Genome size diversity in stingless bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Meliponini)

Mara Tavares , Carlos Carvalho , Fernanda Soares , Lucio Oliveira Campos

The first studies on the genome size of stingless bee species showed a range from 0.27 pg (Melipona subnitida and Melipona quadrifasciata) to 1.38 pg (Melipona capixaba). Considering this variation, we quantified the DNA content of 26 species of Meliponini, in order to provide input for future comparative studies in this tribe. Haploid genome size (1C) estimates, using flow cytometry analyses (FCM), ranged from 0.26 ± 0.003 pg (Paratrigona subnuda) to 0.98 ± 0.023 pg (Melipona flavolineata), with an average of 0.54 ± 0.17 pg. FCM analyses also demonstrated a small difference in the haploid genome size between males and females of the same species, with the males generally having a smaller genome than females. Our data also evidenciated that variations in the genome size of stingless bees do not correlate with changes in chromosome number and that in some genera the DNA content is more variable than in others.

Mots clés: C-value; DNA content; flow cytometry; meliponines

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

Mara Tavares, Carlos Carvalho, Fernanda Soares, Lucio Oliveira Campos. Genome size diversity in stingless bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Meliponini). Apidologie, 2012, 43 (6), pp.731-736. ⟨10.1007/s13592-012-0145-x⟩. ⟨hal-01003667⟩