title: The use of polliniferous resources by Melipona capixaba, an endangered stingless bee species.
abstract: Abstract Pollen types present in samples from corbiculae of Melipona capixaba (Moure and Camargo) (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponina) worker bees were analyzed, as well as pollen samples from food pots inside the hives in three sites located at the bees' original habitat. The aim was to find out the sources used as a trophic resource by this species. The dominant pollen grains in the spectrum of the samples belonged to the families Myrtaceae and Melastomataceae. Eucalyptus was the most frequent pollen type in the corbiculae in Conceição do Castelo municipality; Eucalyptus, Myrcia, and Melastomatacea/Combretaceae in the Fazenda do Estado district; and Eucalyptus and Myrcia in the São Paulo de Aracê district, both in the Domingos Martins municipality. Eucalyptus and Melastomataceae/Combretaceae were the predominant pollen types in the food pots. Eucalyptus was the most prevalent type all year round or most of the year. The most common pollen types in the months that Eucalyptus was not present or dominant in the samples were of remaining native forest species, "ruderal" (field) plants, fruit-bearing plants, and introduced ornamental plants.
authors: Departamento de Biologia Animal, Programa de Pós-graduação em Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Av PH Rolfs, Viçosa, Minas Gerais 36570-000, Brazil. bruna.serra@yahoo.com.br
authors: Bruna Danielle Vieira
authors: BD
authors: Serra
authors: Cynthia Fernandes Pinto
authors: CF
authors: da Luz
authors: Lucio Antonio de Oliveira
authors: LA
authors: Campos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001516:Bees / Q000502:physiology*; D001938:Brazil; D056727:Endangered Species; D005518:Food Preferences; D054817:Pollination