Genetic analysis of wild drone congregations of the stingless bee Scaptotrigona mexicana (Hymenoptera: Apidae) reveals a high number of colonies in a natural protected area in Southern Mexico

Abstract

In this study, drone congregations of the stingless bee Scaptotrigona mexicana Guérin were genetically analyzed at 5 microsatellite loci to estimate the number of colonies of this species in the La Sepultura Biosphere Reserve, in Chiapas, Mexico. A total of 216 drones from 3 congregations were analyzed. We found that the 3 congregations had enough genetic differences to be considered as coming from different populations. The average number (± SD) of colonies per congregation was 19.8 ± 0.63, 17.6 ± 0.70 and 12. A similar result was reported for areas where stingless beekeeping occurs. We discuss the implications of our findings in a conservation framework in which stingless beekeeping might play a significant role.