Current genetic diversity of managed and commercially produced Apis mellifera colonies in Argentina inferred by wing geometric morphometrics and COI-COII mtDNA locus

Abstract

The current genetic diversity of Apis mellifera colonies in Argentina was evaluated using geometric morphometric analysis of wing shape in 480 managed colonies collected in different regions and 154 colonies commercially produced by 28 different queen breeders. In addition, mitotype (COI-COII) characterization was conducted on queen breeders’ colonies. We found European morphotypes in managed colonies from central and southern regions and greater diversity of A. mellifera subspecies compared to the northern region where African morphotype predominates. In queen breeders’ colonies, we found a fairly heterogeneous degree of hybridization, similar to managed colonies in the central and southern regions but with a clear predominance of A. m. ligustica and A. m. carnica, which was consistent with the mitotype analysis. Current genetic diversity in Argentina is wide and comprises mainly seven subspecies belonging to four evolutionary lineages (C, M, A, and O). This probably results from both historical and current importation events, transhumance, and exchange of queens between regions lacking strong geographical barriers, in combination with genetic dominance factors, gene flow, or adaptation to different environmental conditions.