科研之友
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摘要
The aim of this study was to describe the nest architecture of Tetragona clavipes colonies, to gather information to be used on scaling a species-adapted beehive, and to contribute to the necessary knowledge for the preparation of management and conservation plans for this species. The measurements were made on 10 colonies in terms of brood chamber, brood cells, royal cells, food pots, pillars between combs, and population. Brood chamber ((x) over bar = 3117.9 +/- 1230.6 cm(3)) of spiral-shaped combs were all in the center of the nest. The equatorial diameter of brood chambers ((x) over bar = 14.33 +/- 3.03 cm) can adapt to a 15.0 cm internal beehive width. The height and width of brood cells ((x) over bar = 6.37 +/- 0.32 mm; (x) over bar = 3.73 +/- 0.35 mm), and food pots ((x) over bar = 3.42 +/- 0.39 cm; (x) over bar = 2.21 +/- 0.23 cm) were statistically different among colonies. The height of food pots was useful to estimate the internal height of a honey super (around 4 cm). The population size found was considerable high ((x) over bar = 50,920 +/- 20,100), which might represent an advantage for the commercial raising of the species. The measurements of the internal nest structures of T. clavipes were similar to the few other reported studies of this species, and presented only few differences from other stingless bee species. The results of this study seemed to contribute to phylogenetic analyses, allow designing a beehive, consider a potential commercial stingless beekeeping, and add information about the biology and conservation of T. clavipes in its natural environment.
- 出版日期2016-6
