Geometric morphometrics discriminates Eastern and Western populations of Partamona rustica (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini) separated by the Sao Francisco River

Author(s)

Oliveira e Silva, Vinicius ; Francoy, Tiago Mauricio ; Miranda, Elder Assis ; Oi, Cintia Akemi ; Ferreira, Katia Maria ; Del Lama, Marco Antonio

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF APICULTURAL RESEARCH; v. N/A, p. 8-pg., 2022-07-20.

Abstract

Wing morphology has been used in taxonomic and systematic studies of insects, often enabling the identification of groups based on the variation. In this study, wing Geometric Morphometrics was used to verify if eastern and western populations of Partamona rustica, separated by the Sao Francisco River, are discriminated, thus confirming previous molecular data. The two groups of P. rustica exhibited significant differences in wing size and shape. Better differentiation of populations and groups was achieved with the centroid size. We generated dendrograms using Mahalanobis and Procrustes distances, which discriminated the eastern and western populations. Isolation by the distance between morphometric and geographic distances was found. The confirmation of the two population groups points out the need for further studies investigating the occurrence of barriers to gene flow and colonization history in the semiarid region by this stingless bee. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/21501-2 - Bee population genetics and the extinction vortex of the Hymenoptera
• Grantee: Marco Antonio Del Lama
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 12/23342-1 - Colonization and dispersal in the areas of occurrence and population genetics of Partamona rustica (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini)
• Grantee: Elder Assis Miranda
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 19/14363-4 - Does geometric morphometrics support the distinction between the two groups of populations characterized in Partamona rustica (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini)?
• Grantee: Vinícius de Oliveira Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation