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Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-28T19:47:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-01-01 Satellite DNAs (satDNAs) and transposable elements (TEs) are among the main components of constitutive heterochromatin (c-heterochromatin) and are related to their functionality, dynamics, and evolution. A peculiar case regarding the quantity and distribution of c-heterochromatin is observed in the genus of bees, Melipona, with species having a low amount of heterochromatin and species with high amount occupying almost all chromosomes. By combining low-pass genome sequencing and chromosomal analysis, we characterized the satDNAs and TEs of Melipona quadrifasciata (low c-heterochromatin) and Melipona scutellaris (high low c-heterochromatin) to understand c-heterochromatin composition and evolution. We identified 15 satDNA families and 20 TEs for both species. Significant variations in the repeat landscapes were observed between the species. In M. quadrifasciata, the repetitive fraction corresponded to only 3.78% of the genome library studied, whereas in M. scutellaris, it represented 54.95%. Massive quantitative and qualitative changes contributed to the differential amplification of c-heterochromatin, mainly due to the amplification of exclusive repetitions in M. scutellaris, as the satDNA MscuSat01-195 and the TE LTR/Gypsy_1 that represent 38.20 and 14.4% of its genome, respectively. The amplification of these two repeats is evident at the chromosomal level, with observation of their occurrence on most c-heterochromatin. Moreover, we detected repeats shared between species, revealing that they experienced mainly quantitative variations and varied in the organization on chromosomes and evolutionary patterns. Together, our data allow the discussion of patterns of evolution of repetitive DNAs and c-heterochromatin that occurred in a short period of time, after separation of the Michmelia and Melipona subgenera. Laboratório de Citogenética de Insetos Departamento de Biologia Geral Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Campus Viçosa, Av. P.H. Rolfs s/n Departamento de Biologia Geral E Aplicada Instituto de Biociências/IB UNESP–Universidade Estadual Paulista Departamento de Biologia Geral E Aplicada Instituto de Biociências/IB UNESP–Universidade Estadual Paulista

This study evaluates the efficiency of acid extraction and total digestion to determine the presence of metals in geopropolis produced by the stingless bee Melipona scutellaris. Geopropolis samples were collected at five meliponaries in the city and in the metropolitan region of Salvador, Bahia State, Brazil. The sample treatment methods comprised acid extraction and total digestion. The Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP OES) technique was used to quantify Cd, Cu, Cr, Pb, and Zn. Geopropolis samples submitted to both digestion methods showed statistical differences. For both methods, Cr and Zn showed the highest concentrations, while those of Cd were the lowest. The Cr concentration for determination by total digestion was 37.53 mg/kg, while for acid extraction it was 32.90 mg/kg. For Zn, the concentration was 17.65 mg/kg and 8.85 mg/kg for total digestion and acid extraction, respectively. The total digestion method showed the highest concentrations of the metals evaluated; however, acid extraction (USEPA 3050b) is a more straightforward procedure for metal evaluation in geopropolis samples and presented values that support the use of geopropolis as a bioindicator. The acid extraction method USEPA 3050b, in combination with detection using ICP OES, showed efficiency in analyses carried out to determine metals in geopropolis.

Geopropolis has medicinal potential and has been studied due to its complex chemical composition, with more than 300 compounds already identified. However, its physical components are still little ...

This study proposes to investigate the influence of a vitamin-amino acid supplement on the weight of colonies of uruçu stingless bees (Melipona scutellaris). The experiment was carried out with 24 colonies and three treatments, which consisted of a solution of different proportions of supplement (0, 3, and 5 mL) diluted in syrup (water and sugar). Although this supplement is effective and indicated for other species of domestic animals, analysis of variance with repeated measures over time did not reveal a significant effect (P > 0.05) of its dose on the weight of the hives, showing that the supply of the vitamin-amino acid supplement does not meet the nutritional requirements of the colony. The use of this product did not have a positive effect on the development of the uruçu bee colonies, so it should not be employed as a major source of amino acids and vitamins in the diet of bees. Beekeepers are suggested to provide uruçu bees with an abundant diversity of plants so that they have access to different types of pollen as a source of nutrients. RESUMO O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar a influência do suplemento aminoácido vitamínico no peso de colônias de abelhas sem ferrão Uruçu (Melipona scutellaris). O experimento foi realizado com 24 colônias e três tratamentos, consistindo na oferta de uma solução de xarope (água e açúcar) diluído com diferentes proporções de 0, 3 e 5 mL de suplemento. Embora este suplemento seja eficaz e indicado para outras espécies animais de domésticos, a análise de variância com medida repetida no tempo não apresentou efeito significativo (P> 0,05) do nível desse suplemento sobre o peso das colmeias, mostrando que a oferta do suplemento aminoácido vitamínico, não supre a necessidade nutricional para a colônia. Conclui-se que o uso desse produto não surtiu efeito positivo no desenvolvimento de colônias de abelhas Uruçu (Melipona scutellaris), indicando que não deveria ser utilizado como fonte majoritária de aminoácido e de vitaminas na alimentação das abelhas. Sugere-se que os meliponicultores proporcionem às abelhas Uruçu (Melipona scutellaris) uma abundante diversidade de plantas a fim de que tenham acesso a diferentes tipos de pólen como fonte de nutrientes.

Este estudo busca caracterizar, através dos grãos de pólen, a origem botânica de amostras de mel produzido por Apis mellifera, Melipona scutellaris e Tetragonisca angustula, identificando recursos vegetais partilhados e analisando também a capacidade antimicrobiana das amostras. Trinta amostras foram analisadas e 13 apresentaram atividade antimicrobiana contra Staphylococcus aureus. Foram identificados 154 tipos polínicos compondo o espectro polínico dos méis analisados; 133 tiveram sua afinidade botânica inferida. Desses tipos polínicos, 82 foram observados nos méis de M. scutellaris, 75 nos méis de A. mellifera e 56 nos de T. angustula. Vinte tipos polínicos foram compartilhados nos méis das três espécies de abelha, merecendo destaque, por sua representatividade, as famílias Myrtaceae e Fabaceae. Apenas sete tipos ocuparam a classe de frequência de pólen dominante. A partir dos dados levantados, observa-se que os méis estudados se caracterizam como multiflorais e apenas alguns deles apresentam atividade antimicrobiana contra S. aureus.

