Caracterização da variabilidade genética de Bombus morio do Rio Grande do Sul baseada no mtDNA (COI)

Abstract

Bees, insects belonging to the order Hymenoptera, are considered the most important and specialized group of pollinators. Within this group we can highlight bees of the genus Bombus, popularly known as bumblebee. Bombus is important for maintaining the biodiversity of natural ecosystems throughout the globe, but are also efficient pollinators of a great diversity of native and cultivated plants. Knowledge of the diversity of these bees through molecular tools can be used to understand the processes that shape populations, making it possible to outline strategies for management, rational exploitation and conservation. The objective of this work was to characterize the genetic structure of Bombus morio populations located in Rio Grande do Sul. To perform the molecular characterization of B. morio, specimens were collected in different locations of Rio Grande do Sul. Genomic DNA was extracted from the second pair of legs. Then, partial amplification of the mitochondrial Cytochrome C Oxidase I gene (mtDNA COI), sequencing, editing and alignment of the sequences was performed. The results revealed a significant genetic divergence among bee populations, and harbor nine mitochondrial haplotypes, of which three are new haplotypes, although they vary by a few mutational steps. The populations of B. morio of Rio Grande do Sul, present significant genetic diversity because the species is native to the South / Southeast of Brazil and adapted to ecological conditions.