Mujeres mayas, abejas mayas

El cultivo de las abejas sin aguijón (meliponas) se ha practicado en la península de Yucatán (México) desde tiempos remotos como lo indican diversas evidencias arqueológicas y documentales. Llama la atención que en la gran mayoría de la vasta literatura histórica que aborda el tema, no se haga mención de la mujer como participante de esa práctica; acaso debido a que, al igual que otros trabajos del campo y de muchos otros ámbitos, ha estado reservado exclusivamente para el hombre. Es hasta tiempos muy recientes, que se dispone de registros de mujeres que incursionan en esta actividad. En el presente trabajo, se mencionan los casos de mujeres meliponicultoras, detectados en un censo efectuado en el estado de Campeche, México a partir del año 2009 y hasta el 2011. Tal participación adquiere especial relevancia, si se tiene en consideración que esta práctica tradicional ha decrecido de manera alarmante en los estados que conforman la península de Yucatán (Campeche, Quintana Roo y Yucatán), debido a diversos factores, entre los cuales sobresale una marcada preferencia de los colmeneros actuales, por la abeja de la especie Appis Melifera, introducida a la Nueva España desde la época colonial y cuyas características la ubican como más productiva.

Characterization of microsatellite loci of Tetragonisca angustula (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini)

An enriched genomic library was constructed from Tetragonisca angustula, a stingless bee species widely distributed in Brazil. The library was screened using two simple-repeat oligonucleotide probes and 21 microsatellite primer pairs were designed flanking a selection of repeat sequences within positive clones. The polymorphism of the microsatellite loci was analyzed by screening a sample of 19 unrelated T. angustula workers. Fifteen out of 21 loci were shown to be polymorphic, with observed heterozygosity estimates ranging from 0.00 to 0.89. The primers were also successfully used to amplify microsatellite loci from other stingless bee species, Tetragonisca fiebrigi, Tetragonisca weyrauchi, Lestrimelitta maracaia and Schwarziana quadripunctata. The results from variability analyses suggest that the microsatellite loci isolated from T. angustula will be useful in further population studies for the species and also for other Meliponini.

Trigona spinipes (Fabr.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) em espécies de maracujazeiro: flutuação populacional, horário de visitação e danos às flores

Avaliou-se a infestação, flutuação populacional e horário de visitação de Trigona spinipes (Fabr.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) em espécies de maracujazeiro. As espécies utilizadas foram Passiflora coccinea, P. setacea, P. alata, P. edulis f. flavicarpa, P. laurifolia e P. nitida, aos três anos de idade. O ensaio foi conduzido em parcelas de 1,5 m de comprimento, avaliando-se os dois lados da espaldeira, considerando-se apenas o 0,5 m superior desta e totalizando, para os dois lados, a área de 1,5 m². Avaliaram-se os seguintes parâmetros: número de irapuás e porcentagem de dano nos botões florais, flores, frutos, ramos, folhas e pedúnculos. Para a determinação do horário de visitação, foi utilizada P. coccinea, sendo as avaliações realizadas às 9:00h, 12:00h e 15:00h. A correlação entre o número médio de T. spinipes presentes nas flores de espécies de maracujazeiro e a porcentagem de danos foi positiva e significativa (r = 0,99). em nenhuma das observações efetuadas, constatou-se a presença de T. spinipes nos botões florais, frutos, ramos, folhas ou pedúnculos das espécies de maracujazeiro, não ocorrendo danos nessas estruturas. Esse resultado sugere que as abelhas são atraídas pelas flores ocasionando danos nessas estruturas, provavelmente, por utilizar o tecido floral ou resinas contidas neste para a construção de ninhos. P. coccinea foi a espécie mais danificada por T. spinipes, apresentando suscetibilidade ao ataque desse inseto. Os horários de maior incidência de T. spinipes foram 9:00h e 12:00h, ocorrendo decréscimo significativo no número de abelhas por flor às 15:00h. Constatou-se maior infestação de T. spinipes nas flores das plantas de maracujá nos meses de outubro a novembro, coincidindo com a primavera, em Jaboticabal, SP.

Gestão agroindustrial: um estudo sobre o modelo SEBRAE-RN de produção de mel de abelha no Rio Grande do Norte

The present study makes an analysis of the Development Program of Beekeeping on Rio Grande do Norte, evaluating the model of management implanted for the SEBRAE/RN in the production of bee honey in Rio Grande do Norte; on the basis of the annual reports emitted by the company in 2003, 2004 and 2005 a discerning survey is done in order to identify to the positive points and the possible imperfections that need to be readjusted, or to be substituted for the success of the program; a bibliographical study of the main authors of the subject with the purpose to gound the study, necessary base for the good performance of this work; the study made with the reports identifies some readjustments that need to be corrected, that will be suggested in the end of this study. However the work developed for the SEBRAE/RN is of good quality and the identified negative points do not compromise the good performance of the program, but it can delay the success desired; Despite the studied reports being inconsistent in some points, it can be identified significant improvements with the result of the work developed for the SEBRAE/RN, among others the creation of financial alternatives for the agriculturists who deal with the beekeeping, the employment, income and development of the enterprising capacity of the producers. However, is verified that it would have to exist more efficient ways that made possible a bigger interaction among the managers of the program and the participant public so that the continuous and necessary improvements were made to any well guided project

Histology and ultrastructure of pericardial cells of Scaptotrigona postica latreille (Hymenoptera, Apidae) in workers and queens of different ages

