Melipona marginata is an endangered species of stingless bee from Brazil that produces honey with... more Melipona marginata is an endangered species of stingless bee from Brazil that produces honey with particular physicochemical features and a remarkable exotic flavor. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report devoted to exploring the medicinal potential of this honey. Thus, the aim of this paper was to investigate the potential anti-inflammatory activity of honey extract from M. marginata on skin inflammation. The honey sample was classified as a monofloral honey of Mimosa scabrella. The presence of 11 phenolic compounds as kaempferol and caffeic acid was detected using the high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-UV-ESI-MS) method. The anti-inflammatory activity was measured using a 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced ear edema model of inflammation in mice. The topical application of the M. marginata honey extract (1.0 mg/ear) was able to reduce ear edema with an inhibitory effect of 54 ± 5%. This extract decreased the myeloperoxidase activity in 75 ± 3%, which suggests a lower leucocyte infiltration that was confirmed by histological analysis. This extract also provided a reduction of 55 ± 14% in the production of reactive oxygen species. This anti-inflammatory activity could be due to a synergic effect of the phenolic compounds identified in the honey sample. Taken together, these results open up new possibilities for the use of M. marginata honey extract in skin disorders.
A Journal on Insect Diversity and Evolution w w w. r b e n t o m o l o g i a. c o m Medical and V... more A Journal on Insect Diversity and Evolution w w w. r b e n t o m o l o g i a. c o m Medical and Veterinary Entomology Spores of Paenibacillus larvae, Ascosphaera apis, Nosema ceranae and Nosema apis in bee products supervised by the Brazilian Federal Inspection Service a b s t r a c t Due to their ecological and economic importance, honey bees have attracted much scientific attention, which has intensified due to the recent population decline of these insects in the several parts of the world. Among the factors related to these patterns, infection by pathogens are the most relevant, mainly because of the easy dissemination of these microorganisms. Although no zoonotic diseases are associated with these insects, the presence of infectious agents in bee products should still be considered because they play a role as disease dispersers, increasing the risk to animal health. Because of the possibility of dispersion of pathogens via bee products, this work aimed to identify the presence of spores of the pathogens Paenibacillus larvae, Ascosphaera apis and Nosema spp. in samples of honey, pollen and royal jelly that are registered with Brazil's Federal Inspection Service (S.I.F.) and commercially available in the state of São Paulo. Of the 41 samples of bee products analyzed, only one showed no contamination by any of these pathogens. N. ceranae and P. larvae had the highest prevalence considering all the samples analyzed (present in 87.80% and 85.37% of the total, respectively), with N. apis present in 26.83% and A. apis present in 73.17% of the samples. These results provide support for the formulation of government regulations for sanitary control of exotic diseases by preventing dispersion of pathogens, including through illegal importation, since local and international trade and the transfer of colonies between regions play important roles in the dispersion of these microorganisms.
(Using palynological evidence from royal jelly to mediate the spread of Paenibacillus larvae in B... more (Using palynological evidence from royal jelly to mediate the spread of Paenibacillus larvae in Brazil). Royal jelly may contain pollen grains and their presence can be used to determine the phytogeographical origin of the product. This study analyzed the phytogeographical origin of commercial royal jelly samples from São Paulo State, tested as part of the Brazilian Federal Inspection System (SIF), found to be contaminated with spores of the bacterium Paenibacillus larvae, that causes the American Foulbrood Disease. The pollen grains of Castanea had the highest total percentage, with lower percentages of Cirsium/Carduus, Cistus, Parthenocissus, Prunus, Quercus, Robinia, Scrophulariaceae, Taraxacum, Tilia, among others. This pollen spectrum is incompatible with royal jelly samples produced in Brazil. The pollen spectrum resembled that of an imported product, compatible with the Northern Hemisphere origin. Brazilian legislation does not require the phytogeographic origin of imported bee products to be analyzed by palynological procedures, but it is mandatory to have a certifi cate issued by the country of origin attesting the absence of pathogens, monitored with the objective of preventing the exotic diseases from entering Brazil. Palynology, therefore, proved to be fundamental in detecting imports of this contaminated batches.
