scholarly journals Queens remate despite traumatic mating in stingless bees

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamille Costa Veiga ◽  
Gustavo Rodrigo Sanches Ruiz ◽  
Gislene Almeida Carvalho-Zilse ◽  
Cristiano Menezes ◽  
Felipe Andrés León Contrera
Keyword(s):  
Stingless Bees ◽  
Mating Systems ◽  
General Tendency ◽  
Female Reproduction ◽  
Social Hymenoptera ◽  
Close Link ◽  
Control Female ◽  
Social Bees ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Single Mating

Abstract Males can control female reproduction using genital plugs to impede access by rivals. In social bees, ants, and wasps, plugging may involve traumatic mating, with females being harmed. In stingless bees, chances are that plugs may promote ovarian activan, and are thought to ensure single mating—a general tendency among the social Hymenoptera. However, understanding on relationships between mating plugs, traumatic mating, and mating systems in stingless bees remains limited. To address this, we (1) compared mated queens of 7 Neotropical species to understand the patterns of copulatory marks in females and (2) compared pre- and post-mating genitalia of males and females in Melipona fasciculata to depict plug functional morphology. Data revealed an unprecedented consequence of mating in stingless bees: the characteristic marks left by mating plugs on female abdomens and the inferences that can be made from them. To our surprise, in 1 species M. fasciculata we found that queens retain the plug long after mating, and may carry it for the rest of their lives. All the other 6 species retained the plug for only a short period. Remated queens were only found in M. seminigra, whose multiple copulatory marks match previous findings of polyandry in this species. Our study shows that queens can remate, and suggests that male genital morphology may determine in part the time persistence of plugs. We conclude that traumatic mating plugs do not fully prevent remating in stingless bees and that mating systems are not uniform in this group. Nonetheless, exceptional cases of facultative polyandry in social insects—for example, when mating plugs fail—may confirm a general tendency for single mating in close link with efficient mating plugs.

scholarly journals A key to the genera and subgenera of stingless bees in Indonesia (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

TREUBIA ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 65-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael S. Engel ◽  
Sih Kahono ◽  
Djunijanti Peggie
Keyword(s):  
Stingless Bees ◽  
Stingless Bee ◽  
Social Bees

Indonesia harbors the greatest diversity of social bees in all of Asia, particularly of the stingless bees (Apidae: Apinae: Meliponini). Presently, 46 species of stingless bees are known across Indonesia although records are not comprehensive and additional diversity is likely present across the region.  All of the known Asiatic genera of Meliponini occur in Indonesia, making this region a critical center of modern stingless bee biodiversity in Asia. Presented here is an illustrated key to the genera and subgenera of Indonesian stingless bees, as an aid to the general identification, study, and conservation of these critical pollinators.

scholarly journals Stingless bee floral visitation in the global tropics and subtropics

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Garcia Bulle Bueno ◽  
Liam Kendall ◽  
Denise Araujo Alves ◽  
Manuel Lequerica Tamara ◽  
Tim Heard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stingless Bees ◽  
Native Plants ◽  
Ornamental Plants ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystems ◽  
Stingless Bee ◽  
Wild Plants ◽  
Plant Interactions ◽  
Social Bees ◽  
Floral Visitation ◽  
Plant Families

AbstractBees play a key role in maintaining healthy terrestrial ecosystems by pollinating plants. Stingless bees (Apidae: Meliponini) are a diverse clade of social bees (>500 species) with a pantropical distribution spanning South and Central America, Africa, India and Austral-Asia. They are garnering increasing attention as commercially-beneficial pollinators of some crops, yet their contribution to the pollination of native plants in the tropics and subtropics remains poorly understood. Here we conduct for the first time a global review of the plants visited by stingless bees. We compile a database of reported associations (flower visits) between stingless bees and plants, from studies that have made either direct observations of foraging bees or analysed the pollen stored in nests. Worldwide, we find stingless bees have been reported to visit the flowers of plants from at least 215 different families and 1434 genera, with frequently reported interactions for many of the tropic’s most species-diverse plant families including Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Rubiaceae, Poaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Myrtaceae, Malvaceae, Arecaceae, Solanaceae, and Anacardiaceae. The stingless bee fauna of each of three major biogeographic regions (Neotropical, Afrotropical and Indo-Malayan-Australasian) were frequent visitors of many of the same plant families, however we detected differences in the proportional use of plant families by the stingless bees of the Indo-Malayan-Australasian and Neotropical regions, likely reflecting differences in the available flora of those regions. Stingless bees in all regions visit a range of exotic species in their preferred plant families (crops, ornamental plants and weeds), in addition to native plants. Although most reports of floral visitation on wild plants do not confirm effective pollen transfer, it is likely that stingless bees make at least some contribution to pollination for the majority of plants they visit. In all, our database supports the view that stingless bees play an important role in the ecosystems of the global tropics and subtropics as pollinators of an exceptionally large and diverse number of plants. This database also highlights important gaps in our knowledge of stingless bee resource use and should benefit future efforts to understand stingless bee-plant interactions.

