Comparative phylogeography and conservation of Bombus morio e Bombus pauloensis (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Abstract

The comparative Phylogeography assumes that species with the same geographic distribution share the same story. Therefore, co-distributed species now have been together in the past and therefore the same events would have affected then in synchrony. Comparison of these phylogeographic patterns among co-distributed species could show evidence of the history of an entire community. So, between species that occur in sympatry is expected to found topological, temporal and demographic congruences. The Phylogeography has been increasingly linked to conservation because, through it is possible to identify lineages that require conservation, display scenarios priorities in conservation, study the effects of hybridization on the biology and conservation of rare species and identify cryptic species. Through Phylogeography is possible to conserve not only the diversity but the process that generated this diversity, one of the most used criteria to define conservation areas. B. morio and B. pauloensis are closely related species and belong to the same subgenus, Fervidobombus. They occur in sympatry over a large area (Rio Grande do Sul to Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo) and have the same trophic niche and similar behavior. The bumblebees are important pollinators for natural crops and for economic interest plants and the decline of these species can result in serious damage to various sectors of the economy. Several studies in Europe and the United States documented the recent decline of many species of Bombus observed mainly in areas where there have been changes in habitat by human action, such as intensification of agriculture and urbanization. In Brazil and in South America, little is known about the status of thes bees populations and as a consequence, there is not a policy of protection and management for these important pollinators. The objectives of the proposed PhD project were: to test the hypothesis that the same pattern of distribution and behavior of B. morio and B. pauloensis generate the same phylogeographic pattern and the predictions would be find topological, temporal and demographic congruences; test the hypothesis that B. morio and B. pauloensis are declining and the predictions would be find low genetic variability and decrease in current distribution in relation to past distributions and finally, if we find evidence of decline, assess and set targets for conservation. (AU)