Brazil's Atlantic Forest biome is currently undergoing forest loss due to repeated episodes of de... more Brazil's Atlantic Forest biome is currently undergoing forest loss due to repeated episodes of devastation. In this biome, bees perform the most frequent pollination system. Over the last decade, network analysis has been extensively applied to the study of plant-pollinator interactions, as it provides a consistent view of the structure of plant-pollinator interactions. The aim of this study was to use palynological studies to obtain an understanding of the relationship between floral visitor bees and the pioneer plant S. didymum in a fragment of the Atlantic Forest, and also learn about the other plants that interact to form this network. Five hundred bees were collected from 32 species distributed into five families: Andrenidae, Apidae, Colletidae, Megachilidae, and Halictidae. The interaction network consisted of 21 bee species and 35 pollen types. The Solanum-type bee species with the highest number of interactions were Anthrenoides sp. 1, Augochlora sp. 2, and Augochloropsis notophos, representing 71.78% of their interactions. Augochloropsis notophos and Augochlora sp. 2 were the only common species in the flowers of S. didymum. Given the results of our study, we conclude that Solanum is an important source of pollen grains for several native bee species, mainly for the solitary species that are more diverse in the south of Brazil. Moreover, our results indicate that bees from the families Halictidae (A. notophos, Augochlora) and Andrenidae (Anthrenoides) are the pollinators of S. didymum.
We analyzed the pollen morphology of ten species belonging to nine genera of the Asteraceae famil... more We analyzed the pollen morphology of ten species belonging to nine genera of the Asteraceae family, with one species belonging to the Anthemideae tribe (Matricaria chamomilla L.), three belonging to the Eupatorieae [Chromolaena laevigata (Lam.) R. M. King & H. Rob., Mikania micrantha Kunth and Vittetia orbiculata (DC.) R.M.King & H.Rob.], two to the Inuleae (Achillea millefolium L. and Gnaphalium purpureum L.), two to the Mutiseae [Chaptalia integerrima (Vell.) Burkart and Chaptalia graminifolia (Dusén ex Malme) Cabrera], and two species belonging to the Senecioneae tribe [Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC. and Senecio brasiliensis (Spreng.) Less.]. We used acetolysis to carry out the palynological analysis and pollen grains were studied under light and scanning electron microscopy. The tribes were considered eurypalynous, whose morphological detail allowed the subdivision of species in four groups related to pollen types Anthemis, Eupatorium, Centaurea and Senecio, previously defi ned in the literature.
Pollen morphology of arboreal eudicotyledons of Serra da Capoeira Grande, Pedra Branca Geological... more Pollen morphology of arboreal eudicotyledons of Serra da Capoeira Grande, Pedra Branca Geological Massif, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The pollen grain morphology of 37 tree species belonging to 20 families of eudicotyledons occurring in the Pedra Branca Mountain range, at the Environmental Protection Area (EPA) of Capoeira Grande ridge, Rio de Janeiro, is presented. This study was based on morphological observations and pollen grain illustrations using light microscopy. Pollen grain characteristics are strongly variable and may be used for identifi cation of the respective species of origin.
We analyzed the pollen morphology of ten species belonging to nine genera of the Asteraceae famil... more We analyzed the pollen morphology of ten species belonging to nine genera of the Asteraceae family, with one species belonging to the Anthemideae tribe (Matricaria chamomilla L.), three belonging to the Eupatorieae [Chromolaena laevigata (Lam.) R. M. King & H. Rob., Mikania micrantha Kunth and Vittetia orbiculata (DC.) R.M.King & H.Rob.], two to the Inuleae (Achillea millefolium L. and Gnaphalium purpureum L.), two to the Mutiseae [Chaptalia integerrima (Vell.) Burkart and Chaptalia graminifolia (Dusén ex Malme) Cabrera], and two species belonging to the Senecioneae tribe [Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC. and Senecio brasiliensis (Spreng.) Less.]. We used acetolysis to carry out the palynological analysis and pollen grains were studied under light and scanning electron microscopy. The tribes were considered eurypalynous, whose morphological detail allowed the subdivision of species in four groups related to pollen types Anthemis, Eupatorium, Centaurea and Senecio, previously defi ned in the literature.
