Flora associated with stingless bees (Apidae: Meliponini) in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Abstract

Stingless bees (SB) (Meliponini) are a pan-tropical group of economic, religious, medicinal, and cultural importance. Currently, their habitats and populations are declining due to anthropogenic activities, changes in land use, fires, and the extensive use of agrochemicals. This study compiles the diversity of meliponine flora (MF) in the Yucatan Peninsula (YP), Mexico, as a basis for having a list that helps us to know which flora is a food source for SB and thus contribute to the regional meliponiculture. Bibliographic searches of scientific publications without language restrictions were carried out to identify flora associated with SB. In addition, field observations were made in different locations of the YP to identify MF. A total of 203 MF species were recorded (142 native, 38 cultivated, 2 naturalized, and 21 undefined), distributed in 51 plant families, with Fabaceae representing the highest number of species (20%). In the case of the SB, a total of nine species were found, Melipona beecheii being the one with the highest number of associated MF (145 plant species), followed by Trigona fulviventris (59 species). In the YP, most SB species can be considered generalist feeders, consuming nectar and pollen and extra floral nectaries, epidermal resins, and oils, mainly from the Fabaceae species. The MF plants have medicinal properties and play an important role in the SBs food decision possibly it is an indicative parameter of the great medicinal potential of their honey.