Genetic Variability of Stingless Bees Melipona mondury Smith and Melipona quadrifasciata Lepeletier (Hymenoptera: Apidae) from a Meliponary

The species of stingless bees Melipona mondury Smith and Melipona quadrifasciata Lepeletier are native to the Atlantic Forest. These species are sensitive to environmental changes and due to habitat loss they are endangered in several Brazilian states. This study aimed to evaluate the genetic variability of populations of these two species at the meliponary of the Regional University of Blumenau through the use of heterospecific microsatellite primers. We collected one worker from 19 colonies of M. mondury and from 25 colonies of M. quadrifasciata. We found low levels of genetic variability for both species, which may be explained by queen philopatry, intraspecific reproductive parasitism, and/or artificial maintenance of hives. If natural populations of these species are also presenting low genetic variability they might be endangered.