scholarly journals Enemy recognition is linked to soldier size in a polymorphic stingless bee

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 20170511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Grüter ◽  
Francisca H. I. D. Segers ◽  
Luana L. G. Santos ◽  
Benedikt Hammel ◽  
Uwe Zimmermann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Stingless Bees ◽  
Stingless Bee ◽  
Neotropical Species ◽  
Morphological Adaptations ◽  
Colony Fitness ◽  
Tetragonisca Angustula ◽  
Colony Defence ◽  
Enemy Recognition ◽  
Better Than

Many ant and termite colonies are defended by soldiers with powerful mandibles or chemical weaponry. Recently, it was reported that several stingless bee species also have soldiers for colony defence. These soldiers are larger than foragers, but otherwise lack obvious morphological adaptations for defence. Thus, how these soldiers improve colony fitness is not well understood. Robbing is common in stingless bees and we hypothesized that increased body size improves the ability to recognize intruders based on chemosensory cues. We studied the Neotropical species Tetragonisca angustula and found that large soldiers were better than small soldiers at recognizing potential intruders. Larger soldiers also had more olfactory pore plates on their antennae, which is likely to increase their chemosensory sensitivity. Our results suggest that improved enemy recognition might select for increased guard size in stingless bees.

scholarly journals Distribution and Morphometrical Variations of Stingless Bees (Apidae: Meliponini) In Urban and Forest Areas of Penang Island, Malaysia

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Suhaila Ab Hamid ◽  
Mohammad Sharifuddin Salleh ◽  
Kumara Thevan ◽  
Nur Aida Hashim
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Urban Area ◽  
Body Length ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Stingless Bees ◽  
Botanical Garden ◽  
Peninsular Malaysia ◽  
Stingless Bee ◽  
Forest Area ◽  
Significant Difference

Stingless bees from four different places in Penang, northern peninsular Malaysia includingUniversiti Sains Malaysia campus(USM), Botanical Garden, Balik Pulau and Teluk Bahang weresampled randomly and identified. A total of six species of stingless bee were successfully recorded; Heterotrigona itama, Lepidotrigona terminata, Tetrigona apicalis, Tetragonula iridipennis, Tetragonula laeviceps, and Tetragonula pagdeni. Heterotrigona itama is the most abundance species in both urban and forest area. Their hive can be found in all study areas. The results showed that Balik Pulau (forest) had the most diverse stingless bee species (5 species) compared to other selected sites. Morphometrical studies comprising fifteen characters of H.itama were measured. There were significant difference for H. itama body length and appendages between samples collected from urban and forest areas. H.itama in forest areas have larger body size compared to those in the urban area. Overall, stingless bees in urban areas was less diverse compared to forest area

scholarly journals Properties of Honey from Ten species of Peruvian Stingless Bees

2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (9) ◽  
pp. 1934578X0900400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio J. Rodríguez-Malaver ◽  
Claus Rasmussen ◽  
María G. Gutiérrez ◽  
Florimar Gil ◽  
Beatriz Nieves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Antioxidant Capacity ◽  
Stingless Bees ◽  
Inhibitory Concentration ◽  
Analytical Data ◽  
Stingless Bee ◽  
Bioactive Properties ◽  
Tetragonisca Angustula ◽  
Biochemical Components

Honey produced by ten stingless bee species (Melipona crinita, M. eburnea, M. grandis, M. illota, Nannotrigona melanocera, Partamona epiphytophila, Ptilotrigona lurida, Scaptotrigona polystica, Scaura latitarsis, and Tetragonisca angustula) from Peru has been characterized according to traditional physicochemical standards (color and moisture), biochemical components (flavonoids, polyphenols, nitrites, proteins), and bioactive properties (antibacterial activity, antioxidant capacity). Analytical data are also provided for a sample of Apis mellifera and an artificial honey control. For stingless bees, honey color varied between 26 and 150 mm Pfund. M. illota produced the lightest honey, while N. melanocera and T. angustula were the darkest. Moisture varied between 20.8 and 45.8 g water/100 g, confirming higher moisture for stingless bee honey than the A. mellifera honey standard of 20 g water/100 g. Flavonoids varied from 2.6 to 31.0 mg quercetin equivalents/100g, nitrites from 0.30 to 2.88 μmoles nitrites/100 g, polyphenols from 99.7 to 464.9 mg gallic acid equivalents/100g, proteins from 0.75 to 2.86 g/100 g, and the antioxidant capacity from 93.8 to 569.6 μmoles Trolox equivalents/100 g. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was slightly lower against Staphylococcus aureus (12.5 −50 g/100 mL) than Escherichia coli (50 g/100 mL).

scholarly journals Physicochemical characteristics and sensory profile of honey samples from stingless bees (Apidae: Meliponinae) submitted to a dehumidification process