scholarly journals Resin Use by Stingless Bees: A Review

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 719
Author(s):  
Maggie Shanahan ◽  
Marla Spivak
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Stingless Bees ◽  
Stingless Bee ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Tropical Ecosystems ◽  
Social Bees ◽  
Bee Colony ◽  
Chemical Profiles ◽  
Land Use Practices

Stingless bees (Meliponini) are highly social bees that are native to tropical and sub-tropical ecosystems. Resin use is vital to many aspects of stingless bee colony function. Stingless bees use resin to build essential nest structures, repel predators, and kill would-be invaders. Furthermore, resin-derived compounds have been found to enrich the cuticular chemical profiles of many stingless bee species, and resin may play an important role in shaping the microbial communities associated with stingless bees and their nests. Despite its importance for colony function, previous reviews of resin use by stingless bees are lacking. This topic grows increasingly urgent as changes in beekeeping and land use practices occur, potentially diminishing stingless bees’ ability to incorporate resin into the nest environment. In this article, we review existing literature on resin use by stingless bees and discuss potential areas of future research.

scholarly journals The evolution of strong reproductive isolation between sympatric intertidal snails

2020 ◽  
Vol 375 (1806) ◽  
pp. 20190545 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean Stankowski ◽  
Anja M. Westram ◽  
Zuzanna B. Zagrodzka ◽  
Isobel Eyres ◽  
Thomas Broquet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Isolation ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Demographic History ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Female Reproduction ◽  
Open Questions ◽  
Geographical Separation ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Littorina Arcana ◽  
Subsequent Effect

The evolution of strong reproductive isolation (RI) is fundamental to the origins and maintenance of biological diversity, especially in situations where geographical distributions of taxa broadly overlap. But what is the history behind strong barriers currently acting in sympatry? Using whole-genome sequencing and single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping, we inferred (i) the evolutionary relationships, (ii) the strength of RI, and (iii) the demographic history of divergence between two broadly sympatric taxa of intertidal snail. Despite being cryptic, based on external morphology, Littorina arcana and Littorina saxatilis differ in their mode of female reproduction (egg-laying versus brooding), which may generate a strong post-zygotic barrier. We show that egg-laying and brooding snails are closely related, but genetically distinct. Genotyping of 3092 snails from three locations failed to recover any recent hybrid or backcrossed individuals, confirming that RI is strong. There was, however, evidence for a very low level of asymmetrical introgression, suggesting that isolation remains incomplete. The presence of strong, asymmetrical RI was further supported by demographic analysis of these populations. Although the taxa are currently broadly sympatric, demographic modelling suggests that they initially diverged during a short period of geographical separation involving very low gene flow. Our study suggests that some geographical separation may kick-start the evolution of strong RI, facilitating subsequent coexistence of taxa in sympatry. The strength of RI needed to achieve sympatry and the subsequent effect of sympatry on RI remain open questions. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Towards the completion of speciation: the evolution of reproductive isolation beyond the first barriers'.

