The species of the four Melipona subgenera can be subdivided into two cytogenetic groups: species belonging to Group I are characterized by having low heterochromatin content in their karyotypes (< 50%) and species belonging to Group II by having high heterochromatin content (> 50%). To study the patterns of heterochromatin accumulation in this genus, we isolated moderate to highly repetitive sequences in M. (Michmelia) mondury (Mmon probe) and M. (Melikerria) fasciculata (Mfas probe) obtained based on the renaturation kinetics of C0t − 1 DNA and used these fragments as probes to hybridize in thirteen species belonging to the four Melipona subgenera. The Mmon probe marked all chromosomes in all Michmelia species and additionally the secondary constriction of M. (Eomelipona) puncticollis. The Mfas probe showed positive markings only within Melikerria. These results indicate the independence of the heterochromatin growth between Michmelia and Melikerria. Absence of markings in the regular set of chromosomes in M. (Melikerria) quinquefasciata and positive markings in the Bs, with the Mfas probe, suggests an interspecific origin of these chromosomes. We also hypothesize about the possible scenario that led to the heterochromatin growth in the genus Melipona.

中文翻译：

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深入了解 Melipona 属（蜜蜂科：Meliponini）中的异染色质进化

四个 Melipona 亚属的物种可以细分为两个细胞遗传组：属于 I 组的物种的特征在于其核型中的异染色质含量低 (< 50%) 和属于组 II 的物种具有高异染色质含量 (> 50%) ）。为了研究该属中异染色质积累的模式，我们在 M. (Michmelia) mondury (Mmon 探针) 和 M. (Melikerria) fasciculata (Mfas 探针) 中分离了中等至高度重复的序列，这些序列基于 C0t - 1 的复性动力学获得DNA 并使用这些片段作为探针在属于四个 Melipona 亚属的 13 个物种中进行杂交。Mmon 探针标记了所有 Michmelia 物种中的所有染色体，此外还标记了 M. (Eomelipona) puncticcollis 的二级收缩。Mfas 探针仅在 Melikerria 内显示阳性标记。这些结果表明 Michmelia 和 Melikerria 之间异染色质生长的独立性。M. (Melikerria) quinquefasciata 中常规染色体组中没有标记，而 Bs 中没有阳性标记，使用 Mfas 探针，表明这些染色体的种间起源。我们还假设导致 Melipona 属异染色质生长的可能情况。