Genetic diversity and population structure of an endemic bee Wallacetrigona incisa in South Sulawesi, Indonesia

ANDI GITA MAULIDYAH INDRASWARI SUHRI (Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Hasanuddin. Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan 10, Tamalanrea Indah, Tamalanrea, Makassar 90245, South Sulawesi, Indonesia)
PHIKA AINNADYA HASAN (Program of Biology Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Sulawesi Barat. Jl. Prof. Dr. Baharuddin Lopa, Majene 91412, West Sulawesi, Indonesia)
IRNAYANTI BAHAR (Program of Biology Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Patompo. Jl. Inspeksi Kanal, Gunung Sari, Rappocini, Makassar 90233, South Sulawesi, Indonesia)
HEARTY SALATNAYA (Program of Agrotechnology, Banau Tertiary Institute of Agricultural Enterprise. Jl. Ir. Soekarno, Kompleks BBI, Jailolo, West Halmahera 97764, North Maluku, Indonesia)
FATHIMAH NURFITHRI HASHIFAH (Department of Applied Biology, Faculty of Biology, Universitas Jenderal Soedirman. Jl. DR. Soeparno, North Purwokerto, Banyumas 53122, Central Java, Indonesia)
MUFTI HATUR RAHMAH (Biotechnology Study Program, Universitas Sulawesi Barat. Jl. Prof. Dr. Baharuddin Lopa, Majene 91412, West Sulawesi, Indonesia)
SUCI WULANDHANI (Program of Biology Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Patompo. Jl. Inspeksi Kanal, Gunung Sari, Rappocini, Makassar 90233, South Sulawesi, Indonesia)
HUSNI MUBAROK (Program of Biology Education, Universitas Islam Negeri Kiai Haji Achmad Siddiq Jember. Jl. Mataram 1, Karang Miuwo, Jember 68136, East Java, Indonesia)
WIWIK WIJI ASTUTI (Program of Biology Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Patompo. Jl. Inspeksi Kanal, Gunung Sari, Rappocini, Makassar 90233, South Sulawesi, Indonesia)

Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity
Vol. 26 No. 2 (2025)

Abstract. Suhri AGMI, Hasan PA, Bahar I, Salatnaya H, Hashifah FN, Rahmah MH, Wulandhani S, Mubarok H, Astuti WW. 2025. Genetic diversity and population structure of an endemic bee Wallacetrigona incisa in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 26: 861-868. Stingless bees are vital pollinators for biodiversity, yet their genetic diversity and population dynamics in isolated regions like Sulawesi, Indonesia, remain poorly understood. A stingless bee species in the highland regions of Sulawesi, Wallacetrigona incisa, was investigated for its genetic variability, population dynamics, and environmental influences. This study aimed to clarify the genetic basis of the different populations in the highlands and lowlands. Inbreeding rates, population structure, and genetic exchange were assessed using molecular markers. The results showed low levels of inbreeding across populations with minor geographic differences, indicating that gene flow is still occurring between populations. Population structure analysis identified two distinct genetic groups, a highland group and a lowland group, suggesting strong genetic divergence, possibly due to geographical isolation. The association with over-winter survival in this study was the broad climate variables floral abundance and temperature. The results indicate that floral richness, particularly in highland regions, predicts genetic diversity better than temperature. These findings suggest that environmental variables, especially floral diversity, are particularly important for shaping W. incisa population genetics. Our study contributes new knowledge to W. incisa conservation and management by revealing that floral richness, particularly in highland regions, strongly influences genetic diversity and population robustness, underscoring the necessity of preserving diverse floral habitats. Additionally, this research contributes to our knowledge of the impacts of geographic and environmental factors on the genetic diversity of stingless bees and provides a valuable basis for future conservation efforts on a large scale in Sulawesi and other similar ecological areas.