An updated molecular phylogeny of the stingless bees of the genus Trigona (Hymenoptera, Meliponini) of the northern Peruvian forests

By

Marconi, Marilena
Ushiñahua Ramírez, Daniel
Cerna Mendoza, Agustín
Vecco Giove, Carlos Daniel
Javier Ormeño Luna, Javier
Baikova, Liliia
Di Giulio, Andrea
Mancini, Emiliano

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2023

Original Publication

Journal of Hymenoptera research

Volume

96

Pages

751--760

Subjects

Apoidea , Neotropical biogeography , Peruvian Amazon , taxonomy

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Washington, D.C International Society of Hymenopterists

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.96.105311

 

Abstract

Stingless bees (Hymenoptera, Meliponini) are a large and diverse group including 59 extant groups, representing the main pollinators of Amazon forests. Among those, Trigona is one of the largest endemic genera of Neotropical Meliponini. In this work, we updated the molecular phylogeny of Trigona proposed by Rasmussen and Camargo (2008), including data from 59 new specimens collected in 2020 in the forests of northern Peru, through a multigene phylogenetic approach combining sequences from four gene fragments (16S, ArgK, EF-1a, opsin). Our results confirmed the monophyly of Trigona and of all proposed subgenera, except Aphaneura. In addition, most Trigona species-groups resulted monophyletic but the ‘spinipes’ and ‘pallens’ groups appeared paraphyletic and polyphyletic, respectively. Moreover, the cohesion of the “fulviventris” species group was hindered by the inclusion of T. williana (previously included in the “pallens” group) within this clade. Finally, we provided further evidence for a subdivision into two (geographically) distinct clades within T. guianae in northern Peruvian Amazon, which highlighted the importance of Neotropical biogeographical barriers in Meliponini divergence and evolution. Finally, to avoid misidentifications of Trigona specimens, the need for a robust taxonomic revision based on a cladistic approach of the whole genus is discussed.