The sperm of Apis mellifera siciliana and Apis mellifera ligustica: A preliminary and comparative note

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the qualitative and quantitative changes of sperm viability of Apis mellifera ligustica and Apis mellifera siciliana stored at a steady room temperature of 23 °C after manual collection. The characteristics of semen were evaluated within 3–4 h after its collection. The semen volume produced by each drone of A. m. siciliana averaged 0.92 ± 0.03 μL; the sperm concentration averaged 3.85 ± 0.05 × 10⁶/mL; sperm motility showed a wide range with mean 3.3 ± 0.82%; the longevity/viability test showed variable values averaging 5.30 ± 0.36 h. The semen volume produced by each drone of A. m. ligustica averaged 0.94 ± 0.05 μL; the sperm concentration averaged 4.59 ± 0.34 × 10⁶/mL; sperm motility showed a wide range with mean 3.54 ± 0.97%; the longevity/viability test showed variable values averaging 4.98 ± 0.49 h. Results showed lower sperm concentration (p < 0.0001) and higher viability (p = 0.0036) in sperm of A. m. siciliana than A. m. ligustica. This study provides additional and preliminary information on the sperm quality and quantitative characteristics of A. m. siciliana.

Keywords:

• Sicilian black honey bee
• sperm quality
• semen collection
• comparative note

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.