Natural and artificial habitat diversity is important for stingless bees in tropical anthropogenic areas

Although the ecological importance of stingless bees (Apidae: Meliponini) is widely recognized, their populations are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic activities. This study investigated the biodiversity of stingless bees in anthropogenic fragments of the Cerrado, a Neotropical savanna in central Brazil. Additionally, we analyzed how the diversity of natural and artificial habitats influences the occurrence of nests of different species. We employed active-search surveys in three Cerrado fragments to locate and mark all observed nests. For each recorded nest, we identified the bee species and characterized the habitat using environmental variables, including canopy cover, nest vertical position, and nesting substrate type (trees, termite mounds, buildings, or soil). The relationship between species occurrence and these environmental factors was analyzed using linear models. We identified 101 nests from 13 species of stingless bees, with Nannotrigona testaceicornis and Tetragonisca fiebrigi being the most abundant. Species exhibited distinct nesting preferences: N. testaceicornis predominantly occupied lower vertical positions; Partamona ailyae nested in the lower parts of trees; Scaptotrigona postica preferred higher locations; Trigona hyalinata selected elevated areas with lower canopy cover; and T. fiebrigi nested predominantly in buildings. These findings enhance our understanding of the ecological factors influencing stingless bee nesting behavior, highlight their adaptability to anthropogenic environments, and underscore the importance of preserving diverse habitats for their conservation, even in human-modified landscapes.