2009 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos A.L. Carvalho ◽  
Geni S. Sodré ◽  
Antonio A.O. Fonseca ◽  
Rogério M.O. Alves ◽  
Bruno A. Souza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electric Conductivity ◽  
Stingless Bees ◽  
Reducing Sugars ◽  
Physicochemical Characteristics ◽  
Stingless Bee ◽  
Sensory Characteristics ◽  
Sensory Profile ◽  
Diastatic Activity ◽  
Sensory Evaluations

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a dehumidification process on the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of stingless-bee honey. Melipona scutellaris and M. quadrifasciata honey samples were submitted to a dehumidification process and to physicochemical (reducing sugars, apparent sucrose, moisture, diastatic activity, hydroxymethylfurfural, ash, pH, acidity, and electric conductivity) and sensory evaluations (fluidity, color, aroma, crystallization,flavor,and acceptability). The results indicated that the dehumidification process does not interfere with honey quality and acceptability.

scholarly journals Agrochemical synergism imposes higher risk to Neotropical bees than to honeybees

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 160866 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hudson V. V. Tomé ◽  
Gabryele S. Ramos ◽  
Micaele F. Araújo ◽  
Weyder C. Santana ◽  
Gil R. Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Stingless Bees ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Stingless Bee ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Thiophanate Methyl ◽  
Africanized Honeybee ◽  
Modes Of Action ◽  
Population Numbers

Bees are key pollinators whose population numbers are declining, in part, owing to the effects of different stressors such as insecticides and fungicides. We have analysed the susceptibility of the Africanized honeybee, Apis mellifera , and the stingless bee, Partamona helleri, to commercial formulations of the insecticides deltamethrin and imidacloprid. The toxicity of fungicides based on thiophanate-methyl and chlorothalonil were investigated individually and in combination, and with the insecticides. Results showed that stingless bees were more susceptible to insecticides than honeybees. The commercial fungicides thiophanate-methyl or chlorothalonil caused low mortality, regardless of concentration; however, their combination was as toxic as imidacloprid to both species, and over 400-fold more toxic than deltamethrin for A. mellifera . There were highly synergistic effects on mortality caused by interactions in the mixture of imidacloprid and the fungicides thiophanate-methyl, chlorothalonil and the combined fungicide formulation in A. mellifera, and also to a lesser extent in P. helleri . By contrast, mixtures of the deltamethrin and the combined fungicide formulation induced high synergy in P. helleri , but had little effect on the mortality of A. mellifera . Differences in physiology and modes of action of agrochemicals are discussed as key factors underlying the differences in susceptibility to agrochemicals.

scholarly journals Diversity and honey properties of stingless bees from meliponiculture in East and North Kalimantan, Indonesia

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
SYAFRIZAL ◽  
RICO RAMADHAN ◽  
IRAWAN WIJAYA KUSUMA ◽  
SAAT EGRA ◽  
KUNIYOSHI SHIMIZU ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stingless Bees ◽  
Radical Scavenging Activity ◽  
Radical Scavenging ◽  
Stingless Bee ◽  
Phytochemical Screening ◽  
Radical Scavengers ◽  
Tropical Rain Forests ◽  
Dpph Assay ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
Light Yellow

Abstract. Syafrizal, Ramadhan R, Kusuma IW, Egra S, Shimizu K, Kanzaki M, Arung ET. 2020. Diversity and honey properties of stingless bees from meliponiculture in East and North Kalimantan, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 4623-4630. Kalimantan Island in Indonesia is covered by tropical rain forests that are rich in biodiversity. Species, include a stingless bee (Trigona spp.). Recently, stingless bee beekeeping (Meliponiculture) in this region has become popular because the honey has a unique taste, a mix of sweet, sour, and bitter which is highly valued. The objective of this study was to determine the diversity of stingless bee species, the number of colonies, type of hive, and honey properties such as taste, acidity, color, phytochemicals, and radical scavenging activity or antioxidant in meliponiculture in selected areas of Eastern and Northern Kalimantan, Indonesia. The area studied included Samarinda, Balikpapan, Penajam, Bontang, Sangatta, and Tarakan. The study conducted by visiting the farmers, collecting the stingless bees species and bee products (honey, propolis, and bee pollen), pH, color and taste determination, phytochemical screening, and DPPH assay. We found 12 species, with Heterotrigona itama and Tetragonula laeviceps being the main ones cultivated by people in all research areas, except Balikpapan. We counted 111 colonies of T. laeviceps and 99 of H. itama in the meliponiculture. There were three types of hive used by farmers in meliponiculture. Most of the honey tasted sweet and sour with acidity or pH ranging from 3-4, and color from dark brown to light yellow. The phytochemicals contained tannin, alkaloid, flavonoid, triterpenoid, carotenoid, coumarin, saponin, and carbohydrate. The Tetragonula sarawakensis honey was the most potent in term radical scavengers. Our findings showed that stingless bee honey contains antioxidants with phytochemicals that are very useful for human health.

scholarly journals Physicochemical characterization, antioxidant and antifungal activity of three stingless bee pollen aggregate (Apidae: Meliponini) from Soconusco, Chiapas

