Heterochromatin distribution and chromosomal mapping of microsatellite repeats in the genome of Frieseomelitta stingless bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini)
Keywords:
Cytotaxonomy, fluorescent in situ hybridization, heterochromatin, microsatellites, stingless bees,Abstract
Abstract
The stingless bees of tribe Meliponini are efficient pollinators playing a key role in ecosystem services. Frieseomelitta Friese (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini) includes 16 Neotropical species, of which 6 are found in the state of Bahia, northeastern Brazil. In order to provide a refined cytotaxonomic analysis, we characterized the heterochromatin composition and variation among 6 Frieseomelitta species. All species shared a diploid number (2n) of 30 chromosomes. Frieseomelitta dispar Moure, Frieseomelitta francoi Moure, and Frieseomelitta meadewaldoi Cockerell (Hymenoptera: Apidae), presented GC-rich heterochromatic regions while Frieseomelitta sp.n., Frieseomelitta varia Lepelitier, and Frieseomelitta doederleini Friese (Hymenoptera: Apidae) were characterized by homogenous heterochromatin, without evidence of AT or GC-rich sites. The number and location of microsatellite repeats mapped by fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed interspecific variation. These data were useful to identify each species based on chromosomal markers, and represent important tools for clarifying the interspecific differentiation among Frieseomelitta species and for understanding the genome evolution in bees as a whole.
Resumo
As abelhas sem ferrão pertencentes à tribo Meliponini são polinizadores eficientes e desempenham papel fundamental nos serviços ecossistêmicos. Frieseomelitta Friese (Hymenoptera) possui 16 espécies neotropicais das quais 6 se encontram no estado da Bahia, nordeste do Brasil. Caracterizamos a composição e variação da heterocromatina de 6 espécies de Frieseomelitta com a finalidade de uma análise citotaxonômica mais refinada,. Todas as espécies compartilharam um número diploide (2n) de 30 cromossomos. Frieseomelitta dispar Moure, Frieseomelitta francoi Moure, e Frieseomelitta meadewaldoi Cockerell (Hymenoptera: Apidae), apresentaram regiões heterocromáticas ricas em GC, enquanto Frieseomelitta sp.n., Frieseomelitta varia Lepelitier, e Frieseomelitta doederleini Friese (Hymenoptera: Apidae) foram caracterizadas por heterocromatina mais homogênea, sem evidência de locais ricos em AT ou GC. O número e a localização das repetições de microssatélites mapeadas pela hibridação in situ fluorescente revelaram variação interespecífica. Estes dados foram úteis para identificar as espécies de Frieseomelitta com base em marcadores cromossômicos sendo importantes para a diferenciação interespecífica e para compreender a evolução do genoma em abelhas como um todo.
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