Standard methods for characterising subspecies and ecotypes ofApis mellifera

Abstract

SummaryThe natural diversity of honey bees in Europe is eroding fast. A multitude of reasons lead to a loss of both genetic diversity and specific adaptations to local conditions. To preserve locally adapted bees through breeding efforts and to maintain regional strains in conservation areas, these valuable populations need to be identified.In this paper, we give an overview of methods that are currently available and used for recognition of honey bee subspecies and ecotypes, or that can be utilised to verify the genetic origin of colonies for breeding purposes. Beyond summarising details of morphometric, allozyme and DNA methods currently in use, we report recommendations with regard to strategies for sampling, and suggest methods for statistical data analysis. In particular, we emphasise the importance of reference data and consistency of methods between laboratories to yield comparable results. Métodos estándar para la caracterización de las subespecies y ecotipos de Apis mellifera ResumenLa diversidad natural de la abeja de la miel se está deteriorando rápidamente en Europa. Existen multitud de razones que conducen tanto a una pérdida de diversidad genética como de adaptaciones específicas a las condiciones locales. Se necesita identificar a estas valiosas poblaciones para preservar a las abejas adaptadas a nivel local, mediante esfuerzos para la mejora y el mantenimiento de variedades regionales en las áreas de conservación.En este artículo, realizamos una revisión general de los actuales métodos disponibles que se utilizan para la determinación de subespecies y ecotipos de abejas melíferas, o que pueden ser utilizados para verificar el origen genético de las colmenas seleccionadas con fines de cría.Además, resumimos las características de los métodos morfométricos, de aloenzimas y de ADN, realizamos recomendaciones con respecto a las estrategias de muestreo, y sugerimos métodos para el análisis estadístico de los datos. En particular, destacamos la importancia de los datos de referencia y la coherencia de los métodos entre laboratorios para producir resultados comparables.

Honeybee health in Africa—a review

“…Sub-species are mainly classified based on various morphological characteristics, and more recently, molecular techniques have also been applied (Ruttner 1988;Meixner et al 2013). Africa and Madagascar are home to 11 honeybee sub-species, namely Apis mellifera intermissa , Apis mellifera sahariensis , Apis mellifera lamarckii , Apis mellifera jemenitica (sometimes called Apis mellifera nubi , Apis mellifera sudanensis or Apis mellifera bandasii ), Apis mellifera monticola , Apis mellifera litorea , Apis mellifera adansonii , Apis mellifera scutellata , Apis mellifera capensis and Apis mellifera unicolor (Hepburn and Radloff 1998;Engel 1999;Franck et al 2001;Al-Ghamdi et al 2013).…”

Structure and genetic variation of the mitochondrial control region in the honey bee Apis mellifera

“…The mitochondrial molecule of the honeybee, Apis mellifera L., was fully sequenced in 1993 by Crozier and Crozier. Since then, several regions from the mitochondrial molecule have been used for phylogeography and molecular diversity studies of A. mellifera subspecies and populations, particularly the tRNA leu -cox2 intergenic region (Evans et al 2013;Meixner et al 2013). This intergenic region shows length and sequence variation allowing a grouping of subspecies largely congruent with the morphometrical classification that subdivide the variation of A. mellifera into four different evolutionary lineages: West (M) and North Mediterranean (C) lineages; an African lineage (A) which groups the African honey bee subspecies; and the Oriental lineage (O) located geographically in the Middle East (Ruttner 1988).…”

Genetic characterization of the honeybee (Apis mellifera) population of Rodrigues Island, based on microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA

“…In its endemic area, Apis mellifera has evolved into at least 28 described subspecies (Ruttner 1988;Sheppard and Meixner 2003;Meixner et al 2011Meixner et al , 2013 which have been grouped into four evolutionary branches using morphometric analysis (Ruttner 1988): the European NorthMediterranean (C) and the West-Mediterranean (M) lineages, the Oriental O lineage and the African A lineage. The breakdown of the different evolutionary lineages is supported by molecular analyses (Garnery et al 1992;Whitfield et al 2006;Wallberg et al 2014).…”