Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

A Comparative Study of the Dorsal Vessels of Bees1

1958; Oxford University Press; Volume: 51; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1093/aesa/51.6.538

1938-2901

Alvaro Wille,

Insect and Pesticide Research

Two main types of dorsal vessels were found in the 101 species dissected, representing 61 genera and including most of the major groups of bees. In one type the dorsal vessel is straight and ruris dorsal to the gut; in the other type it makes an arch between the dorsal longitudinal muscles of the thorax, sometimes with a series of loops just behind the ascending portion. Intermediate types occur. Within any family or tribe in which both main types occur, that with the straight thoracic portion is always found in the primitive forms; and vessels with a series of loops are found only in the most specialized bees. An evolutionary trend is evident toward reduction of the posterior section of the dorsal vessel and its ostia. In the Meliponini, or stingless bees, a trend is found toward enlargement of the last two chambers, culminating in the Euglossini where the enlarged chambers probably serve as a powerful pumping mechanism. Some characteristics of the dorsal vessel are of possible taxonomic importance. The number and location of the metasomal ostia are significant for separation of some families, while other characteristics are typical of groups of genera and of tribes or subfamilies.