Pollen resources partitioning of stingless bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) from the southern Atlantic forest

Abstract

Meliponinae eusocial bees are among the most important pollinators in the Neotropics and their beekeeping has been growing as both recreational and economic activity. Information on the pollen preferences and niche overlap among species coexisting in the same location is still scarce. This study focused on the use of pollen resources by three native species of Meliponinae in the Atlantic Forest, Melipona quadrifasciata quadrifasciata (Lepeletier 1836), Scaptotrigona depilis (Moure 1942), and Tetragonisca angustula (Latreille 1811), at two different sites. The use of pollen resources was evaluated from reserves inside hives collected monthly between February 2015 and January 2016. It was also estimated the Mean Minimal Distance (Dm) traveled by the bees to obtain pollen. The bees differed regarding the diversity of pollen types, Dm, and proportion of pollen from different plant life-form. Local factor promoted differences only for Dm. M. q. quadrifasciata foraged a low diversity of pollen species and traveled greater distances with a higher proportion of trees plus palm species. Tetragonisca angustula foraged a higher diversity of pollen and flew shorter distances with a lower proportion of trees and palms. The species factor predominates over the local factor in the clustering pattern, based on pollen profile similarity.

Pollen Sources Used by Tetragonisca angustula (Latreille, 1811) (Apidae, Meliponini) in the Atlantic Forest, Northern Coast of Bahia

“…In the pollen spectrum, there was a predominance of pollen types related to shrubby and arboreal plants. Similar results were found by Rodrigues et al (2020), who evaluated the pollen resources collected by stingless bees in a fragment of Atlantic forest and reported that arboreal and shrubby species were more intensely and frequently visited. According to Ramalho (2004), stingless bees concentrate their collection efforts in the upper layer of vegetation in the Atlantic Forest environments, searching for massive flowering.…”

Propolis from Meliponinae: a highway from ancient wisdom to the modern medicines

“…The teachings are followed and improved by the younger ones, and some members of the community are seen as great connoisseurs of the subject. The products from bees are used in handicrafts, religious rituals and medicinal potions, as well as activities related to spiritual and contemplative life [47]. A study was conducted on the traditional knowledge about the SBs of the Enawene-Nawe people of the state of Mato Grosso.…”

O Papel Da Engenharia De Produção No Desenvolvimento Da Meliponicultura Sustentável

“…Observa-se na literatura estudada que são escassas as informações sobre área de distribuição natural das ASFs e suas preferências polínicas, produtividade, manejo correto das colônias, características físico-químicas dos méis e demais produtos que podem ser gerados desta atividade em especial com potencial para suplementação alimentar (BRATMAN, 2020;FELIX;FREITAS, 2021;RODRIGUES;et. al., 2020 Mohammad;.…”

“…Brasil existem diversas espécies adaptadas aos diferentes biomas, o que possibilita desenvolver a meliponicultura como atividade econômica viável em todo o território nacional MOHAMMAD;SANTOS, et.al. 2021;FELIX;FREITAS, 2021;RODRIGUES;. A quantidade de espécies é estimada uma vez que novas são de descobertas e outras se extinguem em razão da interferência humana.…”