Genetic variation and population structure of Apis cerana in northern, central and southern mainland China, based on COXI gene sequences

Abstract

The eastern honey bee (Apis cerana), a Chinese native bee species, plays an important role in local ecosystems and agriculture, as it pollinates flowering plants. In this study, we assessed the genetic variation and population structure of A. cerana using the mitochondrial sequences of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COXI). We collected samples from 11 provinces of China and also included previously-collected data from two provinces of southern China. A total of 1,518 sequences with a length of 760 bp in 51 A. cerana populations were analyzed. We found 111 haplotypes within these sequences, of which 78 haplotypes were newly-defined in this study. The star-like median-joining network revealed that the haplotypes found in this study were monophyletic. A large difference in genetic diversity was found, including a gradual decrease from southern to northern populations. The southern populations harbored most of the genetic diversity and should therefore be protected. We also found a significant genetic structure among the studied populations, and defined five populations as key conservation populations. These results could be valuable in making management and conservation strategies, and for a better understanding of the evolutionary history of A. cerana populations in China.