中国东方蜜蜂雄蜂的形态特征

为探讨雄蜂形态特征应用于中国东方蜜蜂分类区划的价值及可能性,测定全国16个省市地区东方蜜蜂的28个与雄蜂职能相关的形态学指标,利用SPSS19.0将获得的形态指标数据进行均数分析、ANOVA分析、主成分分析和聚类分析。结果显示,雄蜂样本中三亚个体最小,工蜂样本中白沙个体最小,二者同属海南地区,均数分析结果基本一致;全部28个形态指标各样点雄蜂之间均存在显著性差异(p0.01),与对照组工蜂ANOVA分析结果完全一致(p0.01);利用形态指标的主成分分析发现雄蜂组全部10个长度指标和肘脉a及3个重量指标聚集为一个独立区域,与对照组工蜂反映出主要信息基本一致;聚类分析中基于雄蜂形态指标的聚类结果对比目前公认的东方蜜蜂分类结论,可以大致区分各地的东方蜜蜂种群。因此,利用雄蜂形态特征分类中国东方蜜蜂具有一定可能性和参考价值,本研究为东方蜜蜂资源的区划提供了新思路和基础数据。     

中国甘肃东北部地区东方蜜蜂(Apis cerana)形态学研究

本研究采集甘肃东北部地区泾川蜂场、庄浪蜂场和平凉蜂场的东方蜜蜂Apis cerana43群,采样点地貌包括山地、丘陵和平原。运用蜜蜂形态学研究方法对东方蜜蜂40个形态特征指标进行测量分析。运用SPSS13．0对蜜蜂形态数据进行方差分析、主成分分析、聚类分析及环境因子相关性分析。研究结果表明：甘肃东北部地区不同采样点东方蜜蜂形态特征指标存在显著差异,而且与环境因素显著相关。     

广西东方蜜蜂遗传多样性分析

[目的]东方蜜蜂Apis cerana是我国重要的经济昆虫,是生态循环中的重要环节,对其进行种群遗传研究能为东方蜜蜂遗传资源的发现、保护和利用提供基础.广西是我国东方蜜蜂重要的产区和分布区之一.[方法]本研究通过33个形态标记、38个微卫星标记和tRNAleu-CO Ⅱ片段的线粒体标记,对广西东方蜜蜂进行遗传分化、特征和遗传多样性分析.[结果]根据形态逐步判别-聚类分析、主成分-聚类分析,微卫星DAPC、Structure分析、聚类树分析、Fst、AMOVA分析,以及线粒体的Fst分析,结果显示广西东方蜜蜂没有发生种群遗传分化.广西东方蜜蜂的微卫星遗传多样性水平在各样点间较为稳定,但线粒体遗传多样性在广西不同样点间的差异较大.线粒体遗传结构易受人为影响,受人为影响小的9个样点线粒体结构中以Acmt01001为主要单倍型;在活框饲养技术发达的北流样点和北海样点,线粒体遗传结构的主要单倍型有2-3种,且Acmt01001比例不是最高的,这意味着人工育王等人为干扰影响较大.[结论]在广西环境基本一致且种群数量较大,基因流通畅的条件下,最远距离约650 km的样点间没有发生遗传分化,意味着东方蜜蜂仅由距离导致遗传分化的距离要大于650 km.根据广西东方蜜蜂遗传多样性现状,对广西东方蜜蜂遗传资源保护和利用提出了建议.     

中国东方蜜蜂不同地理种群的RAPD分析

本研究采用RAPD技术对来自中国境内8个省市的28群东方蜜蜂Apis cerana进行了研究,探讨了它们之间的亲缘关系.结果表明:15条随机引物共扩增产生了155条谱带,其中单个弓l物扩增的谱带数为4～16条,多态性条带为122条,多态比率为78.7%;不同种群东方蜜蜂遗传多样性丰富,遗传距离变化较大,最大为0.4197(海南-北京),最小为0.0933(江西-甘肃);聚类结果显示8个地理种群的东方蜜蜂可聚为3个聚类簇,且各地理种群的亲缘关系与空间距离正相关.     

基于线粒体基因的东方蜜蜂群体亚分化研究

【目的】进一步了解我国境内东方蜜蜂Apis cerana(Fabricius)群体的亚分化状况,为保护和合理利用这一宝贵的蜂种资源提供理论依据。【方法】采用公开的两对引物对中国境内19个地区的东方蜜蜂线粒体tRNAIle~ND2与16S rRNA基因的部分序列进行了扩增、测序,并与其他地区东方蜜蜂的相应序列进行了比对分析。【结果】扩增获得的tRNAIle~ND2基因的部分序列长度为471~474 bp,序列中共13个变异位点;16S rRNA基因的部分序列长度为581~585 bp,序列中共6个变异位点。ND2基因部分蛋白比对结果显示,仅山西沁源东方蜜蜂有一个位点发生变异。【结论】基于两基因部分序列所构建的系统发育树表明,海南东方蜜蜂明显区别于其他地区的东方蜜蜂;阿坝地区的东方蜜蜂可能属于高海拔地区的一种生态型,未支持其单独作为一个亚种的结论;吉林3个地区的东方蜜蜂之间亲缘关系较近,可能属于一个生态型;云南东方蜜蜂的变异比较丰富。     

