Molecular Marker to identify two stingless bee species: Tetragonisca angustula and Tetragoniscafiebrigi (Hymenoptera, Meliponinae)

Abstract

Tetragonisca angustula and T.fiebrigi esterases were biochemically characterized by their inhibition pattern and thermostability. Workers of both species were collected from nests at the State University of Maringa. In T.fiebrigi three esterases were observed: EST-1 (β-esterase, cholinesterase I), EST-2 (a-esterase, cholinesterase II) and EST-4 (αβ-esterase, carboxylesterase). In T.angustula two esterases were detected: EST-3 (β-esterase, acetylesterase) e EST-4 (αβ-esterase, carboxylesterase). T.angustula EST-3 showed the highest thermostability, and it was not observed above 54°C, while in T.fiebrigi EST- 1 and EST-2 were not detected above 52°C. Through this characterization, it was observed that EST-4 of T.angustula and T.fiebrigi showed identical biochemical characteristics, and probably those esterases are encoded by the same gene in the two species. Together, the biochemical characterization and molecular markers show that the two species are differentiated and secondary contact between the populations can still be occurring.