Insights into miRNAs of the Stingless Bee Melipona quadrifasciata

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key post-transcriptional regulators involved in a wide range of biological processes in insects, yet little is known about their roles in stingless bees. Here, we present the first characterization of miRNAs in <i>Melipona quadrifasciata</i> using small RNAs (sRNAs) deep sequencing. A total of 193 high-confidence mature miRNAs were identified, including 106 <i>M. quadrifasciata</i>-exclusive sequences. Expression profiling revealed that mqu-miR-1 and mqu-miR-276 together accounted for over 70% of all miRNA reads, suggesting their central roles in development and reproduction. Comparative analyses showed a higher conservation of <i>M. quadrifasciata</i> miRNAs with other Hymenopterans, especially <i>Apis mellifera</i> and <i>Bombus</i> spp. Putative target genes were predicted using a consensus approach, and functional annotation indicated their involvement in diverse biological regulatory pathways. This work represents the first comprehensive identification of the miRNA repertoire in stingless bees using sRNAs and provides a valuable foundation for understanding miRNA-mediated gene regulation in this ecologically and economically important pollinator.