Molecular genetic diversity in populations of the stingless bee Plebeia remota: A case study

Author(s)

Francisco, Flavio de Oliveira ^[1] ; Santiago, Leandro Rodrigues ^[1] ; Arias, Maria Cristina ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biociencias, Dept Genet & Biol Evolut, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: GENETICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY; v. 36, n. 1, p. 118+, 2013.
• Web of Science Citations: 9

Abstract

Genetic diversity is a major component of the biological diversity of an ecosystem. The survival of a population may be seriously threatened if its genetic diversity values are low. In this work, we measured the genetic diversity of the stingless bee Plebeia remota based on molecular data obtained by analyzing 15 microsatellite loci and sequencing two mitochondrial genes. Population structure and genetic diversity differed depending on the molecular marker analyzed: microsatellites showed low population structure and moderate to high genetic diversity, while mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) showed high population structure and low diversity in three populations. Queen philopatry and male dispersal behavior are discussed as the main reasons for these findings. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 04/15801-0 - Biodiversity and sustainable use of pollinators, with emphasis on Meliponini bees
• Grantee: Vera Lucia Imperatriz-Fonseca
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 08/08546-4 - Genetic structure of island and mainland populations of bees from Atlantic Forest
• Grantee: Flávio de Oliveira Francisco
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate