Genetic structure of honeybee, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) populations of Turkey inferred from microsatellite analysis

Abstract

SummaryWe analyzed the genetic structure of II honeybee (Apis mellifera L) populations from Turkey and one from Cyprus using 9 microsatellite marker loci. Heterozygosity levels, mean number of alleles per population, number of diagnostic alleles, and pairwise FST values were computed for the populations studied. Heterozygosity levels were found to range between 0.54 and 0.68. We detected high levels of genetic divergence among the populations based on pairwise FST values; 50 of 66 pairwise FST values were significant. The presence of a large number of rare alleles and highly differentiated populations of honeybees are consistent with Anatolia's role as a genetic center for Middle Eastern honeybees. We suggest that certain precautions should be taken to limit introduction of foreign subspecies to preserve native genetic resources.