Mating Systems

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann K. Sakai ◽  
David F. Westneat
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Reproduction ◽  
Mating Systems ◽  
Evolutionary Ecology ◽  
Genetic Material ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Reproductive Traits ◽  
Female Reproduction ◽  
Selective Pressures ◽  
Evolutionary Changes ◽  
Sex Allocation Theory

The study of mating is one of the most active areas in evolutionary ecology. What fuels this research is curiosity about a stunning diversity of ways in which zygotes are formed. Many plants and some animals can reproduce without combining gametes. Many other plants combine gametes but do so within the same individual (selfing). Still other plants and animals require a gamete from another individual to stimulate reproduction but do not incorporate the genetic material contained in that gamete in the offspring. Finally, many organisms combine gametes produced from different individuals in sexual reproduction, but the ways in which these individuals get together to reproduce are also amazingly diverse and have major implications for how selection acts in these populations. Why are there so many different ways to reproduce? Answering this question is a major challenge for evolutionary ecologists. Our approach begins with how a variety of ecological factors affect selection on reproductive traits. Because many reproductive traits show genetic variation, diversity in selective pressures can lead to a diversity of evolutionary changes. Thus, understanding the evolutionary ecology of mating systems can help to interpret the significance of this variation and can provide new insight into related phenomena. For example, costs of female reproduction associated with development of offspring greatly impact other aspects of the life history, and males are often limited by mates (Savalli, this volume). Factors such as levels of selfing, inbreeding depression, and allocation of resources play a part in mating systems of both plants and animals (Waser and Williams, this volume), and sex allocation theory has been used in both plants and animals to explore the evolution of hermaphroditism and unisexuality (Campbell 2000; Orzack, this volume). This chapter explores some of the major forces affecting mating systems. Our treatments of plants and animals differ in emphasis, but our goal is to use the perspective of evolutionary ecology to define more fully the similarities, differences, and diversity in plant and animal mating systems, and to highlight potentially interesting yet currently unanswered questions. Diversity in patterns of zygote production arises in part from ecological factors influencing two issues: selection on the evolution of sexual reproduction itself and differentiation of the sexes.

scholarly journals Neutral Sterols of Cephalic Glands of Stingless Bees and Their Correlation with Sterols from Pollen

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Juliana Ferreira-Caliman ◽  
Cláudia Inês da Silva ◽  
Sidnei Mateus ◽  
Ronaldo Zucchi ◽  
Fabio Santos do Nascimento
Keyword(s):  
Stingless Bees ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Membrane Lipid ◽  
Floral Resources ◽  
Phytophagous Insects ◽  
Social Bees ◽  
Melipona Marginata ◽  
Neutral Sterols ◽  
Growth Development ◽  
Exogenous Source

Sterols are essential molecules in the membrane lipid composition and precursors of important sterol hormones that regulate many developmental processes. Insects are unable to synthesize sterolsde novoand, thus, all phytophagous insects depend on an exogenous source of sterols for growth, development, and reproduction. The sterol requirements of social bees are not fully known due to the fact that there is no well-defined diet available throughout the year with regard to floral resources. Our study aimed to characterize the sterols present in pollen stored inMelipona marginataandMelipona scutellariscolonies, as well as evaluating their presence in the mandibular, hypopharyngeal, and cephalic salivary gland secretions. We analyzed the chemical composition of pollen stored in the colonies and the composition of the cephalic glands of workers in three adult functional phases (newly emerged, nurses, and foragers) by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The results showed that the pollen analyzed contained campesterol, stigmasterol, sitosterol, isofucosterol, lanosterol, and small amounts of cholesterol. The glands showed the same compounds found in the pollen analyzed, except lanosterol that was not found inM. scutellarisglands. Surprisingly, cholesterol was found in some glands with relative ratios greater than those found in pollen.

scholarly journals Conocimiento de las abejas nativas sin aguijón y cambio generacional entre los mayas lacandones de Nahá, Chiapas

2020 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-225
Author(s):  
Leonardo Ernesto Ulises Contreras Cortés ◽  
Amparo Vázquez García ◽  
Elda Miriam Aldasoro Maya ◽  
Jorge Mérida Rivas
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Stingless Bees ◽  
Local Population ◽  
17Th Century ◽  
General Tendency ◽  
Native Bees ◽  
Tetragonisca Angustula ◽  
Protection Area ◽  
Level Of Knowledge ◽  
Lacandon Maya

