RT Journal Article
T1 Searching for Molecular Markers to Differentiate Bombus terrestris (Linnaeus) Subspecies in the Iberian Peninsula
A1 Cejas, Diego
A1 Ornosa Gallego, Concepción
A1 Múñoz, Irene
A1 Rúa, Pilar de la
AB Bumblebees (genus Bombus Latreille) are pollinator insects of great ecological and economic importance, which commercial use for pollination has increased since the 80s. However, the introduction of foreign Bombus terrestris (Linnaeus) has resulted in a decline of native bumblebee populations in Japan, Chile or Argentina among others. To study the potential introgression of commercial B. terrestris into the Iberian endemic subspecies Bombus terrestris lusitanicus Krüger, it is necessary to find a precise molecular marker that differentiates both subspecies. For this purpose, comparative analyses were carried out between B. t. lusitanicus and B. t. terrestris (Linnaeus) from Spain and from Belgium by sequencing the nuclear genes elongation factor 1-α and arginine kinase and the mitochondrial gene 16S ribosomal RNA, and genotyping with eleven microsatellite loci. No differentiation was observed at the nuclear level, but haplotypes found within the 16S sequence correlated with the morphological characterization of the subspecies. In a case study including individuals sampled before the establishment of bumblebee rearing companies and others from recent samplings, we detected hybrid individuals (those with non-matching morphological subspecies and 16S haplotype) more frequently in the south supporting the naturalization of commercial B. t. terrestris and introgression events between both subspecies. This marker should be used in Iberian populations with the aim to support management and conservation actions in endemic populations of B. t. lusitanicus.
PB Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana
SN 0361-6525
YR 2018
FD 2018-10-11
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/12364
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/12364
LA eng
NO Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO)/FEDER
NO Fundación Séneca
DS Docta Complutense
RD 17 abr 2025