This study aimed to characterize honey of Melipona scutellaris regarding its physicochemical parameters using the electronic tongue (e-tongue) technique combined with the multivariate statistical analysis for honey differentiation. Physicochemical parameters were evaluated following official methods of chemical analyses. A potentiometric electronic tongue with 16 cross-sensitivity sensors was used for the analysis. The Principal Component Analysis and the Cluster Analysis distinguished two groups for the sample set in the evaluation of physicochemical parameters, similar to results found using the electronic tongue. We verified a correlation greater than 0.70 between the profile of potentiometric signals and values of pH, ashes, electrical conductivity, HMF, diastase activity, reducing sugars, and apparent sucrose. The combined use of the electronic tongue with the statistical analysis showed the similarity between samples through the formation of two groups of the sample set. The electronic tongue may be used as a complement to traditional techniques of analyses to determine honey physicochemical parameters, constituting a promising tool in association with the multivariate statistical analysis. This study was financed in part by the “Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil” (CAPES) - Finance Code 001 and by the “Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado da Bahia” (FAPESB) - under grant PAM0004/2014. We thank “Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico” (CNPq) for the scholarship granted to CALC (No. 305885/2017-0). info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The objective of this research is to reduce the dimensionality of the set of original variables related to honey production and biometric measurements of stingless bees, eliminating redundant variables and recommending possible variables that should be maintained in future studies. Four collections were performed at 30-day intervals, consisting of the evaluation of each colony, considering the following parameters: honey pot size and volume (HPS and HPV), estimated honey production (EHP), number of combs (NC), average diameter of the combs (DC), comb height (CH), height of brood cells (HBC), number of brood (NB) population (POP) and beeswax brood capping(BBC). Of the 11 principal components generated, the first two were selected because they presented cumulative variation of 80%. The characteristics with the greatest weighting coefficients, in absolute value, in the first component were EHP (0.91), honey pot number (0.80) and HPS (0.78), characterizing CP1 as an index for determining the production of honey. In the second component, the NB and POP had the same weighting coefficient (0.95), which allows us to indicate CP2 as a biometric profile. The variables EHP, HPV, HPS, NB and POP were the most important among the two components selected and should be considered in future studies with Melipona scutellaris.

Social insects establish complex interactions with microorganisms, some of which play defensive roles in colony protection. The important role of pollinators such as the stingless bee Melipona scutellaris in nature encouraged us to pursue efforts to study its associated microbiota. Here we describe the discovery of two novel cyclic hexadepsipeptides, meliponamycin A (1) and meliponamycin B (2), from Streptomyces sp. ICBG1318 isolated from M. scutellaris nurse bees. Their structures were established by interpretation of NMR and MS data, and the absolute configuration of the constituent amino acids was determined by the advanced Marfey's method. Compounds 1 and 2 showed strong activity against the entomopathogen Paenibacillus larvae and human pathogens Staphylococcus aureus and Leishmania infantum.

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-29T08:34:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2022-02-01 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) In recent years, the importance of bee's biodiversity in the Neotropical region has been evidencing the relevance of including native bees in risk assessments. Therefore, the sublethal effects of the insecticide thiamethoxam on the survival and morphological parameters of the stingless bee Melipona scutellaris were investigated in the present study. Cells from both non-target organs (Malpighian tubules and midgut) and target organs (brain) were analyzed for morphological alterations using light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The findings showed that when M. scutellaris foragers were exposed to a sublethal concentration of thiamethoxam (LC50/100 = 0.000543 ng a. i./μL), longevity was not reduced but brain function was affected, even with the non-target organs attempting to detoxify. The cellular damage in all the organs was mostly reflected in irregular nuclei shape and condensed chromatin, indicating cell death. The most frequent impairments in the Malpighian tubules were loss of microvilli, disorganization of the basal labyrinth, and cytoplasmic loss. These characteristics are related to an attempt by the cells to increase the excretion process, probably because of the high number of toxic molecules that reach the Malpighian tubules and need to be secreted. In general, damages that compromise the absorption of nutrients, excretion, memory, and learning processes, which are essential for the survival of M. scutellaris, were found. The present results also fill in gaps on how these bees respond to thiamethoxam exposure and will be useful in future risk assessments for the conservation of bee biodiversity. Department of General and Applied Biology Institute of Biosciences São Paulo State University (UNESP) Department of Entomology and Acarology Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (ESALQ) Department of Biostatistics Institute of Biosciences e IBB São Paulo State University (UNESP) Department of General and Applied Biology Institute of Biosciences São Paulo State University (UNESP) Department of Biostatistics Institute of Biosciences e IBB São Paulo State University (UNESP) FAPESP: 2012/13370-8 FAPESP: 2013/21832-4 FAPESP: 2013/21833-0 FAPESP: 2015/20380-8 FAPESP: 2017/05953-7 FAPESP: 2017/21097-3 FAPESP: 2018/20435-5 FAPESP: 2020/03527-3

Social organization in highly eusocial bees relies upon two important processes: caste differentiation in female larvae, and age polyethism in adult workers. Juvenile Hormone (JH) is a key regulator of both processes. Here we investigated the expression of two genes involved in JH metabolism - mfe (biosynthesis) and jhe (degradation) - in the context of social organization in the stingless bee Melipona interrupta. We found evidence that the expression of mfe and jhe genes is related to changes in JH levels during late larval development, where caste determination occurs. Also, both mfe and jhe were upregulated when workers engage in intranidal tasks, but only jhe expression was downregulated at the transition from nursing to foraging activities. This relation is different than expected, considering recent reports of lower JH levels in foragers than nurses in the closely related species Melipona scutellaris. Our findings suggest that highly eusocial bees have different mechanisms to regulate JH and, thus, to maintain their level of social organization.

Made available in DSpace on 2021-06-25T10:44:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-11-01 Water is an important resource for stingless bees, serving for both honey dilution and the composition of larval food inside nests, yet can be an important route of exposure to pesticides. Assuming bees can forage naturally on pesticide-contaminated or noncontaminated areas, we investigated whether water supply influences the choice between neonicotinoid-dosed or nondosed feeders and on mortality of the stingless bee, Melipona scutellaris (Latreille, Hymenoptera, Apidae). At the field concentration, there was no significant mortality; however, the bees were not able to distinguish the feeders. In the cages containing high-concentration feeders, with water supply, the bees preferred nondosed food, and with no water, the mortality increased. Considering that in the field it is common to find extrapolated concentrations, our work suggested that water may allow avoidance of high dosed food and minimize mortality. Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais - Ceis Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho (UNESP-SP) Departamento de Ciências da Natureza Matemática e Educação Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar-SP) Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais - Ceis Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho (UNESP-SP)