To describe the trophic resources used by Scaptotrigona postica, honey and bee bread samples were... more To describe the trophic resources used by Scaptotrigona postica, honey and bee bread samples were taken monthly from May 2015 to December 2016 at two different localities. Fontes do Ipiranga State Park (PEFI), an urban remnant of the Atlantic Forest, and the Mogi Guaçu Biological Reserve (RBMG), in the Cerrado. Two colonies were kept in each site. Samples were analysed with the melissopalynological method in order to calculate the relative frequencies. Principal component analysis was used to compare the similarity between the samples and to examine the influence of quantitative and qualitative data on the ordination of the pollen types. Similarity tests were performed to compare the pollen spectra of the bee bread and honey samples between the study sites and seasons. Hence, 69 and 61 pollen types were identified in 33 honey and 29 bee bread samples. The main families in honey were Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae and Fabaceae; in bee bread Fabaceae, Myrtaceae and Sapindaceae were the main families for both localities, followed by Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae and Solanaceae at the RBMG. The results showed that the species maintains its floral preferences regardless of the biome in which it occurs. Also, demonstrates that the bees make use of nectariferous and polliniferous sources available in the preserved areas as well as in its surroundings. There is a risk of pesticides
Previous palynological works on the genus Tephrosia involved only a small number of species thoug... more Previous palynological works on the genus Tephrosia involved only a small number of species though showed some discrepancies regarding morphological descriptions. Our study used a palynotaxonomic approach to analyse 13 species of Tephrosia (T. adunca, T. candida, T. cinerea, T. egregia, T. marginata, T. nitens, T. noctiflora, T. purpurea subsp. purpurea, T. domingensis, T. rufescens, T. sessiliflora, T. sinapou, T. vogelii), either native or cultivated in Brazil. Pollen was studied using light microscopy as well as scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy. Pollen grains are isopolar, small to large size, oblate to prolate, 3-colporate, mostly operculate with an ornamented colporus membrane. Sexine show a nanoreticulate to reticulate, microreticulate-perforate, rugulate-perforate, rugulate, psilate or psilate-perforate ornamentation; the sexine is thicker than the nexine. Exine consists of a compact tectum that varies from eutectate, tectate perforate to semitectate; the infratectum is collumelar or granular; the foot layer is discontinuous and endexine continuous. An unprecedented characterisation of the operculum, colporus membrane and granular structure of the infractectum in Tephrosia is described for the first time. The pollen morphology in Tephrosia is eurypalynous based mainly on the exine sculpturing that is the most variable morphological feature and also on the details of the aperture, which is important for infrageneric delimitation, and warrants attention in future phylogenetic analysis combining molecular and morphological data.
Here we describe the pollen morphology of 19 species of Alcantarea, none of them fully described ... more Here we describe the pollen morphology of 19 species of Alcantarea, none of them fully described before, to contribute to the infra-generic delimitation of the genus. Pollen grains are heteropolar, amb ellipsoidal (although spheroidal pollen occurs in Alcantarea aurantiaca, A. burle-marxii, A. glaziouana, A. nahoumii, A. roberto-kauskyi and A. trepida), monosulcate, sulcus with margin, reticulate ornamentation of the exine on the central area of pollen grain (except in A. imperialis, which display foveolate ornamentation) and apex of equatorial axe with different ornamentation from the central area of pollen grain (microreticulate calota or psilate-perforate calota). The genus is considered stenopalynous due to the similarity in the pollen morphology. The new pollen characters obtained here are useful in understanding the infra-generic palynotaxonomy of the genus confirming the relationship between species that have been grouped together based on vegetative evidence and/or relationships suggested by analyses based on DNA sequences or microsatellite evidence, e.g. between A. aurantiaca, A. burle-marxii and A. nahoumii; between A. burle-marxii, A. glaziouana and A. trepida; between A. hatschbachii and A. duarteana, between A. roberto-kautsky and A. trepida. Our results improve the morphological characterisation of the genus and may contribute to phylogenetic analyses as well as the biosystematics approach to solve species complexes.
Samburá is the botanical pollen nectar agglutinated by salivary secretions of bees. Stingless bee... more Samburá is the botanical pollen nectar agglutinated by salivary secretions of bees. Stingless bee pollen samples were collected in three periods of the year in Monsenhor Gil town, PI, Brazil, for extraction of volatile constituents by different techniques, analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and the palynological analysis used to identify the dominant pollen. Among the volatile compounds identified, kaur-16-ene, methyl and ethyl hexadecanoate, methyl linoleate and heneicosane were identified more frequently in the studied parameters: period of sample collection and extraction techniques used. The palynological analysis identified the pollen of Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth. as the dominant pollen in all samples studied.
