Intraspecies differences in mechanisms of formation of protective processes in the honeybee <Emphasis Type="Italic">Apis mellifera</Emphasis>

Presented in the work are data on interrace differences in mechanisms of formation of antioxidant and phenoloxidase complexes in honeybees of the Middle Russian (Apis mellifera L.) and Caucasian (Apis mellifera caucasica Gorb.) geographic races. Different degree has been revealed of activation of these complexes depending on their localization in the insect organism and providing different strategy of adaptation to temperature stress. A diverse role of ascorbic acid in regulation of the honeybee protective system has been shown.     

The indigenous honey bees of Saudi Arabia (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Apis mellifera jemenitica Ruttner): Their natural history and role in beekeeping

Apis mellifera jemenitica Ruttner (= yemenitica auctorum: videEngel 1999) has been used in apiculture throughout the Arabian Peninsula since at least 2000 BC. Existing literature demonstrates that these populations are well adapted for the harsh extremes of the region. Populations of Apis mellifera jemenitica native to Saudi Arabia are far more heat tolerant than the standard races often imported from Europe. Central Saudi Arabia has the highest summer temperatures for the Arabian Peninsula, and it is in this region where only Apis mellifera jemenitica survives, while other subspecies fail to persist. The indigenous race of Saudi Arabia differs from other subspecies in the region in some morphological, biological, and behavioral characteristics. Further taxonomic investigation, as well as molecular studies, is needed in order to confirm whether the Saudi indigenous bee populations represent a race distinct from Apis mellifera jemenitica, or merely an ecotype of this subspecies.     

意大利蜜蜂(Apis mellifera ligustica)与中华蜜蜂(Apis cerana ceraca)的生态位比较

为了明确中华蜜蜂和意大利蜜蜂在皖南山区生态适应性,研究两种蜜蜂的食物生态位、时间生态位和空间生态位及其差异,结果是中蜂与意蜂食物(蜜源植物)资源生态位宽度分别是 0.923、0.765,中蜂对蜜源植物采集喜好性差异小,而意蜂差异大,中蜂对意蜂生态位重迭为0.160,中蜂对意蜂生态位相似性为0.755;油菜花期,中蜂与意蜂时间资源生态位宽度分别是0.879、0.801,枇杷花期,分别是0.760、0.677,中蜂与意蜂的空间资源生态位宽度分别是0.797、0.670.中蜂3种生态位宽度均大于意蜂,中蜂三维生态位值是意蜂的1.61倍和1.57倍.表明中蜂在皖南山区生态适应性比意蜂强.     

Genetic analysis and screening of pyrethroid resistance mutations in Varroa destructor populations from Turkey

Experimental and Applied Acarology - Varroa destructor is the most common ectoparasite of the Western honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) worldwide and poses a serious threat to bee health. Synthetic...     

The flight physiology of reproductives of Africanized, European, and hybrid honeybees (Apis mellifera)

Neotropical African honeybees (Apis mellifera scutellata), in the process of spreading throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, hybridize with and mostly replace European honeybees (primarily Apis mellifera mellifera and Apis mellifera ligustica). To help understand this process, we studied the effect of lineage (African, European, or hybrid) on the flight physiology of honeybee reproductives. Flight metabolic rates were higher in queens and drones of African lineage than in European or hybrid bees, as has been previously found for foraging workers. These differences were associated with higher thorax/body mass ratios and higher thorax-specific metabolic rates in African lineage bees. Queens were reared in common colonies, so these metabolic and morphological differences are likely to be genetic in origin. African drones had higher wing beat frequencies and thorax temperatures than European or hybrid bees. Hybrids were intermediate for many parameters, but hybrid queen mass-specific flight metabolic rates were low relative to Africans and were nonlinearly affected by the proportion of African lineage, consistent with some negative heterosis for this trait.     

蜜蜂脑乙酰胆碱免疫反应阳性神经元的分布

通过免疫组织化学方法-PAP法,使用乙酰胆碱(ACh)抗体,研究了中华蜂(Apis sinensis)和意大利蜂(Apis mellifera L)脑中具有乙酰胆碱免疫阳性反应的神经元胞体的形态、分布及神经元类型.并和已知的在其他昆虫脑中用ACh的合成酶ChAT和其水解酶AChE的抗体免疫组化法所获得的结果进行了比较.     