沂蒙山地区中华蜜蜂种群遗传多样性分析(英文)

【目的】中华蜜蜂Apis cerana cerana是一种重要的种质资源和传粉昆虫,本研究旨在探究山东省沂蒙山地区中华蜜蜂种群遗传多样性和种群结构关系,为沂蒙山地区中华蜜蜂种质资源利用与保护提供理论依据。【方法】本研究通过选取山东省沂蒙山地区7个采样地点的114群中华蜜蜂采集蜂,根据Ruttner的形态学分析方法,对其36项形态学指标进行测定;并利用筛选后的11对荧光标记微卫星引物,研究其遗传多样性。【结果】形态学分析结果表明,沂蒙山地区中华蜜蜂工蜂的平均体长为12.064~13.351 mm,平均前翅长为8.198~8.694 mm。11个微卫星位点共检测到58个等位基因,每个位点的等位基因数从2~17不等,7个群体的平均期望杂合度和多态信息含量分别为0.3115和0.2872,平均等位基因数为2.4545(ST-AQ)~4.0000(BHY),平均期望杂合度为0.1916~0.3397,群体的平均遗传分化系数Fst为0.048。Nei氏遗传距离为0.0092(XL-DLZ到XZ-XLZ))~0.1000(XL-DLZ到XL-DJW)。聚类分析结果表明沂蒙山地区的中蜂可以分成3类。【结论】沂蒙山地区各个采样地点之间的中华蜜蜂种群结构接近,表明不同种群之间存在着基因交流,与其他地区中华蜜蜂种群比较,沂蒙山地区中华蜜蜂在形态和遗传结构上存在一定的特异性。     

表观遗传学与蜜蜂级型分化的研究进展

蜜蜂是一种高度社会化的昆虫,一个完整健康的蜂群通常是由蜂王、工蜂和雄蜂组成。尽管蜂王和工蜂的遗传物质相同,但它们在形态特征、行为职能和寿命方面表现出显著的差异。许多研究结果表明,营养因素是造成蜜蜂级型分化现象的主要原因,它可以影响蜂王幼虫和工蜂幼虫体内大量基因和蛋白的差异表达。随着表观遗传学的发展,人们对基因表达的调控机制有了新的认识,它与DNA甲基化、非编码RNA调控和组蛋白乙酰化等密切相关。这也为蜜蜂级型分化的分子机制提供了新的理论。本文就表观遗传学和蜜蜂级型分化的研究进展做一综述。     

中国境内不同地理型东方蜜蜂遗传多样性的AFLP分析

利用22对AFLP引物组合对我国9个省市的11个东方蜜蜂种群和1个西方蜜蜂种群的39个个体基因组DNA的遗传变异进行了研究;根据AFLP分析结果,采用GeneScan3.0软件、群体遗传数据分析包（Hickory v1.0.4） 和群体遗传变异分析程序（AFLP-SURV 1.0）,分别计算了39个个体间的遗传相似系数和各蜜蜂种群的Nei's遗传距离、Reynolds遗传距离和成对的固定指数F_st,并构建了各自的UPGMA聚类关系图。结果表明：AFLP标记具有很高的多态检测效率,适合于蜜蜂种群遗传多样性分析和品种鉴定。蜜蜂种间的遗传分化明显,亲缘关系较远。中国境内不同地理型东方蜜蜂群体间存在着广泛的遗传变异。UPMGA聚类关系图显示,海南东方蜜蜂由于长期的海岛隔离,已经形成了一个独特的类群,支持了通过形态学认定的海南东方蜜蜂为东方蜜蜂的一个新亚种。     

中国甘肃东北部地区东方蜜蜂(Apis cerana)形态学研究

本研究采集甘肃东北部地区泾川蜂场、庄浪蜂场和平凉蜂场的东方蜜蜂Apis cerana 43群,采样点地貌包括山地、丘陵和平原.运用蜜蜂形态学研究方法对东方蜜蜂40个形态特征指标进行测量分析.运用SPSS13.0对蜜蜂形态数据进行方差分析、主成分分析、聚类分析及环境因子相关性分析.研究结果表明:甘肃东北部地区不同采样点东方蜜蜂形态特征指标存在显著差异,而且与环境因素显著相关.     