Melipona marginata is an endangered species of stingless bee from Brazil that produces honey with... more Melipona marginata is an endangered species of stingless bee from Brazil that produces honey with particular physicochemical features and a remarkable exotic flavor. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report devoted to exploring the medicinal potential of this honey. Thus, the aim of this paper was to investigate the potential anti-inflammatory activity of honey extract from M. marginata on skin inflammation. The honey sample was classified as a monofloral honey of Mimosa scabrella. The presence of 11 phenolic compounds as kaempferol and caffeic acid was detected using the high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-UV-ESI-MS) method. The anti-inflammatory activity was measured using a 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced ear edema model of inflammation in mice. The topical application of the M. marginata honey extract (1.0 mg/ear) was able to reduce ear edema with an inhibitory effect of 54 ± 5%. This extract decreased the myeloperoxidase activity in 75 ± 3%, which suggests a lower leucocyte infiltration that was confirmed by histological analysis. This extract also provided a reduction of 55 ± 14% in the production of reactive oxygen species. This anti-inflammatory activity could be due to a synergic effect of the phenolic compounds identified in the honey sample. Taken together, these results open up new possibilities for the use of M. marginata honey extract in skin disorders.
A Journal on Insect Diversity and Evolution w w w. r b e n t o m o l o g i a. c o m Medical and V... more A Journal on Insect Diversity and Evolution w w w. r b e n t o m o l o g i a. c o m Medical and Veterinary Entomology Spores of Paenibacillus larvae, Ascosphaera apis, Nosema ceranae and Nosema apis in bee products supervised by the Brazilian Federal Inspection Service a b s t r a c t Due to their ecological and economic importance, honey bees have attracted much scientific attention, which has intensified due to the recent population decline of these insects in the several parts of the world. Among the factors related to these patterns, infection by pathogens are the most relevant, mainly because of the easy dissemination of these microorganisms. Although no zoonotic diseases are associated with these insects, the presence of infectious agents in bee products should still be considered because they play a role as disease dispersers, increasing the risk to animal health. Because of the possibility of dispersion of pathogens via bee products, this work aimed to identify the presence of spores of the pathogens Paenibacillus larvae, Ascosphaera apis and Nosema spp. in samples of honey, pollen and royal jelly that are registered with Brazil's Federal Inspection Service (S.I.F.) and commercially available in the state of São Paulo. Of the 41 samples of bee products analyzed, only one showed no contamination by any of these pathogens. N. ceranae and P. larvae had the highest prevalence considering all the samples analyzed (present in 87.80% and 85.37% of the total, respectively), with N. apis present in 26.83% and A. apis present in 73.17% of the samples. These results provide support for the formulation of government regulations for sanitary control of exotic diseases by preventing dispersion of pathogens, including through illegal importation, since local and international trade and the transfer of colonies between regions play important roles in the dispersion of these microorganisms.
(Using palynological evidence from royal jelly to mediate the spread of Paenibacillus larvae in B... more (Using palynological evidence from royal jelly to mediate the spread of Paenibacillus larvae in Brazil). Royal jelly may contain pollen grains and their presence can be used to determine the phytogeographical origin of the product. This study analyzed the phytogeographical origin of commercial royal jelly samples from São Paulo State, tested as part of the Brazilian Federal Inspection System (SIF), found to be contaminated with spores of the bacterium Paenibacillus larvae, that causes the American Foulbrood Disease. The pollen grains of Castanea had the highest total percentage, with lower percentages of Cirsium/Carduus, Cistus, Parthenocissus, Prunus, Quercus, Robinia, Scrophulariaceae, Taraxacum, Tilia, among others. This pollen spectrum is incompatible with royal jelly samples produced in Brazil. The pollen spectrum resembled that of an imported product, compatible with the Northern Hemisphere origin. Brazilian legislation does not require the phytogeographic origin of imported bee products to be analyzed by palynological procedures, but it is mandatory to have a certifi cate issued by the country of origin attesting the absence of pathogens, monitored with the objective of preventing the exotic diseases from entering Brazil. Palynology, therefore, proved to be fundamental in detecting imports of this contaminated batches.
