Reproductive capacity and castes in eusocial stingless bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Author(s)

Luna-Lucena, Danielle ^[1] ; Rabico, Franciene ^[1] ; Simoes, Zila L. P. ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med Ribeirao Preto, Dept Genet, Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Filosofia Ciencias & Letras Ribeirao Preto, Dept Biol, Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

• Document type: Review article
• Source: CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE; v. 31, p. 20-28, FEB 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Eusocial lifestyle is one of the most important transitions in the evolutionary history of some groups of organisms. In bees, there are only two eusocial groups: the honey bees (Apini) and the stingless bees (Meliponini). Despite similarities on the eusocial lifestyles of these taxa, they present profound differences related to caste determination, development, behavior, and reproductive capacity of their members. In most of them the queen has a monopoly on reproduction. However, even though workers are tipically sterile, they can contribute to producing haploid eggs that generate males, or trophic eggs, used as an additional nutrition by the queen. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/06657-0 - Analysis of the endocrine system and circadian cycle as modulators of Apis mellifera development
• Grantee: Zilá Luz Paulino Simões
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants