Genetic analyses reveal female philopatric behavior and nest usage by multiple females of the solitary oil-collecting bee Tetrapedia diversipes (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Abstract

Tetrapedia diversipes is an oil-collecting solitary species widely distributed in the Neotropical region. The high incidence of this species in trap nests makes it potentially a model species for ecological, genetic, evolutionary, and physiological studies. Here, we performed a population genetic study by using mitochondrial and microsatellite markers. This study aimed to investigate the genetic diversity, gene flow among populations, and offspring relatedness within the nest. The results indicated female philopatry and gene flow to be mainly mediated by males. Data on offspring relatedness suggested that nest owner replacement is common in this species.