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Bianchi EM, Ferrari C, Aguirre NC, Filippi CV, Vera PA, Puebla AF, Gennari GP, Rodríguez GA, Scannapieco AC, Acuña CV, Lanzavecchia SB. Phenotypic and genetic characterization of Africanized Apis mellifera colonies with natural tolerance to Varroa destructor and contrasting defensive behavior. FRONTIERS IN INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 3:1175760. [PMID: 38469487 PMCID: PMC10926445 DOI: 10.3389/finsc.2023.1175760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Africanized Apis mellifera colonies with promising characteristics for beekeeping have been detected in northern Argentina (subtropical climate) and are considered of interest for breeding programs. Integral evaluation of this feral material revealed high colony strength and resistance/tolerance to brood diseases. However, these Africanized honeybees (AHB) also showed variable negative behavioral traits for beekeeping, such as defensiveness, tendency to swarm and avoidance behavior. We developed a protocol for the selection of AHB stocks based on defensive behavior and characterized contrasting colonies for this trait using NGS technologies. For this purpose, population and behavioral parameters were surveyed throughout a beekeeping season in nine daughter colonies obtained from a mother colony (A1 mitochondrial haplotype) with valuable characteristics (tolerance to the mite Varroa destructor, high colony strength and low defensiveness). A Defensive Behavior Index was developed and tested in the colonies under study. Mother and two daughter colonies displaying contrasting defensive behavior were analyzed by ddRADseq. High-quality DNA samples were obtained from 16 workers of each colony. Six pooled samples, including two replicates of each of the three colonies, were processed. A total of 12,971 SNPs were detected against the reference genome of A. mellifera, 142 of which showed significant differences between colonies. We detected SNPs in coding regions, lncRNA, miRNA, rRNA, tRNA, among others. From the original data set, we also identified 647 SNPs located in protein-coding regions, 128 of which are related to 21 genes previously associated with defensive behavior, such as dop3 and dopR2, CaMKII and ADAR, obp9 and obp10, and members of the 5-HT family. We discuss the obtained results by considering the influence of polyandry and paternal lineages on the defensive behavior in AHB and provide baseline information to use this innovative molecular approach, ddRADseq, to assist in the selection and evaluation of honey bee stocks showing low defensive behavior for commercial uses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliana Mariel Bianchi
- Área Animal, Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco-Semiárido (IIACS) - Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Santa Rosa de Leales, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Carolina Ferrari
- Escuela de Ciencias Agrarias, Naturales y Ambientales (ECANA), Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de Buenos Aires (UNNOBA), Pergamino, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Natalia C. Aguirre
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABIMO), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carla V. Filippi
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABIMO), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica, Departamento de Biología Vegetal, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Pablo A. Vera
- Unidad de Genómica, Instituto de Biotecnología-Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABIMO), Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas (CICVyA), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andrea Fabiana Puebla
- Unidad de Genómica, Instituto de Biotecnología-Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABIMO), Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas (CICVyA), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gerardo P. Gennari
- Estación Experimental Agropecuaria (EEA) Famaillá, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Famaillá, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Graciela A. Rodríguez
- Estación Experimental Agropecuaria (EEA) Ascasubi, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Hilario Ascasubi, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandra Carla Scannapieco
- Instituto de Genética, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABIMO) Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cintia V. Acuña
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABIMO), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Silvia B. Lanzavecchia
- Instituto de Genética, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABIMO) Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Galindo-Cardona A, Scannapieco AC, Russo R, Escalante K, Geria M, Lepori N, Ayup MM, Muntaabski I, Liendo MC, Landi L, Giray T, Monmany-Garzia AC. Varroa destructor Parasitism and Genetic Variability at Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Drone Congregation Areas and Their Associations With Environmental Variables in Argentina. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.590345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Eimanifar A, Pieplow JT, Asem A, Ellis JD. Genetic diversity and population structure of two subspecies of western honey bees ( Apis mellifera L.) in the Republic of South Africa as revealed by microsatellite genotyping. PeerJ 2020; 8:e8280. [PMID: 31915579 PMCID: PMC6944124 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Apis mellifera scutellata and Apis mellifera capensis, two native subspecies of western honey bees in the Republic of South Africa (RSA), are important to beekeepers in their native region because beekeepers use these bees for honey production and pollination purposes. Additionally, both bees are important invasive pests outside of their native ranges. Recently, whole mitogenome sequencing and single nucleotide polymorphisms were used to study their genetic diversity. To add to our knowledge of the molecular ecology of both bees, we tested the ability of microsatellites to be used as a tool to discriminate between A.m. capensis and A.m. scutellata. We analyzed the genetic variability and overall population structure of both bee subspecies and hybrids of the two by genotyping individuals collected from RSA (N = 813 bees from 75 apiaries) at 19 microsatellite DNA loci. Overall, populations averaged between 9.2 and 11.3 alleles per locus, with unbiased heterozygosity values ranging from 0.81 to 0.86 per population. Bayesian clustering analyses revealed two distinct evolutionary units, though the results did not match those of earlier morphometric and molecular analyses. This suggests that the microsatellites we tested were not sufficient for subspecies identification purposes, especially for Cape and hybrid bees. Nevertheless, the microsatellite data highlight the considerable genetic diversity within both populations and a larger-than-expected hybridization zone between the natural distributions of A.m. capensis and A.m. scutellata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amin Eimanifar
- Entomology and Nematology Department, Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory, Gainesville, FL, USA.,Independent Senior Scientist, Industrial District, Easton, MD, USA
| | - Johanna T Pieplow
- Molekulare Ökologie, Institut Für Biologie, Molekulare Ökologie, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Alireza Asem
- College of Fisheries and Life Science, Hainan Tropical Ocean University, Yucai Road, Sanya, China
| | - James D Ellis
- Entomology and Nematology Department, Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Mortensen AN, Jack CJ, Ellis JD. The discovery of Varroa destructor on drone honey bees, Apis mellifera, at drone congregation areas. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:3337-3339. [PMID: 30094539 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-6035-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Varroa is an external parasitic mite of honey bees and is a vector of multiple viruses that can severely weaken or cause the failure of western honey bee colonies if untreated. Effective Varroa control is dependent upon a thorough understanding of Varroa biology, including how Varroa move between host colonies. Here, we highlight that drone (male) honey bees may also play a role in Varroa dispersal. Drones were collected and the number of Varroa per 100 drones was calculated for each of five drone congregation areas (mating sites). This study is the first to confirm that drones present at drone congregation areas do carry Varroa. Further experimentation is needed to determine the extent to which drone-mediated movement may play a role in Varroa life history and/or to develop practical management strategies to limit drone-mediated movement of Varroa between honey bee hives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley N Mortensen
- Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory, Entomology & Nematology Department, University of Florida, Bldg 970 Natural Area Drive, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA. .,The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Private Bag 3230, Waikato Mail Centre, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand.
