Free Access
| Issue |
Apidologie
Volume 31, Number 3, May-june 2000
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Page(s) | 443 - 452 | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/apido:2000135 | |
DOI: 10.1051/apido:2000135
Apidologie 31 (2000) 443-452
Hybridization between European and Africanized honeybees in tropical Yucatan, Mexico. II. Morphometric, allozymic and mitochondrial DNA variability in feral colonies
José Javier G. Quezada-Euáun
Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán,
Apdo. Postal 4-116, Mérida, Yucatan 97100, Mexico
(
Abstract:
This paper presents the results of a long-term study on the genetic status of feral Yucatecan honey bees
combining analyses of morphological, allozyme and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) characters. The results showed
that feral Yucatecan colonies had varying degrees of association between European/African morphology,
allozymes and haplotypes. Frequencies of European markers varied between years, but markers
(polymorphisms) of European origin were present in the Yucatecan feral population in frequencies that
indicate a process of European/African hybridization. These data suggest that population size,
environmental conditions and characteristics of the established feral population in Yucatan have provided
quantitative and qualitative opportunities for European gene introgression in the feral population, and
thus better explain the present genetic composition of feral Africanized honeybees in southeast Mexico.
Keywords:
Apis mellifera / Africanized honeybee / hybridization / mtDNA / morphology / allozyme /
Yucatan
Correspondence and reprints: José Javier G. Quezada-Euáun
E-mail: qeuan@tunku.uady.mx
Copyright INRA/DIB/AGIB/EDP Sciences