Ambience is one of the relevant factors in the rational breeding of bees. The uruçu bee (Melipona scutellaris) is a species native to Brazil, known for its large production of honey in relation to other meliponines and easy handling. Swarming, however, can destabilize honey production. The objective of this research was to study the nesting behavior of the M. scutellaris bee in octagonal hives exposed to abiotic factors in the environment. The experiment was carried out in two municipalities (Lagoa Seca and Areia) located in the micro-region of the Paraíba swamp. Twenty octagonal beehives were used, with 8 holes each, representing the cardinal (N, S, L, O) and collateral (NE, SE, SO and NO) points. The influence of the nesting time, evolution of the closing of the holes, effect of the direction and speed of the wind, and influence of the temperature and relative humidity of the air in the opening and closing of the nesting holes were evaluated. It is concluded that 1. The activity of closing the holes of the octagonal hive with M. scutellaris happens more frequently in the afternoon (from 12 pm to 4 pm); 2. In Lagoa Seca-PB, the M. scutellaris bees have a preference for nesting in the NE collateral orientation, avoiding the O orientation; 3. In Areia-PB, the M. scutellaris bees prefer the cardinal orientation N as a nesting point and avoid the SE orientation; 4. The increase in temperature and relative humidity increases the opening of the orifices in octagonal hives occupied by M. scutellaris; and 5. The increase in wind incidence and speed reduces the possibility of opening holes in octagonal hives populated with M. scutellaris. El ambiente es uno de los factores relevantes en la cría racional de abejas. La abeja uruçu (Melipona scutellaris) es una especie originaria de Brasil, conocida por su gran producción de miel en relación con otras meliponinas y su fácil manejo. Sin embargo, el enjambre puede desestabilizar la producción de miel. El objetivo de esta investigación fue estudiar el comportamiento de nidificación de la abeja M. scutellaris en colmenas octogonales expuestas a factores abióticos del medio. El experimento se llevó a cabo en dos municipios (Lagoa Seca y Areia) ubicados en la microrregión del pantano de Paraíba. Se utilizaron veinte colmenas octogonales, con 8 agujeros cada una, que representan los puntos cardinales (N, S, L, O) y colaterales (NE, SE, SO y NO). Se evaluó la influencia del tiempo de anidación, evolución del cierre de los orificios, efecto de la dirección y velocidad del viento, e influencia de la temperatura y humedad relativa del aire en la apertura y cierre de los huecos de anidación. Se concluye que 1. La actividad de cerrar los orificios octogonales de la colmena con M. scutellaris ocurre con mayor frecuencia por la tarde (de 12 a 16 horas); 2. En Lagoa Seca-PB, las abejas M. scutellaris tienen preferencia por anidar en la orientación colateral NE, evitando la orientación O; 3. En Areia-PB, las abejas M. scutellaris prefieren la orientación cardinal N como punto de anidación y evitan la orientación SE; 4. El aumento de temperatura y humedad relativa aumenta la apertura de los orificios en las colmenas octogonales ocupadas por M. scutellaris; y 5. El aumento de la velocidad y la incidencia del viento reduce la posibilidad de que se abran huecos en las colmenas octogonales pobladas por M. scutellaris. A ambiência é um dos fatores relevantes na criação racional de abelhas. A abelha uruçu (Melipona scutellaris) é uma espécie nativa do Brasil, conhecida por sua grande produção de mel em relação aos demais meliponíneos e fácil manejo. A enxameação, porém, pode desestabilizar a produção de mel. O objetivo dessa pesquisa foi estudar o comportamento de nidificação da abelha M. scutellaris em colmeias octogonais expostas aos fatores abióticos do ambiente. O experimento foi desenvolvido em dois municípios (Lagoa Seca e Areia) localizados na microrregião do brejo paraibano. Utilizou-se 20 colmeias octogonais, com 8 orifícios cada, representando os pontos cardeais (N, S, L, O) e colaterais (NE, SE, SO e NO). Avaliou-se a influência do horário de nidificação, evolução do fechamento dos orifícios, efeito da direção e velocidade do vento, e influência da temperatura e umidade relativa do ar na abertura e fechamento dos orifícios de nidificação. Conclui-se que 1. A atividade de fechamento dos orifícios da colmeia octogonal com M. scutellaris acontece com mais frequência no período da tarde (das 12 às 16 horas); 2. Em Lagoa Seca-PB, as abelhas M. scutellaris apresentam preferência de nidificação na orientação colateral NE, evitando a orientação O; 3. Em Areia-PB, as abelhas M. scutellaris preferem a orientação cardeal N como ponto de nidificação e evitam a orientação SE; 4. O aumento da temperatura e da umidade relativa do ar aumentam a abertura dos orifícios em colmeias octogonais ocupadas por M. scutellaris; e 5. O aumento na incidência e velocidade do vento reduzem a possibilidade da existência de orifícios abertos em colmeias octogonais povoadas com M. scutellaris.

Melipona scutellaris (uruçu) é endêmica da região Nordeste do Brasil, poliniza um número diversificado de espécies de plantas e é importante na manutenção da biodiversidade dos biomas da região, como a Mata Atlântica. O presente trabalho analisou 16 amostras de geoprópolis produzidas por esta abelha em uma área de Mata Atlântica no município de Entre Rios (Bahia). As quais foram processadas seguindo a técnica de acetólise com modificações sugeridas para geoprópolis. 75 tipos de pólen foram encontrados, dos quais 59 foram identificados como pertencentes a 28 famílias botânicas. A família Fabaceae foi a mais importante com 12 tipos polínicos identificados. Os gêneros Cecropia (Urticaceae), Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae), Mimosa pudica (Fabaceae) e Myrcia I (Myrtaceae) estiveram presentes em todas as amostras analisadas. Os tipos polínicos Protium heptaphyllum (Buseraceae) e Schinus terebinthifolia (Anacardiaceae), ambos utilizados como fonte de resina pelas abelhas, apresentaram frequências de distribuição de 56,25% e 81,25%, respectivamente.

