MtDNA variation in Apis cerana populations from the Philippines

Area of Science:

• Entomology
• Zoology
• Genetics

Background:

• The cavity-nesting honeybee, Apis cerana, is found across Asia and is classified into four subspecies based on morphology.
• Apis cerana indica is one of these subspecies, with its populations in the Philippine Islands requiring further investigation into geographical variability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the geographical genetic variability of Apis cerana indica within the Philippine Islands.
• To identify distinct genetic markers and understand their distribution across different islands.

Main Methods:

• Studied 47 Apis cerana indica colonies from various locations in the Philippines, including major islands (Mindanao, Luzon, Palawan) and Visayan Islands.
• Employed restriction and sequence analysis of PCR-amplified fragments of the tRNAleu-COII mitochondrial DNA region to estimate genetic variation.

Main Results:

• Identified four distinct haplotypes (Ce1, Ce2, Ce3, Ce4) that differentiate bee populations among the islands.
• Ce1 haplotype was found in Mindanao and Visayan Islands; Ce2 was exclusive to Luzon; Ce3 and Ce4 were exclusively found in Palawan.
• Phylogenetic analysis revealed substantial intraspecific variability, aligning with the islands' geological history and some prior studies.

Conclusions:

• The identified haplotypes (Ce1-Ce4) serve as genetic markers for Apis cerana indica populations in the Philippines.
• The genetic structure of Apis cerana indica in the Philippines reflects geographical isolation and geological history.
• This study contributes to understanding the molecular evolution and population genetics of Apis cerana indica in Southeast Asia.