Free Access
| Issue |
Apidologie
Volume 31, Number 3, May-june 2000
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Page(s) | 343 - 356 | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/apido:2000126 | |
DOI: 10.1051/apido:2000126
Apidologie 31 (2000) 343-356
Genetic and morphometric variation in honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) populations of Turkey
Irfan Kandemir - Meral Kence - Aykut Kence
Department of Biology, Middle East Technical University, 06531 Ankara, Turkey
(
Abstract:
Six enzyme systems were studied to determine the genetic variability in honeybee populations in Turkey.
Ten morphometric characters were also measured to determine the extent of morphometric variation. Out of
six enzyme systems, four were found to be polymorphic with 16 allozymes. The average heterozygosity was
calculated as
.
Morphometric and electrophoretic variables were equally effective in
discriminating honeybee populations. European and Anatolian honeybees were separated on the first axis,
and Anatolian honeybees were further separated along a second canonical axis. The observation of rare
alleles in isoenzymes, detection of high genetic diversity and the presence of four known subspecies
support the argument that Anatolia has been a genetic center for honeybee populations in the Near East.
.
Morphometric and electrophoretic variables were equally effective in
discriminating honeybee populations. European and Anatolian honeybees were separated on the first axis,
and Anatolian honeybees were further separated along a second canonical axis. The observation of rare
alleles in isoenzymes, detection of high genetic diversity and the presence of four known subspecies
support the argument that Anatolia has been a genetic center for honeybee populations in the Near East.
Keywords:
Apis mellifera anatoliaca / A. m. caucasica / A. m. meda / A. m. syriaca
/ population genetics / genetic variability / morphometry / electrophoresis / Turkey
Correspondence and reprints: Aykut Kence
E-mail: aykut@metu.edu.tr
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