Stingless bees of Mexico: the biology, management and conservation of an ancient heritage / José Javier G. Quezada-Euán

Incluye bibliografía e índice: páginas 285-294

1. Taxonomy and diversity of the stingless bee.. 1.1 General Features of the Meliponini.. 1.2 Biogeography and Phylogeny.. 1.3 Diversity of Mexican Stingless Bees.. References.. 2. Nesting biology.. 2.1. Nest Structure.. 2.2 Homeostasis.. References.. 3. Anatomy and physiology.. 3.1 Prosoma.. 3.2. Mesosoma.. 3.3 Metasoma.. References.. 4. Sex determination and caste production.. 4.1 Ontogenetic Development.. 4.2 The Sex and Caste of Individuals.. 4.3 Relatedness and Reproductive Conflicts.. References.. 5. Colony function and communication.. 5.1 Organization of Activities.. 5.2 Task Partitioning.. 5.3 Foord Provisioning and Oviposition Process.. 5.4 Defense.. 5.5 Communication by Chemical Means.. Communication by Physical Means.. References.. 6. Reproduction.. 6.1 Individual Reproduction.. 6.2 Colony Reproduction and Dynamics.. 6.3 Sexual Dimorphism.. 6.4 Commercial Reproduction of Colonies.. References.. 7. Services provided by stingless bees.. Pollination of Crops.. 7.2 Stingless Bees as Pollinators of Crops in Mexico.. 7.2.1 Avocado (Persea americana.. 7.2.2 Achiote (Baxa orellana.. 7.2.3 Coffee (Coffea arabica and C. cenephora.. 7.2.4 Chillies and Peppers (Capsicum.. 7.2.5 Cururbits.. 7.2.6 Physic Nut, Pinón Mexicano, or Sikil-té (Jatropha curcas.. 7.2.7 Tomato: Jitomate (Solanum lycopersicum.. 7.2.8 Other Crops.. 7.3 Facilitating Pollination Services.. References.. 8. Managing and preserving stingless bees.. 8.1 The Api-Botanical Cycle.. 8.2 Establishing a Stingless Bee Yard.. 8.3 Transferring Colonies to Hive Boxes..8.4 Dividing Colonies.. 8.5 Artificial Feeding.. 8.6 Harvesting Honey, Pollen, and Propolis.. 8.7 Control of Parasites and Prodators.. 8.8 Hazards and Threats to Stingless Bees in Mexico.. References.. 9. The past, present, and future of meliponiculture in Mexico.. 9.1Meliponiculture in Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica.. 9.2 Present Situation and Perspectives.. References.. Annex 1: List of Abbreviations of the Genera of Stingless Bees Used in the Book and Recognized Species for Mexico.. Annex 2: Nectar- and Pollen-Producing Plants in the Yucatan Peninsula.. Annex 3: Record Sheet Template, Nest Dimensions, and Hive Sizes For Stingless Bees in the Yucatan Peninsula.. Index

The stingless bees are the most diverse group of highly social bees and are key species in our planet's tropical and subtropical regions, where they thrive. In Mexico, the management of stingless bees dates back centuries, and they were an essential part of the culture and cosmogony of native peoples like the Maya. In recent decades a vast amount of information has been gathered on stingless bees worldwide. This book summarizes various aspects of the biology and management of stingless bees, with special emphasis on the Mexican species and the traditions behind their cultivation. Much of the information presented here was produced by the author and the team of researchers at the Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán in the course of three decades of working with these insects. Given the breadth of its coverage, the book offers an equally valuable reference guide for academics, students and beekeepers alike. eng