Linking evolutionary lineage with parasite and pathogen prevalence in the Iberian honey bee

Stable genetic diversity despite parasite and pathogen spread in honey bee colonies

“…An etiological analysis was performed for some of the major pathogenic agents affecting honey bees, and subsequently, one adult worker honey bee from each colony was placed directly into 100 % ethanol and stored at −20°C for later DNA analysis (Department of Zoology and Anthropology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia). The evolutionary lineage of each colony was determined previously by analyzing the mitochondrial DNA variation (Jara et al 2012).…”

“…and V. destructor presence had already been analyzed in these colonies (Jara et al 2012). Briefly, about 150 inner worker honey bees from each colony were pooled and analyzed to detect the presence of Nosema spp.…”

“…Adaptive differentiation has traditionally been identified from the differences in allele frequencies among different populations, summarized by an estimate of the F ST (Beaumont 2005). Low-frequency outliers relative to an appropriate Jara et al 2012) neutral population genetic model indicate loci subject to balancing selection, whereas high-frequency outliers suggest adaptive (directional) selection. Lositan is based on a method that describes the expected distribution of allele frequencies (F ST ) vs H e under an island model of migration with neutral markers (Wright 1931).…”

“…This data coincided with that obtained in the original host species of this mite, Apis cerana ). However, a significantly higher incidence of the microsporidian Nosema apis was detected in northern Iberian honey bee populations belonging to the M lineage, a result that changed due to the rapid expansion of Nosema ceranae that now affects more than 50 % of Iberian colonies (Jara et al 2012;Martín-Hernández et al 2012;Botías et al 2012).…”

“…However, we still have a limited and insufficient understanding of the interaction of these pathogenic organisms with their host, Apis mellifera (Martinson et al 2011). In a recent study (Jara et al 2012), the distribution of the V. destructor mite was not significantly related to that of the two evolutionary lineages making up the Iberian honey bee population, Apis mellifera iberiensis (M, Western European lineage at the North-West, and A, African lineage at the South-East; Cánovas et al 2008). This data coincided with that obtained in the original host species of this mite, Apis cerana ).…”