Racial Differences in Division of Labor in Colonies of the Honey Bee (Apis mellifera)

We measured the age at onset of foraging in colonies derived from three races of European honey bees, Apis mellifera mellifera, Apis mellifera caucasica and Apis mellifera ligustica , using a cross-fostering design that involved six unrelated colonies of each race. There was a significant effect of the race of the introduced bees on the age at onset of foraging: cohorts of A. m. ligustica bees showed the earliest onset, regardless of the race of the colony they were introduced to. There also was a significant effect of the race of the host colony: cohorts of bees introduced into mellifera colonies showed the earliest onset of foraging, regardless of the race of the bees introduced. Significant inter-trial differences also were detected, primarily because of a later onset of foraging in trials conducted during the autumn (September–October). These results demonstrate differences among European races of honey bees in one important component of colony division of labor. They also provide a starting point for analyses of the evolution of division of labor under different ecological conditions.     

Population genetics of commercial and feral honey bees in Western Australia

Due to the introduction of exotic honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) diseases in the eastern states, the borders of the state of Western Australia were closed to the import of bees for breeding and other purposes > 25 yr ago. To provide genetically improved stock for the industry, a closed population breeding program was established that now provides stock for the majority of Western Australian beekeepers. Given concerns that inbreeding may have resulted from the closed population breeding structure, we assessed the genetic diversity within and between the breeding lines by using microsatellite and mitochondrial markers. We found that the breeding population still maintains considerable genetic diversity, despite 25 yr of selective breeding. We also investigated the genetic distance of the closed population breeding program to that of beekeepers outside of the program, and the feral Western Australian honey bee population. The feral population is genetically distinct from the closed population, but not from the genetic stock maintained by beekeepers outside of the program. The honey bees of Western Australia show three mitotypes, originating from two subspecies: Apis mellifera ligustica (mitotypes C1 and M7b) and Apis mellifera iberica (mitotype M6). Only mitotypes C1 and M6 are present in the commercial populations. The feral population contains all three mitotypes.     

Rheological properties of the blood and erythrocyte suspension after exposure to zootoxins

The rheological properties of blood (viscosity, suspension stability and deformation of red blood cells) have been studied under the influence of zootoxins. It has been shown that the toxins Apis mellifera, Mesobuthus eupeus, Agkistrodon blomhoffii in vitro exert essential effect on haemorheological indexes.     

Studies on the possible competition for pollen between the honey bee, Apis mellifera sudanensis, and the imported dwarf honey bee Apis florea (Hym., Apidae) in North-Khartoum (Sudan)

Abstract:   Based on identification of collected pollen, in the area of North Khartoum, 21 plant genera (ca. 21 spp.) proved to be the main pollen sources for the honey bee Apis mellifera sudanensis . The imported dwarf honey bee Apis florea exploited 11 of these. The main pollen flow in the study area occurred between early December and late March. This is reflected by the amount of pollen collected by colonies of A. mellifera sudanensis . In spite of observations conducted soon after the introduction of A. florea , which gave hints of competition between the two bee species, further studies showed that A. mellifera sudanensis and A. florea do seem to coexist. This coexistence is based on different daily rhythms of pollen collection. A. mellifera collected pollen of Acacia seyal , date palm, and onions early in the morning (and partly in the late afternoon), while A. florea started pollen collection mostly later in the morning and ended it earlier in the afternoon. But in contrast to A. mellifera, A. florea was collecting pollen all day without interruption, even at very high air temperatures. Niche overlap (concerning the times of visits to flowers) between the two bee species was very low in date palms, and of medium importance in Acacia seyal . But it is remarkable that in total, A. florea is always present in higher numbers than A. mellifera sudanensis , on flowers. The significance of the introduction of A. florea to Sudan for pollination is discussed.     

High genetic variability of Nosema ceranae populations in Apis mellifera from East Asia compared to central Asia and the Americas

Biological Invasions - Nosema ceranae is believed to have been originally a parasite of the Asian honey bee, Apis cerana, in East Asia that later infected the Western honey bee, Apis mellifera,...     

中华蜜蜂mrjp1 cDNA的克隆及其序列分析

构建中华蜜蜂(Apis cerana cerana)8日龄工蜂头部cDNA文库,利用中蜂基因组的mrjp3部分基因片段作为杂交探针,采用DIG标记筛选cDNA文库,获得mrjps阳性克隆120个;对阳性克隆进行PCR扩增和测序,通过NCBI的BLAST序列比对,获得12个与印度蜂(Apis cerana india)、西方蜜蜂(Apis mellifera L.)mrjp1基因同源的中蜂mtjp1 cDNA片段,并进一步对中华蜜蜂mrjp1的cDNA全序列进行测定和分析。序列比对分析表明,东方蜜蜂(Apis cerana)与西方蜜蜂mrjp1的cDNA序列相似性为93．78％,中华蜜蜂与印度蜂的相似性高达99．36％,这一结果从分子水平证实中华蜜蜂与印度蜂有较近的共同祖先,而东方蜜蜂与西方蜜蜂的亲缘关系较远。     

Recovery of learning responses by honeybees following a sublethal exposure to permethrin

ABSTRACT A classical conditioned response was used to evaluate the learning behaviour of honeybees ( Apis mellifera L.) which survived a sublethal dose of permethrin. Treated bees had lower learning response levels than untreated bees for 3 days, but regained normal learning ability on the fourth day after exposure. However, bees trained prior to exposure showed no significant effect of permethrin on their conditioned response.     

