On the cell provisioning and oviposition process (POP) of the stingless bees - Nomenclature reappraisal and evolutionary considerations (Hymenoptera,Apidae, Meliponinae)

Aiming at terminological simplification and reinterpretation, alterations a re presented in the POP nomenclature. Colony rhythmicity is considered as c omposed by interoviposition and oviposition periods. Although this division keeps the same stages as before, a different interpretation is implied to cell preprovisioning which is, henceforth, given in connection to prevalent forms of inter-caste behaviors. This procedure. in its turn, has improved previous concepts relatively to patrolling behavior by the queen. In additi on, an interim approach to the main aspects related to POP sociogenesis is attempted. Behavioral strifes taking place at the vicini-ty of a mass provi sioned brood cell are seen as corner-stones of POP evolution. Indeed, likel y relies of those behaviors are of trivial presence in many species. Invari able occurrence of highly eusocial behavior becomes difficult to identify i n studied taxa, whose POP syndrome is basal. On bionomic and taxonomic grou nds, it seems reasonable to suppose that integrated syndromes (overt queen dominance, high intercaste generalized agitation, many cells synchronically provisioned, etc,), are evolutionarily low-ranked relative to disintegrate d syndromes (ritualized queen dominance, low cell-localized inter-caste agi tation, cells provisioned one by one, etc.). But, integrated taxa are too c omplex. What implies their likely derivation from a former not yet integrat ed stage of which identification among extant species is difficult presentl y. On taxonomic grounds, Melipona has sometimes been considered the sister- group of stingless bees (a proposal not uniformly accepted by specialists). Concerning POP aspects, congruence with this position is tenable, as Melip ona POP is certainly less elaborate than in integrated taxa.