Efeito do grau de antropização, clima e dieta na criação de colônias da abelha jandaíra (Melipona subnitida Ducke) em área de caatinga

Abstract

Meliponiculture is an expanding activity that has developed rapidly over the years. However, many knowledge gaps still exist regarding the factors that affect the development and productivity of these bees. Thus, we sought to evaluate the influence of climate, diet and different anthropization degrees of areas on the development and productivity of Melipona subnitida reared in the Caatinga. Eighty-five colonies of Melipona subnitida were studied for two years in five areas with different anthropization degrees. From them, colony development data (brood and stored resources) and pollen samples were collected monthly for quantitative and qualitative evaluation, as well as palynological analysis. In addition, data on the climatic parameters were collected on the area (maximum, average and minimum temperature; precipitation; and humidity), from the meliponaries (temperature and humidity) and from the interior of the colonies (temperature) were also collected. The population size of the colonies, evaluated by the amount of brood, varied between areas and throughout the year, with an average of 4 ±1.6 brood disks/colony and population peak happened in March. The temperature inside the colony was about 1.9±0.03 º C lower than the temperature of the meliponary. The amount of stored resources also varied between areas and throughout the year, with correlations being found between colony development and climate parameters, with an average of 6±5.8 and 22±17.6 pots of pollen and honey/colony, respectively. One of the preserved areas and the area with the highest anthropization degree stand out in the accumulation of these resources. The quality of the pollen evaluated did not vary between areas. However, there was variation throughout the year mainly in the levels of crude protein, which ranged from 19.34 to 58.62%, with an average of 36.2 ± 7.58% and peak in April (average of 46.20 ± 2 .61 %). Chemical parameters were also correlated with climatic factors. Pollens of thirty-seven species were identified in the diet of Melipona subnitida, highlighting the group of Fabaceae, with 24 species. There was a difference between the two years regarding the richness of species used (36 species in 2017 and only 23 in 2018) and variation in the degree of importance of pollen types when comparing frequency and volume data. Pollen from tree stratum species were in greater number among the plants that served as a source of trophic resources. The main species in the diet of Melipona subnitida were, respectively: Mimosa tenuiflora, Senna siamea, Mimosa caesalpiniifolia, Chamaecrista duckeana and Anadenanthera colubrina, for frequency in the samples; and Senna siamea, Senna uniflora, Mimosa tenuiflora, Chamaecrista duckeana and Solanum paniculatum, in volume. Colonies in the areas differed between species and diet throughout the year. Thus, it was found that efficient strategies for choosing, harvesting and storing trophic resources explain the great resilience of M. subnitida, which manages to survive and even present productive and populous colonies in the difficult conditions of the caatinga, persisting even in areas with a higher degree of anthropization. These strategies are affected by climatic and flora parameters that significantly interfere in the performance and productivity of colonies, and potential changes in these patterns must be taken into account in efforts to rear and conserve M. subnitida.