Testis length distinguishes haploid from diploid drones in Melipona quadrifasciata (Hymenoptera: Meliponinae)

Abstract
Testes length in diploid and haploid larvae drones of Melipona quadrifasciata were investigated to ascertain whether it is a good character to distinguish haploid from diploid drones. Two groups of haploid and two groups of diploid drones were compared. The results show that diploid males have shorter testes than haploid males. Another interesting observation was that whereas diploid males from different groups had testes of similar sizes, haploid males produced by different queens had testes which differed significantly in size. It is suggested that measurements of the testes length could be used to determine ploidy and contribute to the understanding of the population biology of this and other related Hymenoptera species.