Divergências morfométricas entre populações isoladas de Melipona subnitida Ducke (hymenoptera: Apidae) no semiárido.

Abstract

This work was aimed to carry out a morphometric study of this species of bee created in artificial conditions in semi-arid, with the purpose of verifying divergence in its morphology, in order to identify possible variations of this species. Bees were collected from beekeepers without distinct sting of two locations one being the country of São João do Rio do Peixe, Paraíba-PB under the coordinates: lat. 06 ° 43 '44 "S and long. 38 ° 26' 56" W. And the other in the country of Mossoró in the coordinates lati. 5 ° 03'40'' S, long. 37 ° 23'51 "W. 262 km distant from each other. The research was conducted in the period from December 2013 to January of the year 2014. From which 10 artificial nests were randomly selected for level of collections of insects in each location. 60 worker bees were collected, 3 bees for each nest. The morphometric parameters evaluated in the study were: Length Transverse, Longitudinal length, collecting Legs, Wings Earlier, Wings Beyond and Weight by Insect. In relation the characteristics evaluated significant differences among all when it comes to individuals of both locations were found. Confirming the existence of morphometric variability between locations. in discriminant analysis obtained for classification of individuals between locations, the country of São João do Rio do Peixe, obtained a correct classification rate of 100.0%, while for Mossoró rate was 96.67%, while the overall average was 98.33% .By cross-validation, this locality had, respectively, correct identification of individuals with their rates of 100% and 93.33%. The overall average of the cross-validation was 96.97%. Size variations found in this study noted by morphometry demonstrated that these techniques are important tools in the evaluation and development of strategies for the conservation and sustainability.