Spatial analysis of genetic variation in a natural population of the dark forest bee (Apis mellifera mellifera L.) from the Southern Urals (Russia)

ABSTRACT

The study objective was to estimate the genetic structure of the aboriginal honeybee population of Apis mellifera mellifera from the Southern Urals (Russia). We identified in 56 wild and 93 managed colonies two spatially separated haplotypes of the mitochondrial locus COI-COII. Some individuals (17.5%) were represented by the invaded subspecies haplotype. Positive significant autocorrelation and a spatial genetic structure were observed at distance of 0–15 km on alleles of nine microsatellite loci. We did not find a difference in the admixture in the nuclear genes for individuals of alternative haplotypes, which proves a strong introgression process. Considering these results, we recommend reinforced measures to conserve this population.

KEYWORDS:

• Honeybee
• haplotypes
• microsatellites
• hybridisation
• introgression
• conservation

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.