| | - Cameron J Jack
- Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory, Entomology & Nematology Department, University of Florida, Bldg 970 Natural Area Drive, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - James D Ellis
- Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory, Entomology & Nematology Department, University of Florida, Bldg 970 Natural Area Drive, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
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Eimanifar A, Kimball RT, Braun EL, Ellis JD. Mitochondrial genome diversity and population structure of two western honey bee subspecies in the Republic of South Africa. Sci Rep 2018; 8:1333. [PMID: 29358597 PMCID: PMC5778041 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-19759-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Apis mellifera capensis Eschscholtz and A.m. scutellata Lepeletier are subspecies of western honey bees that are indigenous to the Republic of South Africa (RSA). Both subspecies have invasive potential and are organisms of concern for areas outside their native range, though they are important bees to beekeepers, agriculture, and the environment where they are native. The aim of the present study was to examine genetic differentiation among these subspecies and estimate their phylogenetic relationships using complete mitochondrial genomes sequences. We used 25 individuals that were either assigned to one of the subspecies or designated hybrids using morphometric analyses. Phylogenetic analyses of mitogenome sequences by maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference identified a monophyletic RSA clade, subdivided into two clades. A haplotype network was consistent with the phylogenetic trees. However, members of both subspecies occurred in both clades, indicating that A.m. capensis and A.m. scutellata are neither reciprocally monophyletic nor do they exhibit paraphyly with one subspecies nested within the other subspecies. Furthermore, no mitogenomic features were diagnostic to either subspecies. All bees analyzed from the RSA expressed a substantial level of haplotype diversity (most samples had unique haplotypes) but limited nucleotide diversity. The number of variable codons across protein-coding genes (PCGs) differed among loci, with CO3 exhibiting the most variation and ATP6 the least.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amin Eimanifar
- Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory, Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32611-0620, USA.
| | - Rebecca T Kimball
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32611, USA
| | - Edward L Braun
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32611, USA
| | - James D Ellis
- Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory, Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32611-0620, USA
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Nganso BT, Fombong AT, Yusuf AA, Pirk CWW, Stuhl C, Torto B. Hygienic and grooming behaviors in African and European honeybees-New damage categories in Varroa destructor. PLoS One 2017. [PMID: 28622341 PMCID: PMC5473549 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0179329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Varroa destructor is an ectoparasitic pest of honeybees, and a threat to the survival of the apiculture industry. Several studies have shown that unlike European honeybees, African honeybee populations appear to be minimally affected when attacked by this mite. However, little is known about the underlying drivers contributing to survival of African honeybee populations against the mite. We hypothesized that resistant behavioral defenses are responsible for the survival of African honeybees against the ectoparasite. We tested this hypothesis by comparing grooming and hygienic behaviors in the African savannah honeybee Apis mellifera scutellata in Kenya and A. mellifera hybrids of European origin in Florida, USA against the mite. Grooming behavior was assessed by determining adult mite infestation levels, daily mite fall per colony and percentage mite damage (as an indicator of adult grooming rate), while hygienic behavior was assessed by determining the brood removal rate after freeze killing a section of the brood. Our results identified two additional undescribed damaged mite categories along with the six previously known damage categories associated with the grooming behavior of both honeybee subspecies. Adult mite infestation level was approximately three-fold higher in A. mellifera hybrids of European origin than in A. m. scutellata, however, brood removal rate, adult grooming rate and daily natural mite fall were similar in both honeybee subspecies. Unlike A. mellifera hybrids of European origin, adult grooming rate and brood removal rate did not correlate with mite infestation levels on adult worker honeybee of A. m. scutellata though they were more aggressive towards the mites than their European counterparts. Our results provide valuable insights into the tolerance mechanisms that contribute to the survival of A. m. scutellata against the mite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice T. Nganso
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
- Social Insects Research Group, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Ayuka T. Fombong
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Abdullahi A. Yusuf
- Social Insects Research Group, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Christian W. W. Pirk
- Social Insects Research Group, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Charles Stuhl
- USDA/ARS—Centre for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Baldwyn Torto
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
- Social Insects Research Group, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- * E-mail:
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