Submitted by Caio Eduardo da Costa Domingues (caio.domingues@unesp.br) on 2021-03-16T14:19:50Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese BCM - Caio Domingues.pdf: 7237993 bytes, checksum: deae7cd7149585c46dffadc2abb23190 (MD5) Approved for entry into archive by Ana Paula Santulo Custódio de Medeiros null (asantulo@rc.unesp.br) on 2021-03-17T12:24:20Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 domingues_cec_dr_rcla_par.pdf: 748187 bytes, checksum: 8ff6e0aa0f551e1ef63c4c5fd96ea1d6 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2021-03-17T12:24:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 domingues_cec_dr_rcla_par.pdf: 748187 bytes, checksum: 8ff6e0aa0f551e1ef63c4c5fd96ea1d6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2021-03-03 Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) As abelhas são essenciais na preservação de ecossistemas e muito importantes na agricultura, tendo em conta a relevância dos serviços ecossistêmicos de polinização prestados por estes insetos. A espécie Apis mellifera é a principal polinizadora em culturas agrícolas, proporcionando benefícios na qualidade e quantidade da produção de muitas espécies utilizadas na alimentação humana. Em contrapartida, a espécie nativa sem ferrão Melipona scutellaris é vital para a manutenção da flora nativa. No entanto, o uso de agrotóxicos associado à fragmentação de habitats e agricultura intensiva são uma ameaça às populações dessas espécies de abelhas. Tendo isso em vista, o presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar os efeitos biológicos do fungicida piraclostrobina, em escala individual e subindividual, de larvas, recém-emergidas e forrageiras de A. mellifera Africanizada e forrageiras de M. scutellaris, bem como avaliar o desenvolvimento de colônias de A. mellifera iberiensis antes e após exposição ao inseticida acetamiprida em plantações de eucaliptos em Portugal. Na primeira parte da pesquisa, conduzida em laboratório, larvas de A. mellifera Africanizada receberam dieta artificial, in vitro, contendo três concentrações de piraclostrobina [911,25 ng/mL; 94,06 ng/mL e 30,25 ng/mL], do terceiro ao sexto dia de alimentação. Após a exposição, larvas de quinto instar e recém-emergidas foram dissecadas, processadas histologicamente para avaliação imuno-histoquímica por meio do diagnóstico de morte celular no epitélio do intestino e marcação de quitina na matriz peritrófica. Efeitos prejudiciais no desenvolvimento pós-embrionário não foram observados. Entretanto, as concentrações mais altas de piraclostrobina induziram lesões no intestino, como morte celular, e aumento na intensidade de marcação de quitina na matriz peritrófica das larvas e recém-emergidas. Na segunda parte da pesquisa laboratorial, abelhas recém-emergidas e forrageiras de A. mellifera Africanizada e M. scutellaris foram submetidas a exposição oral por cinco dias, a três concentrações residuais de piraclostrobina [0,125 ng i.a./mL; 0,025 ng i.a./mL e 0,005 ng i.a./mL]. Os parâmetros observados foram tempo de sobrevivência dos adultos, análises morfológicas, qualitativas e semiquantitativas, e histoquímicas. Os resultados demonstraram redução da longevidade, aumento nos índices totais de lesões e diminuição na intensidade de marcação de macromoléculas como proteínas, polissacarídeos neutros e glicoconjugados, no intestino médio das forrageiras de A. mellifera e M. scutellaris. As operárias recém-emergidas de A. mellifera não apresentaram redução da sobrevivência e lesões no intestino médio, contudo, houve redução de intensidade de marcação para polissacarídeos neutros e glicoconjugados. Como consequência da exposição ao piraclostrobina, a saúde individual de ambas as espécies foi afetada e isso pode comprometer e prejudicar a manutenção da saúde da colônia. Nesse sentido, estudos com concentrações residuais de fungicidas presentes no alimento e os seus efeitos em diferentes espécies de abelhas são relevantes para estimar a sensibilidade interespecífica e subsidiar futuros programas de avaliação de risco das abelhas. Em relação à pesquisa conduzida em Portugal, duas janelas de estudo foram selecionadas em paisagens dominadas por eucaliptos. No centro de cada local foi instalado um apiário, sendo definidos como apiário controle e apiário com aplicação pontual de acetamiprida. O monitoramento foi realizado durante seis meses, onde a saúde e o desenvolvimento das colônias, bem como a distância de forrageamento, presença de resíduos de agrotóxicos e a utilização de recursos nas paisagens foram avaliadas. Os resultados demonstraram que não houve diferença no desenvolvimento das colônias, observados por meio da população adulta, células de ninho e produção de mel entre os locais, antes e após exposição ao inseticida. A distância de forrageamento das colônias do apiário aplicação indicaram que menos de 4% entraram em contato com o raio da aplicação pontual. A coleta de recursos pelas colônias demonstrou-se mais intensa antes da aplicação de acetamiprida, com destaque para as espécies da vegetação arbustiva e subarbustiva. Apesar disso, resíduos de acetamiprida foram detectados em amostras de pólen e bee bread. Diante do exposto, o período de aplicação do inseticida não foi prejudicial para as colônias, contudo, os resultados se aplicam as condições específicas do local estudado. Desta maneira, os parâmetros utilizados no monitoramento das colônias ofereceram informações importantes que podem contribuir para uma menor exposição das abelhas nas diferentes paisagens em que os agrotóxicos são utilizados. Bees are essential in the preservation of ecosystems and important in agriculture, considering the relevance of the ecosystem services of pollination provided by these insects. Apis mellifera is the main pollinator in crops, providing benefits in the quality and quantity of the production of many species used in human food. In contrast, the stingless native species Melipona scutellaris is vital for the maintenance of native flora. However, the use of pesticides associated with habitat fragmentation and intensive agriculture are a threat to the populations of these bee species. Keeping this in view, the present study aimed to evaluate the biological effects of fungicide pyraclostrobin, on an individual and subindividual scale, of larvae, newly emerged bees, and foragers of Africanized A. mellifera and foragers of M. scutellaris, as well as to evaluate the development of A. mellifera iberiensis colonies before and after exposure to the insecticide acetamiprid in eucalyptus plantations in Portugal. In the first part of the research, conducted in the laboratory, Africanized A. mellifera larvae were given an artificial diet, in vitro, containing three concentrations of pyraclostrobin [911,25 ng/mL; 94,06 ng/mL and 30,25 ng/mL], from the third to the sixth day of feeding. After exposure, fifth instar larvae and newly emerged bees were dissected, processed histologically for immunohistochemical evaluation through the diagnosis of cell death in the intestine epithelium and chitin marking in the peritrophic matrix. Harmful effects on post-embryonic development were not observed. However, higher concentrations of pyraclostrobin induced lesions in the intestine, such as cell death, and increased intensity of chitin marking in the peritrophic matrix of larvae and newly emerged bees. In the second part of the laboratory research, newly emerged bees, and foragers of Africanized A. mellifera and M. scutellaris were subjected to oral exposure for five days to three residual concentrations of pyraclostrobin [0.125 ng a.i./mL; 0.025 ng a.i./mL and 0.005 ng a.i./mL]. The parameters observed were survival rate, morphological, qualitative and semi-quantitative analyses, and histochemicals. The results showed a reduction in longevity, an increase in the total lesions index and a decrease in the labeling intensity of macromolecules such as proteins, neutral polysaccharides and glycoconjugates, in the midgut of foragers of A. mellifera and M. scutellaris. The newly emerged workers of A. mellifera did not present reduction of survival and lesions in the midgut, however, there was a reduction of labeling intensity for neutral polysaccharides and glycoconjugates. As a consequence of exposure to pyraclostrobin, the individual health of both species has been affected and this can compromise and harm the maintenance of the health of the colony. In this sense, studies with residual concentrations of fungicides present in food and their effects on different bee species are relevant to estimate interspecific sensitivity and to subsidize future programs of risk assessment of bees. Regarding the research conducted in Portugal, two areas were selected in landscapes dominated by eucalyptus. In the center of each location was installed an apiary, in which were defined as a control apiary and apiary with a punctual application of acetamiprid. The monitoring was carried out over six months, where the health and development of the colonies, as well as the foraging ranges, presence of pesticide residues and the use of resources in the landscapes were evaluated. The results showed that there was no difference in the development of the colonies, observed through the adult population, nest cells and honey production between the sites, before and after exposure to the insecticide. The foraging ranges of the apiary application colonies indicated that less than 4% came in contact with the radius of the point application. The collection of resources by the colonies proved to be more intense before the application of acetamiprid, with emphasis on species of shrub and subarbustive vegetation. Nevertheless, acetamiprid residues were detected in pollen and bee bread samples. Therefore, the period of application of the insecticide was not harmful to the colonies, however, the results apply to the specific conditions of the site studied. In this way, the parameters used in the monitoring of the colonies offered important information that can contribute to a lower exposure of the bees in the different landscapes where the pesticides are used. CAPES: 001 FAPESP: 2016/15743-7. FAPESP: 2018/05072-3.

