Cleptobiosis in stingless bees (Meliponini: Apidae: Hymenoptera): Omics approaches

• Grant number: 23/12913-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Animal Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Maria Cristina Arias
• Grantee: Paulo Cseri Ricardo
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 24/02359-0 - Revisiting complex behaviors in bees: genetic-molecular and evolutionary approaches, AP.R

Abstract

The bees of the Meliponini tribe, popularly known as stingless bees, hold great ecological and cultural significance in tropical regions. This is a taxonomically diverse group that exhibits a wide range of behaviors, including the use of different substrates and nest structures, as well as distinct strategies for defense and resource collection. Interestingly, some species, such as Lestrimelitta limao, do not visit flowers to collect pollen and nectar but obtain their food by raiding colonies of other meliponine species. This behavior is known as cleptobiosis. A recent study by our group analyzed transcriptomic data from four meliponine species, including the cleptobiotic species L. limao, and identified sets of genes potentially associated with cleptobiosis. The present project aims to investigate and delve deeper into some of the questions raised in the previous study. For this purpose, genomic and transcriptomic data from L. limao and three other meliponine species will be utilized. Genomic data will be employed to investigate the evolution of CYP genes (cytochrome P450 family), which may be involved in the detoxification of phytochemicals and the evolution of pollenivory in bees. Transcriptomic data will be employed to compare gene expression in different body parts of workers engaged in distinct tasks, aiming to identify genes and molecular pathways associated with behavioral patterns in each activity, including those specific to L. limao workers during raids.