Taxonomic revision of the species of Scaptotrigona Moure, 1942 (Apidae: Meliponini) occurring in Brazil

• Grant number: 22/05064-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: September 01, 2022
• End date: February 29, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Taxonomy of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Eduardo Andrade Botelho de Almeida
• Grantee: Matheus Mourão Carvalho
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 19/09215-6 - Countering the taxonomic impediment of aculeate wasps: micro- and macroregional visions of the neotropical fauna, AP.BTA.TEM

Abstract

Scaptotrigona is a genus of Neotropical stingless bees that includes 48 valid species, 16 of which have been recorded in Brazil. This genus is characterized by the productivity of honey, pollen, and wax, as well as the possibilities it offers for the management of its colonies, being the object of activities for extractive purposes and pollination of agroforestry crops. However, due to the great morphological similarity among some species in the genus, the existence of undescribed species, and the difficulty in reliably identifying Brazilian species, knowledge of the genus and its species is riddled with uncertainties. This project proposes a taxonomic revision of the Scaptotrigona species found in Brazil to (1) stabilize the use of existing species names based on new redescriptions, illustrations, and diagnostics; (2) describe new species and document intraspecific variations, including differences among reproductive castes; (3) create an identification key for Scaptotrigona species occurring in Brazil; and (4) review and compiling existing information on the genus and its species. The research will be supported by Coleção "Prof. J.M.F. Camargo" (RPSP) - Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras, Universidade de São Paulo (Ribeirão Preto, Brazil), known for its representativeness of the diversity of the Neotropical Meliponini. The project results will help support different research projects using species of the genus, thus favoring an increase in knowledge about important components of the Neotropical stingless bee fauna, and to contribute to the development of strategies related to the conservation and breeding of these bees.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

MATHEUS MOURÃO CARVALHO; ANDERSON LEPECO; GABRIEL A. R. MELO. The origin of the stingless bee species described by Frederick Smith from Brazilian specimens brought to the London International Exhibition of 1862. Revista Brasileira de Entomologia, v. 67, n. 2, 2023-06-30. (19/09215-6, 22/05064-6, 21/12082-8)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

CARVALHO, Matheus Mourão. Taxonomic review of the species of Scaptotrigona Moure, 1942 (Apidae: Meliponini) occurring in Brazil. 2024. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC) Ribeirão Preto.