The Potential of Complementary Sex-Determiner Gene Allelic Diversity for Studying the Number of Patrilines within Honeybee Colonies

Abstract

Polyandry, a fundamental aspect of honeybee biology, influences genetic diversity within bee colonies. The Csd gene, responsible for sex determination, exhibits a high intraspecific polymorphism, making it a promising candidate for studying patrilines. This study investigates the potential of the complementary sex-determiner gene (Csd) as a marker for genetic studies of honeybee colonies, comparing its efficacy with standard microsatellite markers. A worker bee brood from five colonies was genotyped using both Csd and microsatellite markers. The results showed that Csd alleles offer higher variability than microsatellite markers, providing a superior resolution in genotyping. The number of distinct Csd alleles in each colony surpassed microsatellite markers, demonstrating the potential of Csd for detailed genetic analyses. Despite challenges in Csd amplification efficiency, a two-step nested PCR protocol proved effective. Interestingly, Csd genotyping alone identified more patrilines than the set of five microsatellite markers, emphasizing its efficacy. Combining Csd and microsatellite genotyping enhances the resolution of genetic studies in honeybee colonies, offering valuable insights into genetic diversity, reproductive success, and social dynamics. The Csd gene emerges as a promising tool for advancing genetic studies in honeybee populations.