Clinal variation and selection of MDH allozymes in honey bee populations

Latitudinal clines of malate dehydrogenase-1 (MDH-1) allozymes occur within honey bee populations on three continents: Europe, North America and South America. The North and South American populations are introduced and demonstrate that Mdh allelic clines were established within the last 150 years. The frequency of the 'medium' electrophoretic allele increases in frequency with increasing latitude while the 'fast' allele decreases with latitude on all the three continents. The clines are best explained by the average daily high temperature for July on all continents. These parallel clines provide evidence for selection on Mdh alleles in honey bees.