RT Journal Article
T1 Population structure of North African honey bees is influenced by both biological and anthropogenic factors
A1 Chahbar, Nora
A1 Muñoz Gabaldón, Irene
A1 Olio, Raffaele Dall´
A1 Rúa, Pilar De la
A1 Serrano, José
A1 Doumandji, Sallaheddine
AB 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.
PB Springer Nature
SN 1366-638X
YR 2012
FD 2012
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/97678
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/97678
LA eng
NO Chahbar, N., Muñoz, I., Dall’Olio, R. et al. Population structure of North African honey bees is influenced by both biological and anthropogenic factors. J Insect Conserv 17, 385–392 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10841-012-9520-1
NO Ministerio de Educación (España)
NO Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas
DS Docta Complutense
RD 6 abr 2025