Native bees, besides excellent producers of honey, lend a great legacy to humanity through their ability to pollinate plants and the consequent preservation of ecosystems. In this interspecific relation, bees are benefited by plant species by the provision of food (nectar and pollen), besides using their branches and trunks for lodging. However, the anthropogenic action has jeopardized the survival of stingless bees, causing irreversible environmental damage in the preservation of natural resources. This study aimed to identify the nesting habits of native bees under natural conditions. Random trails in the Curimataú micro-region of Paraíba allowed identifying nesting sites of indigenous species in their natural habitat. Sixty honeycomb nests were identified in 12 different plant species, being Commiphora leptophloeos the most preferred host (46.66%), with 55% of the entrance holes pointed to magnetic orientations between the Northeast and Northwest; a greater choice by host trees (85%); preference for nesting in host plants with a circumference of 0.98 m in diameter, entrance hole of nests of 7.77 mm in diameter, and height from the ground of 1.52 m. The obtained data showed little variety of stingless bee species in the Curimataú region of Paraíba, especially Melipona subnitida. The species Melipona asilvae, Melipona scutellaris, Partamona seridoenses, and Plebeia sp. should receive special attention not to become extinct in this region. Resumo As melíponas, além de excelentes produtoras de mel, prestam um grande serviço à humanidade através da sua capacidade de polinizar plantas e sua consequente preservação de ecossistemas. Nessa relação interespecífica harmônica, as abelhas são beneficiadas pelas espécies vegetais pelo provimento do alimento (néctar e pólen), além de utilizarem seus galhos e troncos para se alojarem. Porém, a ação antrópica predatória tem colocado em risco a sobrevivência das melíponas, causando danos ambientais irreversíveis e comprometendo a preservação dos recursos naturais. Este trabalho objetivou identificar os hábitos de nidificação das abelhas nativas em condições naturais. Por meio de trilhas aleatórias na microrregião do Curimataú paraibano foi possível identificar os pontos de nidificação das espécies de meliponíneos em seu habitat natural. Foram identificados 60 ninhos de melíponas nidificando em 12 espécies vegetais diferentes, sendo a Commiphora leptophloeos a hospedeira de maior preferência (46,66%), com 55% dos orifícios de entrada apontados para orientações magnéticas entre o Nordeste e Noroeste; com maior escolha por hospedeiras (árvores) [85%]; apresentando preferência por nidificação em vegetais hospedeiros com circunferência de 0,98 m de diâmetro, orifício de entrada dos ninhos com 7,77 mm de diâmetro e uma altura do solo de 1,52 m; Os dados obtidos revelam pouca variedade de espécies melíponas na região Curimataú paraibano, com destaque para Melipona subnitida. As espécies Melipona asilvae, Melipona scutellaris, Partomona seridoenses e Plebeia sp. devem ter uma atenção especial para não entrarem em extinção nessa região.

Stingless bees are endemic in northeastern Brazil, where they are exploited for honey production and crop pollination. The therapeutic use of honey can be attributed to its antibacterial and antioxidant activities. The effects of time and storage temperature on Melipona scutellaris honey were evaluated by physicochemical and microbiological parameters as well as by the analysis of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity. Fresh honey samples were monitored at 5 and 30 °C for 150 days. The total acidity and HMF increased, while pH and diastase activity significantly decreased over time at 30 °C (p < 0.05). Fresh honey met all the established parameters. In contrast, due to storage, it failed to meet the criteria set in the current legislation for Melipona with the most drastic shortcomings observed at 30 °C. Unlike monosaccharides, acetic and lactic acid concentrations increased, indicating fermentation. During storage, the total phenolic compounds and flavonoids contents were reduced along with antioxidant activities measured by DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP methods. On the 60th day of storage at 5 °C, dextrose crystallization began, and the water content increased. Storage at 5 °C for up to 60 days resulted in minor changes, but after 150 days, storage at 30 °C showed reduced bioactive degradation and higher antioxidant activity. Therefore, the storage conditions associated with crystallization were found to control the stability of Melipona scutellaris honey.

Stingless bees have been recognized as essential plant pollinators and producers of various natural products in neotropical areas. Research into the potential risks of pesticides they may be exposed to in agricultural fields, however, remains meagre. Especially the toxicity of pesticide mixtures likely to occur under real-world conditions and that are likely to exert synergetic effects has been poorly studied. The aim of the present study was therefore to evaluate the single and mixture acute contact and oral toxicity of commercial products containing the insecticide abamectin and the fungicide difenoconazole in laboratory bioassays with the Brazilian native stingless bee Melipona scutellaris. In addition, a comparison of the insecticide sensitivity of stingless bees relative to the honeybee Apis mellifera was made based on previously published toxicity data. Except for oral exposure to abamectin, M. scutellaris appeared to be more sensitive that A. mellifera in the single compound toxicity tests. A difenoconazole concentration at the NOEC (no observed effect concentration) level indicated a synergetic toxic interaction with abamectin. A sensitivity comparison based on published toxicity data for A. mellifera and stingless bees indicated several insecticidal modes of action having a high relative sensitivity to stingless bees that need especial consideration in future studies. The research findings highlight the need for testing native bee species and environmentally relevant pesticide mixtures in risk assessments to avoid underestimation of potential risks to bee populations and the subsequent loss of pollination ecosystem services.

