Genetic diversity and population structure of two Euglossini bee species in a host-parasite relationship.

In the current study, two euglossine species, Exaerete smaragdina and Eulaema nigrita, a cleptoparasite bee and its host, respectively, were used as models to: (i) access the genetic diversity and population structure of both species, sampled along a wide latitudinal range of Atlantic Forest, where the distribution of El. nigrita and Ex. smaragdina co-occurs; (ii) investigate the evolutionary history of these species through the Atlantic Forest, and in a wider scenario, to examine the evolutionary history of these species across others forest domains.

Data standardization of plant-pollinator interactions.

Background: Animal pollination is an important ecosystem function and service, ensuring both the integrity of natural systems and human well-being. Although many knowledge shortfalls remain, some high-quality data sets on biological interactions are now available. The development and adoption of standards for biodiversity data and metadata has promoted great advances in biological data sharing and aggregation, supporting large-scale studies and science-based public policies.

Nesting habits of Centris (Hemisiella) dichrootricha (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in the Northern Cerrado of Brazil.

The Neotropical bee Centris (Hemisiella) dichrootricha is a solitary bee that nests in pre-existing cavities that occur in the rain forest. This study describes the nesting biology of C. dichrootricha and its preference for nesting in Cerrado and gallery forest habitats.

[Euglossina bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in an area with sandbanks in the northeast of the state of Maranhão, Brazil].

The bees of subtribe Euglossina are an important component of neotropical fauna and have greater species diversity in tropical forests than in spits. They play an important role in the pollination of several plant species and are considered good indicators of environmental conditions. From February 2005 to January 2006, a total of 429 specimens belonging to three genera [Euglossa (Latreille), Eulaema (Lepeletier) and Eufriesea (Cockerell)] and 14 species were collected.

[Nesting biology of Centris flavifrons (Friese) (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Centridini), one of the main pollinators of Byrsonima crassifolia L. Kunth in Maranhão, Brazil].

The Centridini has almost 176 species distributed mainly in the tropic regions of America. Although they are considered key pollinators in the maintenance of many vegetal species, data about their bionomics are restrict. Nesting activity is known for 11 species, out of the 21 that are considered pollinators of murici, Byrsonima crassifolia L.