Size and shape in Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides Lepeletier, 1836 (Hymenoptera; Meliponini)

Brazilian Journal of Biology

La Nunes¹  Gb Passos¹  Cal Carvalho¹  Ed Araújo¹ 

关键词: stingless bee;    Meliponini;    altitude;    partial correlation;    geometric morphometrics;    abelhas sem ferrão;    altitude;    correlação parcial;    Meliponini;    morfometria geométrica;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S1519-69842013000400027

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

This study aimed to identify differences in wing shape among populations of Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides obtained in 23 locations in the semi-arid region of Bahia state (Brazil). Analysis of the Procrustes distances among mean wing shapes indicated that population structure did not determine shape variation. Instead, populations were structured geographically according to wing size. The Partial Mantel Test between morphometric (shape and size) distance matrices and altitude, taking geographic distances into account, was used for a more detailed understanding of size and shape determinants. A partial Mantel test between morphometris (shape and size) variation and altitude, taking geographic distances into account, revealed that size (but not shape) is largely influenced by altitude (r = 0.54 p < 0.01). These results indicate greater evolutionary constraints for the shape variation, which must be directly associated with aerodynamic issues in this structure. The size, however, indicates that the bees tend to have larger wings in populations located at higher altitudes.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
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