In bees from genus Melipona, differential feeding is not enough to fully explain female polyphenism. In these bees, there is a hypothesis that in addition to the environmental component (food), a genetic component is also involved in caste differentiation. This mechanism has not yet been fully elucidated and may involve epigenetic and metabolic regulation. Here, we verified that the genes encoding histone deacetylases HDAC1 and HDAC4 and histone acetyltransferase KAT2A were expressed at all stages of Melipona scutellaris, with fluctuations between developmental stages and castes. In larvae, the HDAC genes showed the same profile of Juvenile Hormone titers—previous reported—whereas the HAT gene exhibited the opposite profile. We also investigated the larvae and larval food metabolomes, but we did not identify the putative queen-fate inducing compounds, geraniol and 10-hydroxy-2E-decenoic acid (10HDA). Finally, we demonstrated that the histone deacetylase inhibitor 10HDA—the major lipid component of royal jelly and hence a putative regulator of honeybee caste differentiation—was unable to promote differentiation in queens in Melipona scutellaris. Our results suggest that epigenetic and hormonal regulations may act synergistically to drive caste differentiation in Melipona and that 10HDA is not a caste-differentiation factor in Melipona scutellaris.

In bees from genus Melipona, differential feeding is not enough to fully explain female polyphenism. In these bees, there is a hypothesis that in addition to the environmental component (food), a genetic component is also involved caste differentiation regulation. This mechanism has not yet been fully elucidated and may involve epigenetic and metabolic regulation. Here, we analysed the expression of the genes encoding histone deacetylases HDAC1 and HDAC4 and histone acetyltransferase KAT2A in Melipona scutellaris. We also investigated the metabolic profile of larvae and larval food to search for putative queen-fate inducing compounds. Finally, we assessed the effect of the histone deacetylase inhibitor 10-hydroxy-2E-decenoic acid (10HDA) - the major lipid component of royal jelly and hence a putative regulator of honeybee caste differentiation - on Melipona caste differentiation. The hdac1, hdac4 and kat2a transcripts were expressed at all stages, with fluctuations in developmental stages and castes, which may be related to endocrine regulation. We did not identify the putative caste-differentiation factors, geraniol and 10HDA. Also, 10HDA was unable to promote differentiation in queens. Our results suggest that epigenetic and hormonal regulations act synergistically for drive caste differentiation in Melipona and that 10HDA is not a caste-differentiation factor in Melipona scutellaris.

As abelhas são consideradas agentes significativa para os serviços ecossistêmicos por meio da polarização em culturas e plantas nativas, contribuindo expressivamente para a manutenção da biodiversidade. No entanto, a diminuição mundial da população de abelhas também está aliada ao uso de pesticidas e inseticidas, prejudicando a saúde das abelhas e das colônias. Nesse contexto, estudos envolvendo avaliação de efeitos adversos e amalgamação de agrotóxicos por abelhas são motivos de grande preocupação. Neste estudo foi desenvolvido um método analítico para a determinação do inseticida tiametoxam (TMX) e imidaclopride (IMD) em tecidos de abelha sem ferrão Melipona scutellaris expostos a vias de exposição oral e tópica. O método QuEChERS modificado foi usado para preparar as amostras, seguido por cromatografia líquida de alto desempenho com detector de matriz de diodos (HPLC-DAD) e cromatografia líquida - espectrometria de massa em tandem (LC-MS/MS). Os parâmetros de validação do método desenvolvido incluíram: faixa linear entre 0,5 a 500 µg L-1 com R2 > 0,99. O limite de quantificação (LOQ) para o sistema LC-MS /MS foi 1,19 µg L-1 e 1,13 µg L-1 e para HPLC-DAD 306 µg L-1 e 315 µg L-1 para TMX e IMD, respectivamente. O método LOQ foi de 2,5 ng abelha-1 para ambos os inseticidas. O acúmulo de TMX e IMD nas vias oral e tópica de exposição foi verificado nas abelhas testadas e os resultados obtidos indicaram que é adequado para a determinação e quantificação de resíduos de inseticidas neonicotinoides nesta espécie. A mortalidade de abelhas foi maior para a exposição por via oral do que a tópica para ambos os pesticidas. Além disso, métricas analíticas verdes foram calculadas e comparadas com métodos descritos na literatura envolvendo análise de neonicotinoides em abelhas. Como resultado, o presente trabalho apresentou os maiores escores Eco e HPLC-EAT, e a segunda menor quantidade de amostra e de resíduos gerados . Nesse sentido, este trabalho é uma boa opção como método analítico verde. Também foram analisadas as respostas bioquímicas ao estresse devido à exposição a agrotóxicos. As atividades de superóxido dismutase (SOD), glutationa S-transferase (GST), acetilcolinesterase (AChE) e malondialdeído (MDA), níveis de dopamina e serotonina foram determinadas em tecidos de abelhas expostas a pesticidas, a fim de explorar estratégias de desintoxicação e tolerância das abelhas . As respostas dependeram do tempo de exposição, da concentração de pesticidas nas formas individual e mista, bem como do uso de padrão de alta pureza ou produto comercial. Bees are considered significant agents for ecosystem services through polarization in native cultures and plants, contributing expressively for maintaining biodiversity. However, the worldwide decrease on bee population is also allied to the use of pesticides and insecticides, disturbing both bees and colonies health. In this context, studies involving the assessment of adverse effects and amalgamation of pesticides by bees are reasons for great concern. In this study an analytical method was developed for the determination of the insecticides thiamethoxam (TMX) and imidacloprid (IMD) in stingless bee Melipona scutellaris tissues exposed to both oral and topical paths of exposure. The modified QuChERS method was used to prepare the samples, followed by high performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detector (HPLC-DAD) and liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. The validation parameters of the developed method included: linear range between 0.5 to 500 µg L-1 with R2 > 0.99. The limit of quantification (LOQ) for the LC-MS/MS system was 1.19 µg L-1 and 1.13 µg L-1 and for HPLC-DAD were 306 µg L-1 and 315 µg L-1 for TMX and IMD, respectively. The method LOQ was 2.5 ng bee-1 for both the insecticides. The accumulation of TMX and IMD in both oral and topical paths of exposure was verified in the tested bees and the obtained results indicated that it is suitable for the determination and quantification of neonicotinoid insecticides residues in this species. The mortality of bees was higher for exposure by oral paths than the topical one for both pesticides. Moreover, green analytical metrics were calculated and compared to methods described in the literature involving neonicotinoids analysis in honeybees. As a result, the present work displayed the highest Eco score and HPLC-EAT score, and the second smaller amount of sample and of waste generated. In this sense, this work is a good option as a green analytical method. It was also analyzed the biochemical responses to stress due to the exposure to pesticides. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S-transferase (GST), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and malondialdehyde (MDA), dopamine and serotonin levels were determined in bee tissues exposed to pesticides in order to explore bees\' strategies for detoxification and tolerance. The responses were dependent on time exposure, pesticides concentration in both individual and mixed forms, as well as the use of high purity pattern or commercial product.