Brazil's Atlantic Forest biome is currently undergoing forest loss due to repeated episodes of de... more Brazil's Atlantic Forest biome is currently undergoing forest loss due to repeated episodes of devastation. In this biome, bees perform the most frequent pollination system. Over the last decade, network analysis has been extensively applied to the study of plant-pollinator interactions, as it provides a consistent view of the structure of plant-pollinator interactions. The aim of this study was to use palynological studies to obtain an understanding of the relationship between floral visitor bees and the pioneer plant S. didymum in a fragment of the Atlantic Forest, and also learn about the other plants that interact to form this network. Five hundred bees were collected from 32 species distributed into five families: Andrenidae, Apidae, Colletidae, Megachilidae, and Halictidae. The interaction network consisted of 21 bee species and 35 pollen types. The Solanum-type bee species with the highest number of interactions were Anthrenoides sp. 1, Augochlora sp. 2, and Augochloropsis notophos, representing 71.78% of their interactions. Augochloropsis notophos and Augochlora sp. 2 were the only common species in the flowers of S. didymum. Given the results of our study, we conclude that Solanum is an important source of pollen grains for several native bee species, mainly for the solitary species that are more diverse in the south of Brazil. Moreover, our results indicate that bees from the families Halictidae (A. notophos, Augochlora) and Andrenidae (Anthrenoides) are the pollinators of S. didymum.
We analyzed the pollen morphology of ten species belonging to nine genera of the Asteraceae famil... more We analyzed the pollen morphology of ten species belonging to nine genera of the Asteraceae family, with one species belonging to the Anthemideae tribe (Matricaria chamomilla L.), three belonging to the Eupatorieae [Chromolaena laevigata (Lam.) R. M. King & H. Rob., Mikania micrantha Kunth and Vittetia orbiculata (DC.) R.M.King & H.Rob.], two to the Inuleae (Achillea millefolium L. and Gnaphalium purpureum L.), two to the Mutiseae [Chaptalia integerrima (Vell.) Burkart and Chaptalia graminifolia (Dusén ex Malme) Cabrera], and two species belonging to the Senecioneae tribe [Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC. and Senecio brasiliensis (Spreng.) Less.]. We used acetolysis to carry out the palynological analysis and pollen grains were studied under light and scanning electron microscopy. The tribes were considered eurypalynous, whose morphological detail allowed the subdivision of species in four groups related to pollen types Anthemis, Eupatorium, Centaurea and Senecio, previously defi ned in the literature.
Pollen morphology of arboreal eudicotyledons of Serra da Capoeira Grande, Pedra Branca Geological... more Pollen morphology of arboreal eudicotyledons of Serra da Capoeira Grande, Pedra Branca Geological Massif, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The pollen grain morphology of 37 tree species belonging to 20 families of eudicotyledons occurring in the Pedra Branca Mountain range, at the Environmental Protection Area (EPA) of Capoeira Grande ridge, Rio de Janeiro, is presented. This study was based on morphological observations and pollen grain illustrations using light microscopy. Pollen grain characteristics are strongly variable and may be used for identifi cation of the respective species of origin.
We analyzed the pollen morphology of ten species belonging to nine genera of the Asteraceae famil... more We analyzed the pollen morphology of ten species belonging to nine genera of the Asteraceae family, with one species belonging to the Anthemideae tribe (Matricaria chamomilla L.), three belonging to the Eupatorieae [Chromolaena laevigata (Lam.) R. M. King & H. Rob., Mikania micrantha Kunth and Vittetia orbiculata (DC.) R.M.King & H.Rob.], two to the Inuleae (Achillea millefolium L. and Gnaphalium purpureum L.), two to the Mutiseae [Chaptalia integerrima (Vell.) Burkart and Chaptalia graminifolia (Dusén ex Malme) Cabrera], and two species belonging to the Senecioneae tribe [Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC. and Senecio brasiliensis (Spreng.) Less.]. We used acetolysis to carry out the palynological analysis and pollen grains were studied under light and scanning electron microscopy. The tribes were considered eurypalynous, whose morphological detail allowed the subdivision of species in four groups related to pollen types Anthemis, Eupatorium, Centaurea and Senecio, previously defi ned in the literature.