The paper presents a study of the pericardial cells of Scaptotrigona postica an eusocial Brazilian stingless bee. Light and electron microscopy was used in a comparative study on workers and queens of different ages, exerting different functions in the colony. The pericardial cells are found only in the peticardial sinus, mainly in groups around the dorsal vessel. Each cell is enclosed by the basal membrane and its peripheral region is characterized by folds of the plasma membrane, which form canals and loops. The points where the plasma membrane folds is frequently closed by diaphragms, that along with the basal lamina form a barrier to substances from hemolymph. Along the membrane limiting the canals and loops, an intense endocytic activity through coated vesicles takes place indicating a selective absorption of hemolymph components. In older individuals, workers or queens, the cells exhibit larger quantities of cytoplasm inclusions, heterogeneous vacuoles containing the final products of intracellular digestion, and autophagic vacuoles with concentric membranous structures. The pericardial cells general morphology is in accordance with the role in processing metabolites captured from hemolymph and storage of indigested residues. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Sensory structures of the antennae of Nannotrigona testaceicornis (Apidae : Meliponinae)

The total number and distribution per antennal flagellomere of sensilla placodea (olfactory disks), sensilla coeloconica, sensilla ampullacea and sensilla campaniformia were determined in workers of Nannotrigona testaceicornis Lepeletier a stingless bee species quite common in Brazil. The distribution of the sensilla was uniform, with the largest number occurring in flagellomere 10 and gradually decreasing in the direction of the basal flagellomeres in a way similar to that observed in Scaptotrigona postica Latreille.Nannotrigona testaceicornis had a larger number of sensilla ampullacea and a smaller number of sensilla coeloconica and sensilla campaniformia than Scaptotrigona postica. Although Nan notrigona testaceicornis does not communicate through the formation of pheromone trails, this species presents a larger quantity of sensilla placodea (relative to the length of the flagellum) than Scaptotrigona postica.

Ultrastructure of the midgut epithelium of Meliponinae larvae with different developmental stages and diets

The comparative study of the ultrastructure of the midgut epithelium of stingless bee larvae that eat plant protein (pollen) and animal protein (carrion) throughout the larval phase, shows variations in the digestive cells that are only relative to larval aging and not to the type of larval diet. The cells of older larvae present a cytoplasm with empty spaces that result from emptying of lipid and glycogen stocks, and the presence of autophagic vacuoles. These results are discussed in relation to the hypothesis that variations in the digestive tract of insects may be associated with different diets or phylogeny. We conclude that different diets do not determine cell morphology adaptations in the studied species. As the variations in the ultrastructure of the midgut epithelium are the same in all studied species, including the necrophagous species Trigona hypogea, throughout the larval stage, this sequence of changes seems to be due to different physiological state during larval development.

Class III glands in the abdomen of Meliponini

Class III tegumentar glands were studied in workers, as well as in queens and males when available, of 56 Meliponini species. The presence and development of these glands varies widely among and within species. However, the queen typically has more glands than do workers, and males rarely have any. Gland development in workers was evaluated by counting and determining the size of cells in histological sections. Laying queens were found to have more active gland cells than did virgins. Cell numbers and cell ultrastructure differed among glands similarly located in workers, queens and males. Cell size and ultrastructure also varied from tergite to tergite. In conclusion, since it is likely that most of them produce pheromones, the wide variability in these glands suggests that they are important to social interaction.

Ocorrência, morfologia e ultra-estrutura da glândula de Dufour de Scaptotrigona postica Latreille (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

A glândula de Dufour é uma glândula acessória do aparelho reprodutivo feminino das abelhas. Nas abelhas neotropicais sem ferrão, tem sido pouca estudada sob todos os aspectos: morfológico, ontogenético e bioquímico. Na tentativa de colaborar com o conhecimento dessa glândula em abelhas sem ferrão, foi realizado um estudo da sua ocorrência, morfologia e desenvolvimento em Scaptotrigona postica Latreille. Os resultados mostraram que ela se encontra ausente nas operárias, como ocorre em muitas outras espécies desse grupo. Nas rainhas, as células glandulares parecem mais ativas nas virgens, possuindo uma desenvolvida rede de retículo endoplasmático liso tubular, grânulos de secreção e polirribossomos dispersos no citoplasma, além de apresentarem núcleos maiores do que os das células glandulares das fisogástricas. Nas rainhas fisogástricas há dois tipos de células glandulares, ambas aparentemente inativas sinteticamente. As glândulas das rainhas fisogástricas são claramente capazes de captar substâncias da hemolinfa, provavelmente lipídios, que não penetram nas células, mas passam pelos espaços intercelulares e, através da cutícula, chegam diretamente à luz da glândula. A bem desenvolvida dupla camada de lâmina basal ao redor da glândula pode atuar no processo de captação de substâncias da hemolinfa. A secreção, e conseqüentemente sua função, pode ser diferente nas duas classes de rainhas.

Cytochemistry of fat body trophocytes and ovaries of workers and queens of Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini) during vitellogenesis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Ultrastructural studies of the mandibular gland of Melipona quadrifasciata Lepeletier, 1836 (Apidae, Meliponini): a comparison between workers and queens

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

A morphological view of the relationship between indirect flight muscle maturation and the flying needs of two species of advanced eusocial bees

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Vitellogenin content in fat body and ovary homogenates of workers and queens of Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides during vitellogenesis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Histologia e ultra-estrutura do vaso dorsal de Scaptotrigona postica (Hymenoptera, Apidae) em operárias e rainhas de diferentes idades

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Diferenciação e envelhecimento do músculo do vôo em operárias de Scaptotrigona postica Latreille (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)