Pollen resources used by Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides Lepeletier in an urban forest in Rio de Janeiro city, Brazil

ABSTRACT

Pollen loads collected by Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides were examined in order to detect the botanical origin of pollen and to recognise the pollination action of these bees in an urban Atlantic secondary forest. Pollen analysis followed standard methodology and without the use of acetolysis. The results revealed a great contribution of monofloral (more than 90% of a single pollen type or more than 60% if no accessory pollen was present). Quantitatively, Myrtaceae pollen samples followed Melastomataceae ones. Bifloral or heterofloral samples combine several pollen types. Besides Myrcia and Eucalyptus, the most frequent pollen types were Solanum, Mimosa caesalpiniifolia and Alchornea. The current study was related to the apiaries' surrounding vegetation and reflected both the resources available and the preference for native plant species by the bees. Furthermore, these results are relevant to the management of primary and secondary forests in order to preserve the environments.

KEYWORDS:

• Native bee
• pollen loads
• pollination
• Atlantic forest
• Rio de Janeiro

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, and the National Counsel of Technological and Scientific Development (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, CNPq). We give special thanks to the beekeepers from AME-Rio, who provided the samples for this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Alex da Silva de Freitas

ALEX DA SILVA DE FREITAS, biologist, PhD student from Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), Brazil and collaborator in the Laboratório de Palinologia/CCMN, from Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Brazil. Have experience in botany, working a several years with palynology with especiality in melissopalynology and quaternary palynology.

Bart Vanderborght

BART VANDERBORGHT, beekeeper, collaborator from Associação de Meliponicultores do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (AME-Rio). Have a large experience in breeding of stingless bees, assisting in the management training from native bees.

Ortrud Monika Barth

ORTRUD M. BARTH, biologist, PhD in botany from Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Brazil. Actually is senior researcher from Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz) and head of the Laboratório de Palinologia/CCMN, from Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Brazil. Have a large experience in several areas from palynology.