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Víctor Albores-Flores ◽  
Erick Saavedra-Camacho ◽  
José Alfonso López-García ◽  
Julieta Grajales-Conesa ◽  
Liliana Carolina Córdova-Albores
Keyword(s):  
Antifungal Activity ◽  
Colletotrichum Gloeosporioides ◽  
Physicochemical Characterization ◽  
Stingless Bee ◽  
Melipona Beecheii ◽  
Bee Pollen ◽  
Scaptotrigona Mexicana ◽  
Tetragonisca Angustula

<p>La interacción planta-abeja puede generar productos de la colmena con diferentes características fisicoquímicas, bioactivos y actividad antimicrobiana. Por lo cual, en este trabajo se determinó la composición química de conglomerados o agregados de polen colectados de 12 colmenas establecidas en Chiapas, México, en los municipios Tapachula, Mazatán y Cacahoatán, dentro de tres meliponarios comerciales asociados a las especies: <em>Melipona beecheii</em>, <em>Scaptotrigona mexicana</em> y <em>Tetragonisca angustula</em>. Asimismo, se evaluó el efecto de los agregados de polen en <em>Colletotrichum gloeosporioides</em>. Se encontró una composición química muy diversa independientemente de la especie de abeja. El polen obtenido de colmenas con <em>M. beecheii</em> tuvieron la mayor cantidad de fenoles, flavonoides y acidez libre. Estas propiedades, en adición de la capacidad antioxidante (trolox), glucosa y pH, estuvieron asociados a la inhibición del crecimiento <em>in vitro</em> de<em> C. gloeosporioides</em>. La velocidad de crecimiento radial del hongo durante nueve días fue de 0.013 a 0.009 mm h-1 con extractos de polen, 44 % menor que el efecto del clorotalonil. La actividad antifúngica de los extractos de polen fue de 65 y 37 % para <em>M. beecheii</em>, 57 y 16 % para <em>T. angustula</em> y 60 y 30 % para S. mexicana, respecto al tratamiento testigo y a la dosis más alta de clorotalonil, respectivamente.</p>

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 Keanekaragaman Musuh Alami Koloni Lepidotrigona terminata Smith (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponinae)

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 33-39
Author(s):  
Anggun Wicaksono ◽  
Tri Atmowidi ◽  
Windra Priawandiputra
Keyword(s):  
Natural Enemies ◽  
Stingless Bees ◽  
Stingless Bee ◽  
West Java ◽  
Parasteatoda Tepidariorum ◽  
Paratrechina Longicornis ◽  
Hemidactylus Frenatus ◽  
Hemidactylus Garnotii

The research about types of natural enemies of stinless bees Lepidotrigona terminata had been conducted in West Java. All natural enemis were identified morphologically and their habitat. There were 687 individuals of 14 species of  natural enemies obtained in this research, i.e., Pseudeuophrys sp., Heliophanus sp., Argiope versicolor, Plexippus paykuli, Marpissa sp., Parasteatoda tepidariorum, Tegenaria sp., Nasutitermes javanicus, Paratrechina sp., Polyrhachis sp., Paratrechina longicornis, Rhynchium haemorrhoidale, Hemidactylus frenatus and Hemidactylus garnotii. Based on observation, spider, ants, and lizard were the predators of stingless bee. The results are expected as data and knowledge in the conservation and cultivation of stingless bees.

Intraspecific variation in a lizard from the Central Mexican Plateau: intersexual differences in size and shape explored

2020 ◽  
Vol 131 (3) ◽  
pp. 656-666
Author(s):  
Abraham Lozano ◽  
Aurelio Ramírez-Bautista ◽  
Raciel Cruz-Elizalde
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Trophic Niche ◽  
Size And Shape ◽  
Biomechanical Models ◽  
Tree Population ◽  
Morphological Adaptations ◽  
Selective Forces ◽  
Sceloporus Grammicus ◽  
Intraspecific Morphological Variation ◽  
Two Populations

Abstract Morphological adaptations of individuals are directly (or indirectly) determined by the environment. Depending on sex, these adaptations may vary in different ways, given that different selective forces may be operating on organisms. Here, we evaluate intraspecific morphological variation (size and shape) in two populations of Sceloporus grammicus that occur in different structural habitats (trees and rocks). No difference in overall body size was found between the two populations. However, strong differences were found in body shape; the tree population was characterized by having shorter hindlimb proportions than the rock population, which agrees with the theory of biomechanical models. Furthermore, our results show that this species is dimorphic in size and shape, both in sex and population effects. A review of the literature suggests that the large overall body size and relatively longer distal segments of males could be an advantage for defending their territory, and the observation that females had relatively longer head length may be related to trophic niche divergence; however, this remains to be tested. Detailed quantification of behaviour, performance and reproductive characteristics must be performed to shed light on the evolution of sexual dimorphism in this widely distributed species in Mexico.

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