To describe the trophic resources used by Scaptotrigona postica, honey and bee bread samples were... more To describe the trophic resources used by Scaptotrigona postica, honey and bee bread samples were taken monthly from May 2015 to December 2016 at two different localities. Fontes do Ipiranga State Park (PEFI), an urban remnant of the Atlantic Forest, and the Mogi Guaçu Biological Reserve (RBMG), in the Cerrado. Two colonies were kept in each site. Samples were analysed with the melissopalynological method in order to calculate the relative frequencies. Principal component analysis was used to compare the similarity between the samples and to examine the influence of quantitative and qualitative data on the ordination of the pollen types. Similarity tests were performed to compare the pollen spectra of the bee bread and honey samples between the study sites and seasons. Hence, 69 and 61 pollen types were identified in 33 honey and 29 bee bread samples. The main families in honey were Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae and Fabaceae; in bee bread Fabaceae, Myrtaceae and Sapindaceae were the main families for both localities, followed by Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae and Solanaceae at the RBMG. The results showed that the species maintains its floral preferences regardless of the biome in which it occurs. Also, demonstrates that the bees make use of nectariferous and polliniferous sources available in the preserved areas as well as in its surroundings. There is a risk of pesticides
Previous palynological works on the genus Tephrosia involved only a small number of species thoug... more Previous palynological works on the genus Tephrosia involved only a small number of species though showed some discrepancies regarding morphological descriptions. Our study used a palynotaxonomic approach to analyse 13 species of Tephrosia (T. adunca, T. candida, T. cinerea, T. egregia, T. marginata, T. nitens, T. noctiflora, T. purpurea subsp. purpurea, T. domingensis, T. rufescens, T. sessiliflora, T. sinapou, T. vogelii), either native or cultivated in Brazil. Pollen was studied using light microscopy as well as scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy. Pollen grains are isopolar, small to large size, oblate to prolate, 3-colporate, mostly operculate with an ornamented colporus membrane. Sexine show a nanoreticulate to reticulate, microreticulate-perforate, rugulate-perforate, rugulate, psilate or psilate-perforate ornamentation; the sexine is thicker than the nexine. Exine consists of a compact tectum that varies from eutectate, tectate perforate to semitectate; the infratectum is collumelar or granular; the foot layer is discontinuous and endexine continuous. An unprecedented characterisation of the operculum, colporus membrane and granular structure of the infractectum in Tephrosia is described for the first time. The pollen morphology in Tephrosia is eurypalynous based mainly on the exine sculpturing that is the most variable morphological feature and also on the details of the aperture, which is important for infrageneric delimitation, and warrants attention in future phylogenetic analysis combining molecular and morphological data.
Here we describe the pollen morphology of 19 species of Alcantarea, none of them fully described ... more Here we describe the pollen morphology of 19 species of Alcantarea, none of them fully described before, to contribute to the infra-generic delimitation of the genus. Pollen grains are heteropolar, amb ellipsoidal (although spheroidal pollen occurs in Alcantarea aurantiaca, A. burle-marxii, A. glaziouana, A. nahoumii, A. roberto-kauskyi and A. trepida), monosulcate, sulcus with margin, reticulate ornamentation of the exine on the central area of pollen grain (except in A. imperialis, which display foveolate ornamentation) and apex of equatorial axe with different ornamentation from the central area of pollen grain (microreticulate calota or psilate-perforate calota). The genus is considered stenopalynous due to the similarity in the pollen morphology. The new pollen characters obtained here are useful in understanding the infra-generic palynotaxonomy of the genus confirming the relationship between species that have been grouped together based on vegetative evidence and/or relationships suggested by analyses based on DNA sequences or microsatellite evidence, e.g. between A. aurantiaca, A. burle-marxii and A. nahoumii; between A. burle-marxii, A. glaziouana and A. trepida; between A. hatschbachii and A. duarteana, between A. roberto-kautsky and A. trepida. Our results improve the morphological characterisation of the genus and may contribute to phylogenetic analyses as well as the biosystematics approach to solve species complexes.
Samburá is the botanical pollen nectar agglutinated by salivary secretions of bees. Stingless bee... more Samburá is the botanical pollen nectar agglutinated by salivary secretions of bees. Stingless bee pollen samples were collected in three periods of the year in Monsenhor Gil town, PI, Brazil, for extraction of volatile constituents by different techniques, analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and the palynological analysis used to identify the dominant pollen. Among the volatile compounds identified, kaur-16-ene, methyl and ethyl hexadecanoate, methyl linoleate and heneicosane were identified more frequently in the studied parameters: period of sample collection and extraction techniques used. The palynological analysis identified the pollen of Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth. as the dominant pollen in all samples studied.