尼日利亚非洲蜂和安徽意大利蜜蜂及其杂交二代形态特征与微卫星DNA遗传多样性

对来自安徽的意大利蜜蜂、尼日利亚非洲蜂与意大利蜂蜂王与非洲蜂雄蜂杂交所选育的杂交二代3个群体,利用形态学和微卫星DNA多态性相结合的方法进行研究。对安徽意大利蜜蜂、尼日利亚非洲蜂及其杂交二代形态特征进行测量结果是,吻长平均值分别为6.09、5.23 mm和5.53 mm,右前翅宽平均值分别为3.35、8.42 mm和8.65 mm,前翅面积平均值分别为15.18、13.23 mm2和13.95 mm2,前翅肘脉a平均值分别为0.59、0.49 mm和0.55 mm,第3+4背板长平均值分别为4.38、3.80mm和4.04 mm,差异极显著(P≤0.01)。右前翅长平均值分别为9.06、3.12 mm和3.22 mm,差异显著(0.010.05)。对3个群体进行多态检测,共检测到121个等位基因,平均每个位点的等位基因数为8.067,单个位点的等位基因数从3到13不等,表明3个群体都具有较丰富的遗传多样性。3个群体期望杂合度为0.5801至0.8526,平均期望杂合度为0.7591(0.0762)。所有位点的多态信息含量为0.5158至0.8363,平均多态信息含量为0.7283(0.0879)。3个群体的平均期望杂合度,意大利蜜蜂为0.6208,非洲蜂为0.5780,杂交二代为0.7451,非洲蜜蜂和安徽意蜂与其杂交二代之间差异均极显著,安徽意蜂与非洲蜜蜂之间差异不显著。3个群体都具有较高的杂合度和较丰富的多态性,其中杂交二代最高。意大利蜜蜂和尼日利亚非洲蜂平均遗传分化系数FST为0.0436,两个群体间的分化程度极显著,8个位点都极显著地贡献于这一结果。群体内的近交系数FIS较低,为0.070,15个位点显著地贡献于这一结果,表明非洲蜂与意大利蜜蜂的近交较少。非洲蜂和意大利蜜蜂遗传距离为0.725,Nm值为0.213,两个群体间表现出较远的遗传距离,而且彼此之间基因流动较少。安徽意蜂和非洲蜂群体间长期存在地理隔离,两个群体间形态指标差异显著,杂交二代群体形态指标低于安徽意蜂,但比尼日利亚非洲蜂均有不同程度的提高,在形态特征上体现了杂交优势,两群体杂交二代等位基因数、基因杂合度及多态信息含量等遗传多样性指标均有显著提高。     

Honeybee,Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae), leaf damage on Alnus species in Uganda: a blessing or curse in agroforestry?

It is a dictum that Apis mellifera Linnaeus is innocuous in agricultural ecosystems. This study provides the first record of A. mellifera as a significant defoliator of Alnus species. Careful field observations coupled with microscopic examination provided convincing evidence implicating A. mellifera as the cause of leaf perforation on Alnus species in Uganda. Apis mellifera was observed foraging selectively on young Alnus leaves and buds in search of a sticky substance, apparently propolis. In so doing, the bee created wounds that enlarged and caused tattering of Alnus leaves as they matured. Biological surveys indicated that the damage was prevalent and occurred widely, particularly on Alnus acuminata Kunth in Uganda. Incidence of the Apis mellifera damage on Alnus acuminata peaked in the dry season, with up to 90% of leaves emerging per shoot per month damaged, and was lowest in the wet months during peak leaf emergence. Apis mellifera leaf damage was consistently higher on Alnus acuminata than A. nepalensis D. Don., on saplings than mature trees, and on sun exposed than shaded leaves. The activity of honeybees may be detrimental to the productivity of Alnus, yet the substance for which the insect forages on Alnus is a resource with potential economic importance.     