The Lacandon Maya were settled in the Lacandon forest since the 17th century; their experience and knowledge allow them to know and manage different natural elements, like the Native Stingless Bees (nsb). The present research registered the species of nsb and the differentiated knowledge about them in Nahá, Chiapas. From 2015 to 2018, through work with key collaborators and entomological collections, the species of NSB identified by the local population of the Flora and Fauna Protection Area of Nahá (ffpan) were determined. Later a questionnaire was applied to 68 heads of family, all males, to estimate the level of knowledge they have and the uses they give to the native stingless bees, according to age ranges. A total of 15 species of native bees were registered, of which honey is obtained mainly from four: Tetragonisca angustula (Ajyus), Scaura argyrea (K’amas kap’), Plebeia frontalis (Ak chip kap) y Melipona solani (Jach K’ojo’). We registered a differentiated knowledge of the heads of family in Nahá about the 15 species of nsb based on their behavior, morphology and the places where they live. The general tendency is the loss of knowledge, and it is accentuated among the young people. The causes are related to the weakening of the transmission’s mechanisms of knowledge, the decrease of the recollection activities and the absence of management of colonies in their homegardens, as well as the arrival of products that substitute honey and wax, offered at lower prices.

Not Only Single Mating in Stingless Bees

1999 ◽  
Vol 86 (3) ◽  
pp. 143-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Paxton ◽  
Nicole Wei�schuh ◽  
Wolf Engels ◽  
Klaus Hartfelder ◽  
J. Javier G. Quezada-Euan
Keyword(s):  
Stingless Bees ◽  
Single Mating

scholarly journals Shared pollinators and sequential flowering phenologies in two sympatric cactus species

2021 ◽  
Vol 154 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-38
Author(s):  
Erika Arroyo-Pérez ◽  
Cecilia L. Jiménez-Sierra ◽  
J. Alejandro Zavala Hurtado ◽  
Joel Flores
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Mating System ◽  
Mating Systems ◽  
Chihuahuan Desert ◽  
Social Bees ◽  
Reproductive Characteristics ◽  
Shared Set ◽  
Floral Phenology ◽  
Sequential Flowering ◽  
One Year

Background and aims – The reproductive characteristics of sympatric Cactaceae are important because they help to understand interfering or facilitating mechanisms that allow their coexistence. Globose Cactaceae show melittophily flowers that may be attractive to a shared set of pollinators, and if the flowering events are not overlapping, flower resources could be present for the pollinators through time. Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus and Neolloydia conoidea are two sympatric cactus species in the southern Chihuahuan Desert. The objective of this study is to describe and compare some reproductive characteristics of these species.Material and methods – Individuals of Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus and Neolloydia conoidea (n = 231 and 212, respectively) were marked and monitored during one year, recording for each species, the floral phenology, behaviour and morphology, flower visitors, breeding and mating systems (through pollination experiments).Key results – The flowering periods of these species do not overlap. The flowers of both species are melittophily, with the same shape, colour, and similar behaviour; both are obligate xenogamous plants. The mating system of Neolloydia conoidea is outcrossing but mixed in Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus. They share 75% of pollinators (solitary and social bees).Conclusions – The temporal blooming separation of these species could be an important factor to facilitate coexistence within the xerophyte community since they share the same set of pollinators to achieve their reproductive success.

scholarly journals Comparison of two breeding systems for timing of whelpings in farmed silver foxes (Research Note)

1999 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. HARRI ◽  
J. MONONEN ◽  
T. REKILÄ
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Mating Systems ◽  
The Other ◽  
Breeding Systems ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Traditional System ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Mating Order ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Mating Time

Two principally different mating systems are practised for farmed silver foxes. In the traditional system the breeding females are kept all the time in cages well separated from each other. In the Nordic system, on the other hand, the breeding females are transferred prior to mating time into a separate shed where they are placed close to each other and sometimes males are put among them. After artificial insemination (AI) or natural matings, the females are transferred in the mating order to new cages. The condensed premating grouping is assumed to enhance the effect of air-borne male and female pheromones leading to a more intense and synchronised heat development. In this study these two systems were compared for timing and synchrony of parturitions. In contrast to the working hypothesis, date of whelpings were positively skewed with a great kurtosis in the traditional system, an indication that the majority of deliveries occurred during a short period and at the beginning of the season. On the other hand, in the Nordic system the whelpings were more uniformly distributed over the whole season and the peak was later. The results show that the most recent system, although widely used, is not necessarily the only possible alternative but other alternatives should also be considered. ;

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