Stingless bee classification and biology (Hymenoptera, Apidae): a review, with an updated key to genera and subgenera

By

Engel, Michael S.
Rasmussen, Claus, 1972-
Ayala, Ricardo
Oliveira, Favízia Freitas de

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2023

Original Publication

ZooKeys

Volume

1172

Pages

239--312

Subjects

Anthophila , Apoidea , Biodiversity , Biology , Checklist , Identification , Meliponini , Phylogeny

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1172.104944

 

Abstract

Stingless bees (Meliponini) are a ubiquitous and diverse element of the pantropical melittofauna, and have significant cultural and economic importance. This review outlines their diversity, and provides identification keys based on external morphology, brief accounts for each of the recognized genera, and an updated checklist of all living and fossil species. In total there are currently 605 described extant species in 45 extant genera, and a further 18 extinct species in nine genera, seven of which are extinct. A new fossil genus, Adactylurina Engel, gen. nov., is also described for a species in Miocene amber from Ethiopia. In addition to the systematic review, the biology of stingless bees is summarized with an emphasis on aspects related to their nesting biology and architecture.