O estado da arte e lacunas do conhecimento a respeito da abelha jandaíra (Melipona subnitida Ducke 1910)

Abstract

The stingless bee Melipona subnitida Ducke, commonly known as jandaíra, is endemic to Northeast Brazil and holds great importance as a pollinator in this region, as well as the production of bee products representing a significant source of secondary income for families of the local people. The objective of this review was to assess the current scientific knowledge about this bee, identifying the main areas studied by researchers and the knowledge gaps about the species. To achieve this, studies were systematically selected through a search in six databases: SciELO, Springer, ScienceDirect, Taylor & Francis, Wiley Library, and Base de Dados da Pesquisa Agropecuária (BDPA). The publications were analyzed and followed the recommended guidelines of the PRISMA Statement. They were categorized into themes based on the main focus of each work. Results revealed that two areas concentrate most of the research: studies related to honey (21%) and genetics and diversity (14%). On the other hand, there are lack of studies on the species' potential for crop pollination (3%), nesting (3%), pollen studies (3%), threats (3%), among others with no publications. Identifying these knowledge gaps regarding M. subnitida is of utmost importance for future research and advancing our understanding of the species.