Abstract
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.
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Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank NORTE ENERGIA and BIOTA for logistical support during field work in Pará, Brazil, and also to Marcos Vinicius Bastos Garcia, Maurício Adu Schwade, and Gil Viana de Oliveira during field work done in Amazonas, Brazil. The authors would also like to thank the “Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)”, “Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)”, “Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG)” for the financial support.
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All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by MSC. LAOC checked species identification. The first draft of the manuscript was written by MSC and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Cunha, M.S., Campos, L.A.O. & Lopes, D.M. Insights into the heterochromatin evolution in the genus Melipona (Apidae: Meliponini). Insect. Soc. 67, 391–398 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00040-020-00773-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00040-020-00773-6