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Hybridization and asymmetric introgression between Tetragonisca angustula and Tetragonisca fiebrigi

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Abstract

The broadly distributed Neotropical stingless bee Tetragonisca angustula was once regarded as having two subspecies, T. angustula angustula and T. angustula fiebrigi. In a recent taxonomic revision, these subspecies were elevated to species status (T. angustula and Tetragonisca fiebrigi) based on morphology and distribution. While molecular studies show two well-delineated subgroups within the Tetragonisca, they are inconclusive as to whether there is gene flow between T. angustula and T. fiebrigi. We characterize 1,003 specimens from southern and southeastern Brazil using mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite analysis and demonstrate that there is ongoing hybridization and introgression between T. angustula and T. fiebrigi and suggest that they may be better regarded as subspecies.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Yuri M. Mizusawa for his valuable help in the laboratory and in sampling the bees. Paulo Henrique P. Gonçalves also helped sampling the bees. We thank Susy Coelho and Julie Lim for technical assistance. This work was supported by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (04/15801-0; 08/08546-4; 10/50597-5) and Australian Research Council. This work was developed in the Research Center on Biodiversity and Computing (BioComp) of the Universidade de São Paulo (USP), supported by the USP Provost's Office for Research.

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Correspondence to Flávio O. Francisco.

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Manuscript editor: Marina Meixner

Hybridation et introgression asymétrique entre Tetragonisca angustula et Tetragonisca flebrigi

Espèce / sous-espèce / ADN mitochondrial / microsatellite/ Meliponini

Hybridisierung und asymmetrische Introgression zwischen Tetragonisca angustula und Tetragonisca fiebrigi

Art / Unterart / mitochondriale DNA / Mikrosatelliten / Meliponini

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Francisco, F.O., Santiago, L.R., Brito, R.M. et al. Hybridization and asymmetric introgression between Tetragonisca angustula and Tetragonisca fiebrigi . Apidologie 45, 1–9 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13592-013-0224-7

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