Inferences of evolutionary and ecological events that influenced the population structure of Plebeia remota, a stingless bee from Brazil

Caractérisation de la structure génétique actuelle des populations de Plebeia remota, abeille sans aiguillon du Brésil, en relation avec les processus de l'évolution et de l'écologie

Flávio de Oliveira Francisco , Maria Cristina Arias

The present study characterised the population genetic structure of Plebeia remota through mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis and evaluated evolutionary and ecological processes that may have contributed to the species current genetic scenario. Seventy feral nests were sampled representing four geographic regions (Cunha, Curitiba, Prudentópolis, and Blumenau). Fifteen composite mtDNA haplotypes were determined and a high genetic structure was detected among all populations. The current population structure may be a result of queen philopatry and vegetation shifts caused by palaeoclimatic changes and uplift of Brazilian coastal ranges. Finally, this study strongly suggests a revision of the taxonomic status of P. remota from the Prudentópolis region.

Mots clés: stingless bees; mtDNA; rflp; Meliponini; population genetics<br>---<br>abeille sans aiguillon; ADN mitochondrial; génétique des populations; évolution

Domaines: Zoologie des invertébrés; Biodiversité; Ecologie, Environnement; Science des productions animales

Flávio de Oliveira Francisco, Maria Cristina Arias. Inferences of evolutionary and ecological events that influenced the population structure of Plebeia remota, a stingless bee from Brazil. Apidologie, 2010, 41 (2), ⟨10.1051/apido/2009079⟩. ⟨hal-00892051⟩