Transportation to long distances and handling of colonies can affect development and survival conditions of bees. Our study investigated the stress intensity of individuals of Melipona scutellaris Latreille, 1811, due to transportation of colonies to long distances, within the natural range of the species. We used 746 bee workers. The right and left forewings were removed and measured using 15 landmarks in vein insertions. Individuals were divided into four groups: (1) workers collected at the origin site, (2) workers emerged at the place of destination in pupal stage during transportation, (3) workers emerged at the destination site in the 3rd instar of larval stage during transportation, and (4) workers collected after three months of colony establishment at the destination site. The Procrustes ANOVA showed significant results as well as the presence of Fluctuating Asymmetry (FA) in all treatments for the shape of wings (P

Made available in DSpace on 2021-06-25T10:35:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-12-15 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Native stingless bees are key pollinators of native flora and important for many crops. However, the loss of natural fragments and exposure to pesticides can hinder the development of colonies and represent a high risk for them. Nevertheless, most studies are conducted with honeybees and there are not many studies on native species, especially in relation to the effects of fungicides on them. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to evaluate the effects of sublethal concentrations of pyraclostrobin, on Melipona scutellaris forager workers. These Brazilian native stingless bees were submitted to continuous oral exposure to three concentrations of pyraclostrobin in sirup: 0.125 ng a.i./µL (P1), 0.025 ng a.i./µL (P2), and 0.005 ng a.i./µL (P3). Histopathological and histochemical parameters of midgut, as well as survival rate were evaluated. All concentrations of fungicide showed an increase in the midgut lesion index and morphological signs of cell death, such as cytoplasmic vacuolizations, presence of atypical nuclei or pyknotic nuclei. Histochemical analyzes revealed a decreased marking of polysaccharides and neutral glycoconjugates both in the villi and in peritrophic membrane in all exposed-groups in relation to control-groups. P1 and P2 groups presented a reduction in total protein marking in digestive cells in relation to control groups. As a consequence of alteration in the midgut, all groups exposed to fungicide showed a reduced survival rate. These findings demonstrate that sublethal concentrations of pyraclostrobin can lead to significant adverse effects in stingless bees. These effects on social native bees indicate the need for reassessment of the safety of fungicides to bees. Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) - “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” Instituto de Biociências (IB) Departamento de Biologia Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais (CEIS) Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar) Departamento de Biologia (DBio) NuPECA (Núcleo de Pesquisa em Ecotoxicologia e Conservação de Abelhas) Laboratório de Ecotoxicologia e Análise de Integridade Ambiental (LEIA) Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) - “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” Instituto de Biociências (IB) Departamento de Biologia Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais (CEIS) FAPESP: 2016/15743-7 FAPESP: 2017/21097-3 CNPq: 400540/21097-3

The introduction of species is an important global threat to native ecosystems and yet little is known about invasion risks of non-native bees. Moreover, urbanization is increasing rapidly around the world with impact on the bee fauna. The city of Curitiba (Brazil) could be considered a model system for studies under this scope, with historical samplings and monitoring programs since the 1940s. This paper aims to quantify the current ecological impact of the non-native bee species present in Curitiba by using an integrative measure of impact and to define their current population status by classifying them into a unified framework for biological invasions. Ten sites were actively sampled in the metropolitan area of Curitiba during ten months. In addition to Apis mellifera Linnaeus, 1758, we found two others non-native species, Anthidium manicatum (Linnaeus, 1758) and Melipona scutellaris Latreille, 1811. None of them changed the native bee community structure, but they got different values of impact due to their ranges and abundances. While the honeybee is a known invasive species, A. manicatum was also considered invasive and has persisted in the city since the 1940s, interacting with the non-native plant Leonurus japonicus Houtt. M. scutellaris, a cultivated stingless bee species, had its first record for the city and fits the casual non-native category. We suggest monitoring the non-native bee species and actions centered on beekeepers to avoid future illegal introductions. The honey production or hobby interest on stingless bees can offer additional obstacles for species conservation when decoupled of scientific knowledge.

Social insects are frequently observed in symbiotic association with bacteria that produce antimicrobial natural products as a defense mechanism. There is a lack of studies on the microbiota associated with stingless bees and their antimicrobial compounds. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to report the isolation of Paenibacillus polymyxa ALLI-03-01 from the larval food of the stingless bee Melipona scutellaris. The bacterial strain was cultured under different conditions and produced (L)-(-)-3-phenyllactic acid and fusaricidins, which were active against entomopathogenic fungi and Paenibacillus larvae. Our results indicate that such natural products could be related to colony protection, suggesting a defense symbiosis between P. polymyxa ALLI-03-01 and Melipona scutellaris.

Geopropolis, a different type of propolis, presents a mixture of resin and exudates, containing wax, silt, and sand particles. This product has been the subject of research interest for its physicochemical properties, economic importance, and likely for environmental monitoring. The determination of toxic metals in hive products has been reported as an efficient tool for environmental monitoring. As the honey production is now common in urban environments, this study aimed to determine the concentration of toxic metals in the Melipona scutellaris geopropolis of the Metropolitan Region of Salvador, Bahia. Geopropolis and soil samples were collected from seven important beehives between June 2015 and July 2016. After EPA 3050B acid digestion procedure, metals were determined by ICP OES. As the geopropolis is partially made from soil, the values of Cr and Fe were extremely more important than the values reported in propolis, wax, and honey found in other worldwide studies. It gives different characteristics to this product depending on the location of the hive and characterizes it as an efficient integrating indicator of soil pollution. Using the enrichment factor, we determined that the soils around the meliponary are not or only slightly polluted by Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn. However, there was a shift in the particle size of geopropolis, being loamier and less sandy than the surrounding soil. In such case, a higher metal content could be expected, though no metal enrichment in the geopropolis was found, even a decrease in zinc, possibly due to the exclusion of metals by bees, was noted. Nevertheless, the results on the proportions of lithogenic metal and anthropogenic metal indicate that some metals have an external origin (about 20% for Ni and Cu). Geopropolis can be considered as a good environmental indicator even in low contaminated areas.

