Genetic structure of the bee from Crete island (Greece)

Abstract

The genetic structure of honey bee populations from different areas of Crete Island (Greece), corresponding to Apis mellifera adami, (according to morphometric analysis Ruttner, 1988), were studied by means of RFLP’s analysis of two mtDNA gene segments. Sixty samples were studied, taken from different queens. Total DNA was extracted, then 16s rDNA (965 bp) and CO I (1028 bp) gene segments were amplified using PCR. Seven and six restriction enzymes had at least one recognition site at 16s rDNA and CO I gene segments respectively. Intrapopulation variation was revealed as regards the CO I gene segment digested with BstU I restricted enzyme. It was found out that the genetic structure of these populations perhaps has been changed because of migratory beekeeping and commercial breeding, during last two decades. It seems that in Crete Island there are no pure populations of Apis m. adami. Our data being compared with those from our previous research show that the honey bee from Crete seems to be similar to the honey bee populations from other areas of Greece.