Population structure of North African honey bees is influenced by both biological and anthropogenic factors

• Published in: Journal of insect conservation 2013-04, Vol.17 (2), p.385-392
• Main Authors: Chahbar, Nora, Muñoz, Irene, Dall’Olio, Raffaele, De la Rúa, Pilar, Serrano, José, Doumandji, Sallaheddine
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal Ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Anthropogenic factors; Apis mellifera; Applied ecology; Bees; Biodiversity; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Conservation biology; Conservation Biology/Ecology; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Entomology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genetic diversity; Genetics of eukaryotes. Biological and molecular evolution; Haplotypes; Honey; Invasive insects; Life Sciences; Mitochondrial DNA; Original Paper; Parks, reserves, wildlife conservation. Endangered species: population survey and restocking; Pesticides; Population genetics, reproduction patterns; Population structure
• ISSN: 1366-638X; 1572-9753
• DOI: 10.1007/s10841-012-9520-1

Honey bee diversity is under threat due to anthropogenic factors as the use of pesticides and the replacement of local colonies to recover from colony losses. To assess the effect of these activities on the genetic diversity and structure of North African honey bee colonies, we studied colonies from the north (Tellian) and the south (Saharan) regions in Algeria, by determining their mitochondrial haplotype and the variation of ten microsatellite loci. Particular haplotypes have been found with a high frequency in each region that may constitute subspecies-specific markers for Apis mellifera intermissa (haplotype A8 at the north) and A. m. sahariensis (haplotype A9 at the south). Moreover, the presence of the haplotype A8 in some Saharan colonies may reflect recent introductions of A. m. intermissa . Structure analysis suggests that a natural differentiation between honey bee populations from Saharan and Tellian regions still exists despite increased colony movements (migration, queen purchases, etc.) during the last decades. One apiary established for the conservation of A. m. sahariensis showed no indication of maternal introgression since all the colonies bear the same haplotype A9. Furthermore, Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium observed in this population indicates that this apiary is appropriate for conservation programs of A. m. sahariensis.