Cytogenetic analysis of the Amazon stingless bee Melipona seminigra merrillae reveals different chromosome number for the genus

Cytogenetic analysis of the Amazon stingless bee Melipona seminigra merrillae, by conventional Giemsa staining and C-banding, revealed a different chromosome number for Melipona: 2n = 22 for females and diploid drones while the haploid drones present n = 11. There is no evidence of B chromosomes. This result contrasts with previous studies, in which the chromosome number of 19 Melipona species was determined as 2n = 18 for females and n = 9 for haploid males. Based on cytogenetic information available for other Melipona species, we propose that M. s. merrillae has a more derived diploid number. This indicates that chromosome number is not a conservative characteristic within the genus as previously thought. Cytogenetic data for stingless bees are scarce, especially in Amazon region. Additional studies will be very important in order to promote Melipona karyoevolution discussion and consequently a taxonomy review.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Francini,Izaura Bezerra, Gross,Maria Claudia, Nunes-Silva,Carlos Gustavo, Carvalho-Zilse,Gislene Almeida
Format: Digital revista
Language:English
Published: Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz" 2011
Online Access:http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0103-90162011000500012
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!