An Seasonal Analysis of the Dispersion Threshold for Melipona quadrifasciata (Apidae: Meliponini) species in an Anthropized Environment

• Grant number: 24/04200-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2024
• End date: March 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Rogério Hartung Toppa
• Grantee: Luccas de Almeida Santos
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias para a Sustentabilidade (CCTS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). Sorocaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Native stingless bees are important pollinators within Brazilian ecosystems. Despite their generalist diet, their capacity for dispersion and foraging varies according to body size. The species Melipona quadrifasciata is found in both the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado biomes, contributing to the pollination of 70% of native plants. The use of technologies such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) to study bee flight behavior has been increasing since its initial application in the robust Apis mellifera species. However, these technologies have been less utilized in native species, which have historically been studied using in-situ techniques and color marking. Furthermore, there is a scarcity of studies on how climate parameters and landscape can influence bee flight. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce these technologies in studies of M. quadrifasciata dispersion threshold and to deepen our ecological understanding. In other meliponines, their body size enables long-distance dispersion, which is vital in the context of habitat fragmentation. Although there is yet to be a consensus in the literature on this species' dispersion threshold, we estimate that they can cover distances between 2,000 and 2,500 meters. In this context, the present study aims to relate their dispersion threshold to climate and landscape effects, using RFID technologies to track and monitor the bees.