Melipona scutellaris Latreille, 1811 (Hymenoptera, Apidae) is a pollinator of various native and cultivated plants. Because of the expansion of agriculture and the need to ensure pest control, the use of insecticides such as fipronil (FP) has increased. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of sublethal doses of FP insecticide on M. scutellaris at different time intervals (6, 12, and 24 h) after exposure, via individually analyzed behavioral biomarkers (locomotor activity, behavioral change) as well as the effect of FP on different brain structures of bees (mushroom bodies, antennal cells, and optic cells), using sub-individual cell biomarkers (heterochromatin dispersion, total nuclear and heterochromatic volume). Forager bees were collected when they were returning to the nest and were exposed to three different concentrations of FP (0.40, 0.040, and 0.0040 ng a.i/bee) by topical application. The results revealed a reduction in the mean velocity, lethargy, motor difficulty, paralysis, and hyperexcitation in all groups of bees treated with FP. A modification of the heterochromatic dispersion pattern and changes in the total volume of the nucleus and heterochromatin were also observed in the mushroom bodies (6, 12, and 24 h of exposure) and antennal lobes (6 and 12 h) of bees exposed to 0.0040 ng a.i/bee (LD50/100). FP is toxic to M. scutellaris and impairs the essential functions required for the foraging activity.

Native bees are key pollinators to native and cultivated plants. Understanding the effects of the products used in crops on bees is crucial and can help establish management measures that offer more protection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the 1/2 the commercial dose; the commercial dose (2,4-D 1,000 g a.i. ha-1, glyphosate 760 g a.i. ha-1, glyphosate + 2,4-D 760 g a.i. ha-1 + 1,000 g a.i. ha-1, and picloram 2% (v/v) and 2x the commercial dose of glyphosate, 2,4-D, picloram, and glyphosate+2,4-D on the survival of bees Melipona scutellaris by contact and oral exposure. We also evaluated the impact of herbicides used in semi-field realistic conditions on temperature control and weight of colonies of M. scutellaris. The results show that there was no decrease in longevity when half of the recommended field dose was applied. When field dose was used, topically exposed bees to glyphosate + 2,4-D had a decrease in longevity. In oral exposure both to the recommended field dose and the double dose, bees had reduced longevity, except those exposed to a double dose of 2,4-D. In semi-field conditions, there were no differences between control and exposure colonies. The data presented indicate that the herbicides may affect bees directly compromise their survival and indirectly they might affect the process of pollination.

The dataset showed in this manuscript belongs to the investigation of the Southern-Brazilian geopropolis of stingless bees. Stingless bees are native species of insects from tropical areas; they produce honey, pollen and geopropolis that is composed of a mix of vegetal extracts, digestive enzymes, and mostly by soil. Used in folk medicine as antiseptic, antioxidant and antimicrobial agent, the composition is due to bee species, climate changes, local flora, and soil type. Moreover, the complex chemical content gives to the geopropolis a bioactive potential, with scavenging characteristics that is important to avoid free radical damages in the human health.Regarding the importance of exploring new natural matrices sources with bioactive potential, the first approach of chemical characterization of geopropolis is indispensable. Thus, ten samples of Southern-Brazilian geopropolis were analyzed and the bioactive responses obtained were discussed in the accompanying article titled “Southern-Brazilian geopropolis: A potential source of polyphenolic compounds and assessment of mineral composition”. Furthermore, the physicochemical analysis of moisture and ash content, the yield of extraction, the reducing activity and free radical scavenging potential of ethanolic extracts, the antimicrobial activity, and the analysis of HPLC-ESI-MS/MS chromatograms are the main data presented in brief. The data can guide scientists in order to know methods and data for these samples. Keywords: Stingless bess propolis, Melipona mondury, Melipona quadrifasciata, Melipona scutellaris, Melipona seminigra, Tetragonisca angustula, Antimicrobial potential, Chemical characterization

Made available in DSpace on 2018-12-11T16:55:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2018-08-01 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Melipona bees are remarkable due to the high contrast in heterochromatin amounts, making this group interesting for studying repetitive DNA amplification. Here, we performed the first efforts for the chromosomal localization of different repetitive DNAs in M. (Michmelia) scutellaris and tested for unique or multiple heterochromatin amplification in Melipona subgenera. Our data revealed enrichment of repetitive DNAs in chromosomal heterochromatic arms demonstrated by C0t-DNA and DOP-PCR probe hybridization, although microsatellites and multigene families were located at terminal euchromatic regions. Analysis using C0t-DNA probe from M. scutellaris showed positive hybridization only in Michmelia species, suggesting monophyletic amplification and sharing of heterochromatin sequences between species. However, the subgenus Melikerria, with a high amount of heterochromatin, probably underwent independent heterochromatin amplification or experienced sequence modification. Departamento de Biologia Instituto de Biociências/IB UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista Departamento de Biologia Instituto de Biociências/IB UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista FAPESP: 2014/11763-8 CNPq: 304758/2014-0

Penicillium and Talaromyces species have a worldwide distribution and are isolated from various materials and hosts, including insects and their substrates. The aim of this study was to characterize the Penicillium and Talaromyces species obtained during a survey of honey, pollen and the inside of nests of Melipona scutellaris. A total of 100 isolates were obtained during the survey and 82% of those strains belonged to Penicillium and 18% to Talaromyces. Identification of these isolates was performed based on phenotypic characters and ß-tubulin and ITS sequencing. Twenty-one species were identified in Penicillium and six in Talaromyces, including seven new species. These new species were studied in detail using a polyphasic approach combining phenotypic, molecular and extrolite data. The four new Penicillium species belong to sections Sclerotiora (Penicillium fernandesiae sp. nov., Penicillium mellis sp. nov., Penicillium meliponae sp. nov.) and Gracilenta (Penicillium apimei sp. nov.) and the three new Talaromyces species to sections Helici (Talaromyces pigmentosus sp. nov.), Talaromyces (Talaromyces mycothecae sp. nov.) and Trachyspermi (Talaromyces brasiliensis sp. nov.). The invalidly described species Penicillium echinulonalgiovense sp. nov. was also isolated during the survey and this species is validated here.

The proboscis extension reflex (PER) applied to restrained individuals is an important method to assess the sucrose responsiveness under laboratory conditions. Several authors have used the PER bioassay to assess behavioral effects of pesticides. A lot of them reported the difficult to use this method with non-Apis bees showing that this basic technique cannot be applied for all bees. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sucrose responsiveness of two brazilian stingless bees, Melipona scutellaris and Scaptotrigona postica using two different protocols: the traditional one and the new one where bees have free movements. In both cases, the bees were anesthetized (freezing) and inserted into plastic tubes with the tip cut out. After a starvation period were offered an increasing concentration of sucrose-water solution (w/v). Between the solutions, were offered water. With the traditional method, the sucrose responsiveness were observed only in M. scutellaris bees (12.5% of tested bees) in just one sucrose concentration (75%). Using the methodology with free movements, both species showed sucrose responsiveness in all concentrations (25%, 50% and 75%) tested. The number of M. scutellaris bees that had sucrose response ranged from 53.7% to 76.2 % depending on the sucrose concentration. And the number of S. postica ranged from 54% to 79%. These results showed that using the methodology with free movements the sucrose responsiveness can be assessment non-Apis bees.