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Genetic assessment of Algerian honeybee populations by microsatellite markers

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Abstract

The genetic diversity and structure of 414 honeybee workers from eight different populations in Algeria were analyzed using 14 polymorphic DNA microsatellite loci. The results showed that the honeybee populations were characterized by substantial genetic variation in terms of the average number of alleles and the degree of heterozygosity. Most populations were at Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. Phylogenetic and population structure analyses confirmed the African origin of the studied Algerian populations and clustered them in a group distinct from evolutionary lineages West Mediterranean (M), North Mediterranean (C), and Oriental (O). Structure analyses revealed weak allelic introgression from both lineages M and C. High genetic variability was found within the Algerian populations. Two honeybee subspecies, Apis mellifera intermissa and Apis mellifera sahariensis, were present. However, to delimit the natural spread area of A. mellifera sahariensis, more samples from southern Algerian are needed.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Algerian beekeepers for their help in collecting samples. We are especially grateful to M. Hamzaoui, H. Diffalaf, and F. Boussouak for their intensive collaboration in honeybee sampling.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Biologie Animale Appliquée, Université Badji-Mokhtar, B.P.13, Sidi-Amar, Annaba, Algeria

    Wahida Loucif-Ayad & Mohamed Achou

  2. Faculté de Médecine, Université Badji-Mokhtar, Route de Zaâfrania, B.P. 205, Annaba, Algeria

    Wahida Loucif-Ayad

  3. Laboratoire Evolution, Génomes et Spéciation, CNRS, Bât13, Avenue de la Terrasse, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France

    Hélène Legout & Lionel Garnery

  4. Université de Versailles, Saint Quentin en Yvelines, 45 Avenue des Etats-Unis, 78, Versailles, France

    Lionel Garnery

  5. Université Laval, Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), 1030, Avenue de la Médecine, G1V 0A6, Québec, QC, Canada

    Mohamed Alburaki

Authors
  1. Wahida Loucif-Ayad
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  2. Mohamed Achou
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  3. Hélène Legout
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  4. Mohamed Alburaki
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  5. Lionel Garnery
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Wahida Loucif-Ayad.

Additional information

Manuscript editor: Marina Meixner

Evaluation génétique des populations d'abeilles algériennes par l'utilisation de marqueurs microsatellites

abeille africaine / Apis mellifera intermissa / Apis mellifera sahariensis / microsatellite / diversité génétique

Genetische Beurteilung der Honigbienenpopulation in Algerien anhand von Mikrosatelliten

Afrikanische Honigbienen / DNA Mikrosatelliten / Apis mellifera intermissa / Apis mellifera sahariensis / genetische Diversität

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Loucif-Ayad, W., Achou, M., Legout, H. et al. Genetic assessment of Algerian honeybee populations by microsatellite markers. Apidologie 46, 392–402 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13592-014-0331-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13592-014-0331-0

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