Inter- and intra-population B chromosome variability in Partamona helleri (Apidae: Meliponini)

The stingless bee Partamona helleri (Meliponini) is distributed across the Atlantic rainforest biome in Brazil. Cytogenetic studies on P. have shown a conserved diploid number and presence of several B chromosome types. Our goal was to investigate intraspecific karyotypic variation among 21 colonies from 14 different localities four Brazilian states, using classical molecular cytogenetics, as well image cytometry (ICM). All populations had 2n = 34 up 5B chromosomes, which showed inter- intra-population size. C-banding evidenced centromeric/pericentromeric heterochromatin partially heterochromatic chromosomes. GA(15) microsatellite hybridized euchromatic arm A chromosomes did not mark whereas TTAGG(6) corresponded telomeric sequence 18S rDNA CMA3+ sites varied colonies, indicating karyotype variability species. ICM demonstrated an increase nuclear genome size regarding We highlighted importance population species with wide range distributions, how contribute intra- inter-population helleri.