Characterization of recombinant and native Ih-channels from Apis mellifera

Recently, a novel class of genes coding for Ih-channels has been identified in several vertebrates and invertebrates. We isolated a cDNA (AMIH) encoding a putative member of these ion channels from Apis mellifera heads by means of polymerase chain reaction and homology screening. High similarity (88% identical amino acids) to the putative Drosophila melanogaster Ih-channel suggests that the Apis cDNA codes for a hyperpolarization-activated and cyclic nucleotide-gated channel. Functional expression of recombinant AMIH in HEK293 cells gave unitary currents that were preferentially selective for potassium over sodium ions and were activated by hyperpolarizing voltage steps. Cyclic nucleotides shifted the voltage activation curve to more positive membrane potentials. The current kinetics, activation by hyperpolarizing voltage steps and modulatory influence of cyclic nucleotides properties closely resemble those of mammalian Ih-channels. RT-PCR analysis showed pronounced mRNA expression in the antennae, head and body of Apis mellifera. Investigation of hyperpolarization-activated currents in olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) in a primary cell culture of Apis mellifera antennal cells revealed activation properties similar to the heterologously expressed Ih-channel. By in-situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, expression of AMIH was seen in olfactory receptor neurons of the bee antennae. We conclude that AMIH is the ion channel responsible for the hyperpolarization-activated currents in olfactory receptor neurons of bee.     

安徽两种蜜蜂种群的春季繁殖及数量动态特征

1997～ 1999年在皖中和皖西、皖南山区对意大利蜜蜂 (ApismelliferaLigusticaSpi.)和中华蜜蜂(ApisceranaceranaFeb .)种群数量动态进行系统观察研究 .结果表明 ,蜜蜂种群数量明显受气候和蜜粉源植物的影响 ,周年呈现“两高”(春、秋 )和两低 (夏、冬 )的变化模式曲线 ;意大利蜜蜂春繁及秋季更新速度明显快于中华蜜蜂 ,但越夏效果不及中华蜜蜂 .意大利蜜蜂的性比值为 (314.4± 2 89.9)∶1～ (32 9.4± 30 5 .8)∶1,中华蜜蜂为 (334.2± 2 35 .5 )∶1～ (413 .1± 377.2 )∶1,雄蜂呈季节性出现 .蜜蜂种群内年龄组配在不断变化 .     

Apis mellifera cytoplasmic elongation factor 1 alpha (EF-1 alpha) is closely related to Drosophila melanogaster EF-1 alpha

Using low stringency hybridisation with a Drosophila melanogaster EF-1 alpha gene fragment we have isolated a genomic DNA clone encoding elongation factor 1 alpha (EF-1 alpha) from Apis mellifera. The hybridising Apis mellifera sequence could be delineated to two small EcoRI fragments that were also revealed by genomic Southern hybridisation. By comparison with the corresponding Drosophila melanogaster data the complete translational reading frame has been deduced. It is interrupted by two intervening sequences of 220 and about 790 nucleotides. Comparison with known eucaryotic EF-1 alpha sequences further confirms that certain amino acid sequences seem to be invariable within the EF-1 alpha protein family.     

Role of honey bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in the pollination biology of a California native plant, Triteleia laxa (Asparagales: Themidaceae)

A central focus of pollination biology is to document the relative effectiveness of different flower visitors as pollinators. Ongoing research seeks to determine the role that introduced honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) play in the pollination of both invasive and native plants. Here we report on the importance of A. mellifera as pollinators of a California native plant, Triteleia laxa Bentham. In observation plots and transect censuses, A. mellifera overwhelmingly dominated the T. laxa flower visitor assemblage. We believe the proximity to agriculture, where A. mellifera density is higher relative to areas far from agriculture, contributes to the discrepancy between A. mellifera abundance at the two sites. Although A. mellifera were inferior flower visitors qualitatively (visited less flowers per minute), they were the most frequent interactors with flowers. Furthermore, the proportion of visits to flowers on the same plant among flower visitor species did not differ, suggesting a general mechanism by which insects forage at T. laxa flowers and that A. mellifera do not cause more deleterious geitonogamy than do native pollinators. Flower visitation rates as a function of floral display size did not differ between A. mellifera and other flower visitors. The difference in the magnitude of flower visitation (largely by A. mellifera) between sites is consistent with a difference in seed set between sites. These results suggest that non-native A. mellifera bees can play an important role in the pollination of native plant species.     

Floral choices by honeybees in relation to the relative distances to flowers

ABSTRACT. Honeybees ( Apis mellifera L.) were presented with a series of binary choices between two equally rewarding yellow or blue artificial flowers. When flowers were placed equidistant from each other, the bees maintained high degrees of constancy to one flower colour. When flowers were spaced unequally, the bees most often chose to visit the closest flower, as is predicted by an optimal foraging model.