Genetic analysis of different nests of Melipona rufiventris Lepeletier, 1836 (Hymenoptera, Meliponina) in areas of Cerrado in Minas Gerais.pptx

<p>Until recently, <em>Melipona rufiventris</em> was included in the list of endangered species of the fauna of Minas Gerais. Several factors have contributed to the reduction of populations of these bees, with emphasis on deforestation and fragmentation with consequent loss of natural habitats. The present study aimed to evaluate the genetic variation and relationship of thirteen nests of <em>Melipona rufiventris</em> from three natural areas of Cerrado in Minas Gerais, in the towns of Araguari-MG, Córrego-Danta-MG and Guimarânia-MG. The genetic parameters were evaluated based on seven microsatellite loci using heterologous primers developed for <em>Melipona bicolor</em>, and the analysis involved five workers per nest. The results showed twelve distinct alleles, with sizes ranging from 87 to 198 bp, and low levels of polymorphism and heterozygosity. Further analyzes involving homoespecifics primers or more microsatellite loci with heterologous primers should prove more conclusively whether the high genetic similarity among the thirteen nests may be playing or not a low genetic diversity of the species in the studied areas.