Resumo: Tipos polínicos coletados por Epicharis (Epicharoides) picta (Smith, 1874) (Apidae: Centr... more Resumo: Tipos polínicos coletados por Epicharis (Epicharoides) picta (Smith, 1874) (Apidae: Centridini) em um fragmento de Mata Atlântica. O objeti-vo do presente estudo foi identicar os tipos polínicos coletados por E. picta para o aprovisionamento de suas células de cria. Foram retiradas amostras de pólen do alimento larval, das cargas das escopas de fêmeas que retornavam do campo e das fezes larvais contidas nas células de cria. Dos 21 tipos polínicos encontrados nas amostras, Banisteriopsis/Stigmaphyllon (Malpighiaceae) foi o que apresentou maior frequência, com 98,3%. Portanto, sugerimos que E. picta seja oligolética de Malpighiaceae. Palavras-chave: Malpighiaceae, oligolectia, palinologia, polinização, abelhas coletoras de óleos. Abstract: Pollen types collected by Epicharis (Epicharoides) picta (Smith, 1874) (Apidae: Centridini) in an Atlantic forest fragment. e aim of this study was to identify pollen types collected by E. picta for their brood cells provisioning. Pollen samples were taken from the larval food, scopal loads of females and faeces contained in the larval brood cells. Among the 21 pollen types found in samples of E. picta, Banisteriopsis/Stigmaphyllon (Malpighiaceae) showed highest frequency (98.3%). Therefore, we suggest that E. picta is oligolectic to Malpighiaceae. Introdução A maioria das espécies de abelhas (Hymenoptera: Apidae) é extrema-mente dependente dos recursos orais para sua sobrevivência (Michener 2007). Os principais produtos orais explorados são o néctar e o pólen; esses recursos
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Papers by Cynthia F P Luz
Anthemideae tribe (Matricaria chamomilla L.), three belonging to the Eupatorieae [Chromolaena laevigata (Lam.) R. M. King & H. Rob., Mikania
micrantha Kunth and Vittetia orbiculata (DC.) R.M.King & H.Rob.], two to the Inuleae (Achillea millefolium L. and Gnaphalium purpureum L.),
two to the Mutiseae [Chaptalia integerrima (Vell.) Burkart and Chaptalia graminifolia (Dusén ex Malme) Cabrera], and two species belonging
to the Senecioneae tribe [Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC. and Senecio brasiliensis (Spreng.) Less.]. We used acetolysis to carry out the palynological
analysis and pollen grains were studied under light and scanning electron microscopy. The tribes were considered eurypalynous, whose morphological
detail allowed the subdivision of species in four groups related to pollen types Anthemis, Eupatorium, Centaurea and Senecio, previously defi ned
in the literature.
May 2015 to December 2016 at two different localities. Fontes do Ipiranga State Park (PEFI), an urban remnant of the
Atlantic Forest, and the Mogi Guaçu Biological Reserve (RBMG), in the Cerrado. Two colonies were kept in each site.
Samples were analysed with the melissopalynological method in order to calculate the relative frequencies. Principal
component analysis was used to compare the similarity between the samples and to examine the influence of quantitative
and qualitative data on the ordination of the pollen types. Similarity tests were performed to compare the pollen spectra of
the bee bread and honey samples between the study sites and seasons. Hence, 69 and 61 pollen types were identified in 33
honey and 29 bee bread samples. The main families in honey were Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae and Fabaceae; in bee bread
Fabaceae, Myrtaceae and Sapindaceae were the main families for both localities, followed by Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae
and Solanaceae at the RBMG. The results showed that the species maintains its floral preferences regardless of the biome
in which it occurs. Also, demonstrates that the bees make use of nectariferous and polliniferous sources available in the
preserved areas as well as in its surroundings. There is a risk of pesticides
microscopy as well as scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy. Pollen grains are isopolar, small to large size, oblate to prolate, 3-colporate, mostly operculate with an ornamented colporus membrane. Sexine show a nanoreticulate to reticulate, microreticulate-perforate, rugulate-perforate, rugulate, psilate or psilate-perforate ornamentation; the sexine is thicker than the nexine. Exine consists of a compact tectum that varies from eutectate, tectate perforate to semitectate; the infratectum is collumelar or granular; the foot layer is discontinuous and endexine continuous. An unprecedented characterisation of the operculum, colporus membrane and granular structure of the infractectum in Tephrosia is described for the first time. The pollen morphology in Tephrosia is eurypalynous based mainly on the exine sculpturing that is the most variable morphological feature and also on the details of the aperture, which is important for infrageneric delimitation, and warrants attention in future phylogenetic analysis combining molecular and morphological data.
