Pollen profile of Geopropolis samples collected of “Tiúba” (Melipona (Melikerria) fasciculata Smith 1854) in areas of Cerrado and flooded fields in the state of Maranhão, Brazil

Abstract

The pollen spectrum of 120 samples of Melipona (Melikerria) fasciculata Smith 1854 geopropolis from two phytogeographical regions of Maranhao, Brazil was analyzed. This study aimed to characterize the palynologically geopropolis produced by this species of bee. Samples were collected monthly in Palmeirândia (seasonally flooded fields vegetation) and Barreirinhas (“Cerrado” vegetation). A total of 121 pollen types were identified and distributed into 52 families and 84 genera. The predominant pollen types (>45 %) were Adenocalymma inundatum (Bignoniaceae), Bauhiniareflexa (Caesalpiniaceae), Caryocar (Caryocaraceae), Chamaecrista (Fabaceae), Lafoensia (Lythraceae), Mauritia (Arecaceae), Machaerium (Fabaceae), Mimosapudica (Mimosaceae), and Ouratea (Ochnaceae). The pollen types Adenocalymma inundatum, Adenocalymma sp., Anadenanthera, Astrocaryum, Casearia, Caesalpinia, Caryophyllaceae, Cecropia, Crotalaria, Croton, Cydista aequinoctialis, Desmodium incanum, Drymaria, Euphorbia, Eupatorium, Eugenia, Ficus, Gustavia, Lecythidaceae, Malphigia, Maytenus, Mimosa verrucosa, Moraceae, Neptunia, Opuntia, Protium, Piptadenia, Pontederia, Polygonum, Schinnus and Wulffia were exclusive to samples from the seasonally flooded fields vegetation (Palmeirândia), whereas Acacia, Amaranthus, Arecaceae, Banara guianensis, Bauhinia guianensis, Bignoniaceae, Borreria latifolia, Byrsonima, Bromeliaceae, Cupania, Dalbergia, Fridericia, Galactia, Irlbachia, Malpighiaceae, Maytenus ilicifolia, Miconia/Tibouchina, Myrtaceae, Ouratea, Parkia, Pavonia, Picramnia, Phyllanthus, Securidaca, Stryphnodendron, Scrophulariaceae, Rourea, Tiliaceae, Trema, Xyris, and Wedelia were exclusive to the “Cerrado” vegetation (Barreirinhas). Some of these species are resin producers. The palynological analysis of M.fasciculata geopropolis from the state of Maranhao was valuable for the phytogeographical characterization of the samples, and it provided knowledge on the botanical origin of the resin.