Pollen Storage by Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides in a Protected Urban Atlantic Forest Area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract

Rio de Janeiro contains one of the largest urban forests in the world – a continuous covering of trees, shrubs, and lowland vegetation typical of the Atlantic Forest, with some exotic plant elements. Reforestation activities and conservationism require knowledge about pollination and seed production among native trees and shrubs adapted to local soil conditions. Besides other insects, birds, and bats, native Meliponini are significant pollinators that prefer certain plant species. The present study used pollen loads of Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides, collected monthly from July 2014 to December 2015, in order to identify their floral resources and potential for pollination. Four localities were chosen to establish meliponaries inside the ombrophilous Atlantic Forest vegetation. Point 1 was established next to the Tijuca National Park visitor center, Point 2 in a lowland area of the Park, Point 3 inside a secondary and regenerating rainforest, and Point 4 inside a secondary and regenerating rainforest at a higher altitude. Pollen loads obtained from several bees each month were cleaned using ethanol, and 500 pollen grains identified. “Monofloral” was defined as >90% one floral species. Point 1 presented monofloral monthly pollen samples of Myrcia, Eucalyptus, Solanum, and Melastomataceae; Point 2 had Myrcia and Eucalyptus monofloral pollen, Point 3, Myrcia, Eucalyptus, Solanum, Anadenanthera colubrina, and Mimosa caesalpiniifolia, and Point 4, Myrcia, Eucalyptus, Anadenanthera colubrina and Melastomataceae. Bifloral batches were composed of two of these taxa. In conclusion, although Atlantic Forest is diverse, the native bee Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides makes use of a few plant species only for its maintenance.