least nine species of stingless bees were negotiated during the surveyed period. The hives were requested for almost 100 different localities. Over 40% of sellers and buyers were located outside the natural range of the stingless bee species being negotiated, and half of interested people were as far as 320 km. Climatic features vary considerably between natural habitat and traded regions.This implies that some species might suffer and perish due to intolerance to new climatic features. Nonetheless, species can be taken to new areas that are climatically suitable, creating a risk of biological introduction and invasion events.

Planning the artificial pollination of agricultural crops requires knowledge of the floral biology and reproductive system of the crop in question. Many studies have shown that rapeseed (Brassica napus Linnaeus) is self-compatible and self-pollinated, but its productivity may be increased by insect visitation. In the present study, the floral biology and the response of productivity to insect visitation of two rapeseed cultivars (Hyola 420 and Hyola 61) were analyzed and compared in three regions of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The rapeseed flowers presented three stages during anthesis, with the time periods varying between the cultivars. Both cultivars are self-compatible, but free visitation of insects increased productivity by 17% in the Hyola 420 cultivar and by approximately 30% in the Hyola 61 cultivar. Therefore, it is concluded that the cultivar Hyola 61 is more dependent on insect pollination than Hyola 420.Keywords: floral biology, reproductive system, pollination, rapeseed, Brassica napus. Estudo comparativo da biologia floral e da resposta da produtividade à visita por insetos em duas cultivares de canola (Brassica napus L.) no Rio Grande do SulResumo O planejamento de polinização dirigida nas culturas agrícolas requer o conhecimento da biologia floral e do sistema reprodutivo da cultura em questão. Muitos estudos mostram que a canola (Brassica napus Linnaeus) é auto compatível e auto polinizada, no entanto, sua produtividade pode ser aumentada pela visita por insetos. Nesse estudo, a biologia floral e a resposta da produtividade à visita por insetos de duas cultivares de canola (Hyola 420 e Hyola 61) foram analisadas e comparadas em três regiões do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. As flores de canola apresentaram três fases durante a antese, havendo variação no período de tempo de acordo com a cultivar. Ambas as cultivares são auto compatíveis, mas a livre visita por insetos aumentou a produtividade em 17% na cultivar Hyola 420 e cerca de 30% na cultivar Hyola 61. Dessa maneira, concluímos que a cultivar Hyola 61 é mais dependente da polinização entomófila que a Hyola 420.Palavras-chave: biologia floral, sistema reprodutivo, polinização, canola, Brassica napus.

Although women are about half of world’s population, they are underrepresented in many sectors including academia and the research scenario in general. Gender gap in Entomology has been pointed out in other publications; however, data for Brazil has never been demonstrated. Here we provide a diagnosis for the Brazilian Entomology scenario in order to contribute to propositions towards disentangling the gender gap in general. We analyzed scientometric data for Brazilian Entomology focusing on gender disparity and on personal perceptions related to the gender gap through an online questionnaire. We detected a pervasive gender bias in which the scissor-shaped curve is the most representative effect of it: women were the majority in lower degree stages but the minority in higher degree stages (permanent positions and positions of prestige and power). We also observed mentorship bias and discussed these results in light of intersectionality and the COVID-19 pandemic. Gender differences were perceived differently by the questionnaire respondents considering age, gender, and parenting. With this data and analyses, we have provided elements to stimulate and support change to a healthier and more equitable academic space.