A colony defence difference between two honey bee subspecies (Apis mellifera cypria and Apis mellifera caucasica)

SUMMARYThe Chinese black honey bee is a distinct honey bee subspecies distributed in the Xinjiang, Heilongjiang and Jilin Provinces of China. We conducted a study to investigate the genetic origin and the parasite/pathogen profile on Chinese black honeybees. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that Chinese black honeybees were two distinct groups: one group of bees formed a distinct clade that was most similar to Apis mellifera mellifera and the other group was a hybrid of the subspecies, Apis mellifera carnica, Apis mellifera anatolica and Apis mellifera caucasica. This suggests that the beekeeping practices might have promoted gene flow between different subspecies. Screening for pathogens and parasites showed that Varroa destructor and viruses were detected at low prevalence in Chinese black honeybees, compared with Italian bees. Further, a population of pure breeding black honeybees, A. m. mellifera, displayed a high degree of resistance to Varroa. No Varroa mites or Deformed wing virus could be detected in any examined bee colonies. This finding suggests that a population of pure breeding Chinese black honeybees possess some natural resistance to Varroa and indicated the need or importance for the conservation of the black honeybees in China.

Download Full-text

Radioprotective action of venom of honey bee Apis mellifera Caucasica

International Journal of Environment Agriculture and Biotechnology ◽

10.22161/ijeab/2.5.2 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2 (5) ◽

pp. 2288-2292

Author(s):

Topchiyeva Shafiga ◽

Babayev Elmar

Keyword(s):

Apis Mellifera ◽

Honey Bee ◽

Radioprotective Action ◽

Apis Mellifera Caucasica

Download Full-text

Morphometric characterization of Iranian (Apis mellifera meda), Central Anatolian (Apis mellifera anatoliaca) and Caucasian (Apis mellifera caucasica) honey bee populations

Journal of Apicultural Research ◽

10.1080/00218839.2007.11101399 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 46 (4) ◽

pp. 225-231 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

M Bagher Farshineh Adl ◽

H Vasfi Gençer ◽

Çetin Firatli ◽

Rasoul Bahreini

Keyword(s):

Apis Mellifera ◽

Honey Bee ◽

Apis Mellifera Caucasica ◽

Apis Mellifera Meda ◽

Morphometric Characterization

Download Full-text

Genetic characterization of the cyprian honey bee (Apis mellifera cypria) based on microsatell ites and mitochondrial DNA polymorphisms

Journal of Apicultural Science ◽

10.2478/jas-2013-0023 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 57 (2) ◽

pp. 127-134 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Alexandros Papachristoforou ◽

Agnès Rortais ◽

Maria Bouga ◽

Gérard Arnold ◽

Lionel Garnery

Keyword(s):

Mitochondrial Dna ◽

Apis Mellifera ◽

Honey Bee ◽

Dna Markers ◽

Microsatellite Dna ◽

Genetic Characterization ◽

Dna Polymorphisms ◽

Wide Area ◽

Apis Mellifera Cypria

Abstract Honey bee populations from the island of Cyprus were analyzed using microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA markers. A total of 268 colonies were sampled in Cyprus, at six different locations-Kyrenia, Katydata, Flassou, Alabra, Troulloi, and Alassa-covering a wide area of the island. Results showed that the Cyprian honey bee Apis mellifera cypria could be distinguished from other Apis mellifera subspecies based on a „double pattern“ of mitochondrial DNA belonging to the C1 lineage and microsatellite DNA belonging to the O lineage. All populations were homogeneous, except the population from Kyrenia, probably due to the introduction of queens or colonies belonging to the C2, C6, and M7 lineages.

Download Full-text