The aim of this study was to identify, by sediment pollen analysis, the plant species used as floral resources for the provisioning of brood cells in Centris (Hemisiella) tarsata, in an area of Caatinga, within the municipality of Nova Soure, Bahia State, Brazil. The analysis of pollen contents from three brood cells revealed 11 pollen types, corresponding to four botanical families. Malpighiaceae was represented most, followed by Leguminosae, Ochnaceae, and Solanaceae, the latter two represented by just a single pollen type each. On the basis of the percentages in the samples, it was possible to infer that C. tarsata visited distinct plants, but intensified its pollen collection in species related to Aeschynomene martii and Solanum paniculatumpollen types, which are considered the most important pollen sources in the larval diet of this bee. In addition to the pollen sources, we have also recorded seven pollen types regarded as oil ones, all related to the Malpighiaceae family. The information about the resources for C. tarsata can be of great relevance, in view of the importance of these bees in the pollination of native flora.

Esse trabalho consiste no levantamento das espécies de Panicoideae (Poaceae) em remanescentes de Mata Atlântica no sul do estado da Bahia. As coletas foram realizadas entre os anos de 2007 e 2010, concentrando-se nos bordos e no interior dos três maiores remanescentes florestais da Reserva Ecológica da Michelin (Mata da Vila 5, Pancada Grande e Pacangê). Foram confirmadas 24 espécies em 11 gêneros, sendo Ichnanthus P. Beauv. e Paspalum L. os mais representativos, com cinco e oito espécies, respectivamente. Uma chave de identificação para gêneros e espécies é apresentada, assim como descrições, ilustrações e dados ecológicos, contribuindo para o conhecimento das espécies florestais de Poaceae do Brasil.

We present a floristic survey of Panicoideae (Poaceae) in remnants of Atlantic Forest in Southern Bahia State, Brazil, in the Michelin Ecological Reserve. Collections were made from 2007 to 2010, focusing on the borders and interior of the three major forest fragments (Vila 5, Pancada Grande and Pacangê). Twenty four species in 11 genera were found, being Ichnanthus P. Beauv. and Paspalum L. the most representative, with five and eight species, respectively. An identification key to genera and species is presented, as well as descriptions, illustrations and ecological data, increasing the knowledge on Poaceae from Brazilian forests.

O presente trabalho teve por objetivo identificar a origem botânica das bolotas de pólen coletadas pelas abelhas Apis mellifera L. no município de Canavieiras, Bahia, gerando uma lista de plantas poliníferas pertencentes ao bioma Mata Atlântica e importantes para o desenvolvimento da apicultura regional. Foram analisadas palinologicamente 35 amostras de pólen apícola, utilizando-se o processo de acetólise para, em seguida, serem feitas análises qualitativas e quantitativas. Os resultados revelaram que os tipos polínicos Elaeis (23,99%), Mimosa pudica (22,78%) e Cecropia (13,68%) foram os mais abundantes no pólen apícola analisado. Estes tipos polínicos também apresentaram as maiores frequências relativas de todo o material estudado e representam importantes plantas fontes de pólen para as abelhas na área estudada.

This paper aims to identify the botanical origin of pollen loads collected by Apis mellifera L. in Canavieiras municipality, Bahia state. It provides a list of polliniferous plant species from the Atlantic Forest biome that are important for the development of regional apiculture. Using the acetolysis method, 35 bee-pollen samples were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Results showed that pollen types Elaeis (23.99%), Mimosa pudica (22.78%) and Cecropia (13.68%) were the most abundant among the samples. These also showed the highest relative frequencies of the material studied and were important pollen sources for bees in the study area.