calota or psilate-perforate calota). The genus is considered stenopalynous due to the similarity in the pollen morphology. The
new pollen characters obtained here are useful in understanding the infra-generic palynotaxonomy of the genus confirming the
relationship between species that have been grouped together based on vegetative evidence and/or relationships suggested by
analyses based on DNA sequences or microsatellite evidence, e.g. between A. aurantiaca, A. burle-marxii and A. nahoumii; between A. burle-marxii, A. glaziouana and A. trepida; between A. hatschbachii and A. duarteana, between A. roberto-kautsky and A. trepida. Our results improve the morphological characterisation of the genus and may contribute to phylogenetic analyses as well as the biosystematics approach to solve species complexes.
Anthemideae tribe (Matricaria chamomilla L.), three belonging to the Eupatorieae [Chromolaena laevigata (Lam.) R. M. King & H. Rob., Mikania
micrantha Kunth and Vittetia orbiculata (DC.) R.M.King & H.Rob.], two to the Inuleae (Achillea millefolium L. and Gnaphalium purpureum L.),
two to the Mutiseae [Chaptalia integerrima (Vell.) Burkart and Chaptalia graminifolia (Dusén ex Malme) Cabrera], and two species belonging
to the Senecioneae tribe [Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC. and Senecio brasiliensis (Spreng.) Less.]. We used acetolysis to carry out the palynological
analysis and pollen grains were studied under light and scanning electron microscopy. The tribes were considered eurypalynous, whose morphological
detail allowed the subdivision of species in four groups related to pollen types Anthemis, Eupatorium, Centaurea and Senecio, previously defi ned
in the literature.
May 2015 to December 2016 at two different localities. Fontes do Ipiranga State Park (PEFI), an urban remnant of the
Atlantic Forest, and the Mogi Guaçu Biological Reserve (RBMG), in the Cerrado. Two colonies were kept in each site.
Samples were analysed with the melissopalynological method in order to calculate the relative frequencies. Principal
component analysis was used to compare the similarity between the samples and to examine the influence of quantitative
and qualitative data on the ordination of the pollen types. Similarity tests were performed to compare the pollen spectra of
the bee bread and honey samples between the study sites and seasons. Hence, 69 and 61 pollen types were identified in 33
honey and 29 bee bread samples. The main families in honey were Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae and Fabaceae; in bee bread
Fabaceae, Myrtaceae and Sapindaceae were the main families for both localities, followed by Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae
and Solanaceae at the RBMG. The results showed that the species maintains its floral preferences regardless of the biome
in which it occurs. Also, demonstrates that the bees make use of nectariferous and polliniferous sources available in the
preserved areas as well as in its surroundings. There is a risk of pesticides
microscopy as well as scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy. Pollen grains are isopolar, small to large size, oblate to prolate, 3-colporate, mostly operculate with an ornamented colporus membrane. Sexine show a nanoreticulate to reticulate, microreticulate-perforate, rugulate-perforate, rugulate, psilate or psilate-perforate ornamentation; the sexine is thicker than the nexine. Exine consists of a compact tectum that varies from eutectate, tectate perforate to semitectate; the infratectum is collumelar or granular; the foot layer is discontinuous and endexine continuous. An unprecedented characterisation of the operculum, colporus membrane and granular structure of the infractectum in Tephrosia is described for the first time. The pollen morphology in Tephrosia is eurypalynous based mainly on the exine sculpturing that is the most variable morphological feature and also on the details of the aperture, which is important for infrageneric delimitation, and warrants attention in future phylogenetic analysis combining molecular and morphological data.
calota or psilate-perforate calota). The genus is considered stenopalynous due to the similarity in the pollen morphology. The
new pollen characters obtained here are useful in understanding the infra-generic palynotaxonomy of the genus confirming the
relationship between species that have been grouped together based on vegetative evidence and/or relationships suggested by
analyses based on DNA sequences or microsatellite evidence, e.g. between A. aurantiaca, A. burle-marxii and A. nahoumii; between A. burle-marxii, A. glaziouana and A. trepida; between A. hatschbachii and A. duarteana, between A. roberto-kautsky and A. trepida. Our results improve the morphological characterisation of the genus and may contribute to phylogenetic analyses as well as the biosystematics approach to solve species complexes.