Survey and distribution of native stingless bee nests (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Meliponini) in a remnant area of Cerrado, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Survey and distribution of native stingless bee nests (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Meliponini) in a remnant area of Cerrado, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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DOI: 10.22533/at.ed.8133102307113
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Palavras-chave: Abelhas nativas sem ferrão, Cerrado, biodiversidade,Tetragonisca angustula.
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Keywords: Native stingless bees, Cerrado, biodiversity, Nests, Tetragonisca angustula.
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Abstract: Bees are the most abundant in the pollination of angiosperms. Native stingless bees are also efficient in this task and can be used to improve agriculture. The aim of the present work was to survey the nests of native stingless bees in the municipality of Buritis, Minas Gerais, Brazil. During the study period of one year between May 2020 and May 2021. A total of nineteen nests were found, mostly in Cerrado sensu stricto areas surrounded by wetlands. The species found were: Frieseomelitta varia, Geotrigona mombuca, Melipona rufivrentris, Nannotrigona testaceicornes, Tetragonisca angustula, Trigona hyalinata, Tetragona clavipes. Of these, Tetragonisca angustula and Trigona hyalinata accounted for 63% of the recorded nests. The results show a low diversity of native bee species but a good number of nests, although the farm has vegetation and potential phytophysiognomic variation that could host more bee groups and species. We believe that with a proper management plan, the area can be a great place to implement a meliponary that would contribute to the biodiversity of the Apidae family in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil.Bees are the most abundant in the pollination of angiosperms. Native stingless bees are also efficient in this task and can be used to improve agriculture. The aim of the present work was to survey the nests of native stingless bees in the municipality of Buritis, Minas Gerais, Brazil. During the study period of one year between May 2020 and May 2021. A total of nineteen nests were found, mostly in Cerrado sensu stricto areas surrounded by wetlands. The species found were: Frieseomelitta varia, Geotrigona mombuca, Melipona rufivrentris, Nannotrigona testaceicornes, Tetragonisca angustula, Trigona hyalinata, Tetragona clavipes. Of these, Tetragonisca angustula and Trigona hyalinata accounted for 63% of the recorded nests. The results show a low diversity of native bee species but a good number of nests, although the farm has vegetation and potential phytophysiognomic variation that could host more bee groups and species. We believe that with a proper management plan, the area can be a great place to implement a meliponary that would contribute to the biodiversity of the Apidae family in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
- Eleuza Rodrigues Machado
- Lana Cristina Evangelista Ferreira Sá
- Fernanda Barros Passaglia
- Danilo Lourenço De Brito
- Nathália Evangelista Dos Santos
- Lara Marina Evangelista Ferreira Sá
- Christian Lucas Américo da Silva