Abstract Trypoxylon is a genus of solitary crabronid wasps whose population genetics is poorly known. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the genetic variation and differentiation among five populations of Trypoxylon albitarse, a species widely distributed throughout the Neotropics, with records from Panama to northern Argentina. Eight species-specific microsatellite loci were used for genotyping 96 adult wasps (one female per nest) sampled at five sites in Brazil. The analysis of allelic richness and private alleles indicated high genetic diversity in the populations sampled. Pairwise comparisons using the Fst and Dest indices revealed significant differentiation for all, but one pair of populations. Fst, Dest, AMOVA and assignment test values pointed to inter-population differentiation. Additionally, the analysis of population structure using Bayesian and PCA methods characterized two alternative genetic groups. The Mantel test indicated no correlation between genetic and geographic distances. Despite evidence of considerable dispersal capacity for T. albitarse, the data indicate low to moderate population structuring in this species.

Melipona quadrifasciata quadrifasciata and M. quadrifasciata anthidioides are subspecies of M. quadrifasciata, a stingless bee species common in coastal Brazil. These subspecies are discriminated by the yellow stripe pattern of the abdominal tergites. We found Vsp I restriction patterns in the cytochrome b region closely associated to each subspecies in 155 M. quadrifasciata colonies of different geographical origin. This mitochondrial DNA molecular marker facilitates diagnosis of M. quadrifasciata subspecies matrilines and can be used to establish their natural distribution and identify hybrid colonies.

As abelhas euglossíneas interagem com mais de 60 famílias de plantas da Região Neotropical. Sua riqueza e abundância têm sido intensamente estudadas em diferentes ecossistemas utilizando-se a metodologia de captura de machos em iscas-armadilhas. As fêmeas, entretanto, são pouco conhecidas para a maioria das espécies, e caracteres morfológicos que permitam sua identificação taxonômica não têm sido descritos. O propósito deste trabalho foi utilizar alozimas e padrões de restrição das regiões mitocondriais 16S e Cit b para identificar espécies do gênero Euglossa Latreille. As abelhas foram coletadas enquanto visitavam flores de Thevetia peruviana (Apocynaceae) em cinco cidades do estado de São Paulo. Foram identificadas três espécies de Euglossa entre os 305 indivíduos coletados. Euglossa cordata (L.) foi a única espécie presente em todas as cidades, enquanto E. securigera Dressler e E. townsendi Cockerell foram encontradas em duas e uma cidade, respectivamente. EST-3 mostrou-se ser marcador diagnóstico, enquanto ICD, MDH, ME e PGM foram locos informativos para a identificação de espécies quando considerados conjuntamente. A restrição com VspI da região 16S amplificada, além de diferenciar as três espécies, apresentou polimorfismo intraespecífico para E. cordata e E. securigera. A região Cit b apresentou padrões característicos para E. townsendi, mas não permitiu diferenciar as outras duas espécies. Os resultados descrevem marcadores genéticos potencialmente úteis para a identificação de Euglossa spp. ao nível de espécie e grupo de espécies.

Euglossine bees interact with more than 60 plant families of the Neotropical region. The richness and abundance of these bees have been intensively studied in different ecosystems using the methodology of capturing males with chemical baits. Females are poorly known for most of the species and morphological characters for their taxonomic classification have not yet been described. The purpose of this study was to use allozymes and restriction patterns of the mitochondrial regions 16S and Cyt b to identify species of Euglossa Latreille. Bees were collected while visiting Thevetia peruviana (Apocynaceae) flowers in five cities of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Three Euglossa species were identified among the 305 individuals collected. Euglossa cordata (L.) was the only species found in all cities, while E. securigera Dressler and E. townsendi Cockerell were restricted to two and one cities respectively. EST-3 was a diagnostic marker, whereas ICD, MDH, ME and PGM were informative for species identification when used in combination. Restriction by VspI of the amplified 16S fragment differentiated the three species and showed intraspecific polymorphism for E. cordata and E. securigera. The Cyt b region showed distinctive patterns for E. townsendi but it was not possible to differentiate the other two species. Our results describe potentially useful genetic markers for the identification of Euglossa spp. at the species and group level.

Heterozygosity and hammuli number asymmetry in adult workers of Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera, Apidae). Relationship between individual heterozygosity at particular loci (Mdh-1, Hk-1 ou Pgm-1) or average heterozygosity of the colony and asymmetry of the hammuli number of right and left wings was verified on adult workers of five Africanized and five European colonies of Apis mellifera. Our results demonstrated the importance of statistical tests to verify the type of asymmetry of the character studied and they did not validate the assumption that uni or multiloci heterozygosity has a positive effect on developmental stability.