秦巴山区中华蜜蜂种群微卫星DNA遗传分析

【目的】中华蜜蜂Apis cerana cerana是一种兼有生态价值和经济价值的授粉昆虫。本研究拟揭示秦巴山区中华蜜蜂种群遗传多态性现状,探讨中华蜜蜂的种群分化机制及其影响因素。【方法】使用8个微卫星DNA标记评估秦巴山区17个样点共979个蜂群的中华蜜蜂遗传多态性,以长白山中华蜜蜂和阿坝中华蜜蜂作为外群进行种群遗传分化分析。【结果】秦巴山区中华蜜蜂95%的差异来源于样点内,样点间遗传分化系数(Fst)为0.002~0.037,基因流参数Nm为6.51~124.75,与外群的遗传分化分析中均显示秦巴山区中华蜜蜂不存在遗传分化。平均期望杂合度(He)为0.6877±0.1098,平均观察杂合度(Ho)为0.6364±0.1367,平均有效等位基因数(Ne)为3.7488±1.6201个,平均等位基因数(Na)为7.71±2.52个,多态信息含量(PIC)为0.6418±0.1152,香农指数(I)为1.5026±0.3754,这些参数均表明微卫星遗传多态性丰富。中蜂囊状幼虫病流行过的地区,其杂合度、多态信息含量以及等位基因数均显著低于未发病地区。【结论】秦巴山区中华蜜蜂种群数量大,分布均匀,基因流水平高,在650 km距离范围内没有发生种群分化;秦巴山区中华蜜蜂微卫星遗传多态性丰富,仅部分地区中华蜜蜂遗传多态性受中蜂囊状幼虫病的选择压而降低。     

Discriminant conditioning of foragers in the Asian honey bees Apis cerana and A.dorsata

Abstract.

• 1 Nectivore foraging environments are typically modelled as choices among non-fluctuating rewards, but in reality they often consist of intermittent daily nectar and pollen sources. Intermittent rewards create two distinct foraging problems for colonial nectivores: re-recruitment (periodically returning to intermittent rewards) and re-allocation (finding new rewards).
• 2 The role of scent in learning and remembering the locations of discontinuous nectar rewards was examined by testing re-recruitment efficiency of Apis cerana and A.dorsata to reward-correlated scents (odour discriminant self-conditioning). Experiments examined the responses of non-naive foragers to an odour correlated with prior reward, and to odours not correlated with prior rewards, by placing different scents into a colony and observing the number of bees re-recruited to a feeding station.
• 3 Re-recruitment of non-naive foragers in both species was significantly greater in response to the conditioning scent than to the experimental controls. However, species behaviour differed in one aspect; re-recruited A.cerana foragers landed on the feeding station when unscented reward was offered, whereas re-recruited A.dorsata foragers returned but would not land without conditioning scent present in the reward.

     

Hemolymph proteome changes during worker brood development match the biological divergences between western honey bees (Apis mellifera) and eastern honey bees (Apis cerana)

Background

Hemolymph plays key roles in honey bee molecule transport, immune defense, and in monitoring the physiological condition. There is a lack of knowledge regarding how the proteome achieves these biological missions for both the western and eastern honey bees (Apis mellifera and Apis cerana). A time-resolved proteome was compared using two-dimensional electrophoresis-based proteomics to reveal the mechanistic differences by analysis of hemolymph proteome changes between the worker bees of two bee species during the larval to pupal stages.

Results

The brood body weight of Apis mellifera was significantly heavier than that of Apis cerana at each developmental stage. Significantly, different protein expression patterns and metabolic pathways were observed in 74 proteins (166 spots) that were differentially abundant between the two bee species. The function of hemolymph in energy storage, odor communication, and antioxidation is of equal importance for the western and eastern bees, indicated by the enhanced expression of different protein species. However, stronger expression of protein folding, cytoskeletal and developmental proteins, and more highly activated energy producing pathways in western bees suggests that the different bee species have developed unique strategies to match their specific physiology using hemolymph to deliver nutrients and in immune defense.

Conclusions

Our disparate findings constitute a proof-of-concept of molecular details that the ecologically shaped different physiological conditions of different bee species match with the hemolymph proteome during the brood stage. This also provides a starting point for future research on the specific hemolymph proteins or pathways related to the differential phenotypes or physiology.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2164-15-563) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Flower visitation patterns of the coexisting honey bees Apis cerana japonica and Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

We compared flower visitation patterns of two coexisting honey bees, Apis mellifera Linnaeus and Apis cerana japonica Radoszkowski, on 20 plant species, including three exotics, under natural conditions in Nara, Japan, from April to August 2012. We also measured flower color based on bee color vision (15 flower species), nectar volume (nine species) and nectar concentration (eight species). Flowers colored white, pink, red, purple and cream were classified as bee‐blue‐green, and yellow was classified as bee‐green. Apis cerana visited 14 plant species and A. mellifera visited 11. Although the two Apis species are similar in morphology, they visited different plants: in particular, A. cerana visited native plant species more often than did A. mellifera. Both A. mellifera and A. cerana visited not only nectariferous flowers but also those with no nectar. We also found different visitation patterns between A. cerana and A. mellifera: Apis cerana more often visited flowers with smaller color angle (bee‐blue‐green), lower chroma and higher brightness, and flowers secreting nectars of higher concentration and smaller volume than did A. mellifera.     

Open-air-nesting honey bees Apis dorsata and Apis laboriosa differ from the cavity-nesting Apis mellifera and Apis cerana in brood hygiene behaviour

The cavity-nesting Apis mellifera and Apis cerana bees detect, uncap, and remove diseased brood. The hygiene behaviour of open-air-nesting bees Apis dorsata and Apis laboriosa was investigated in India and Nepal. Sealed A. dorsata pupae were pin-killed or deep-frozen. The workers removed 73 or 37% of damaged pin-killed pupae depending on the diameter of the pins, and only 7% of the frozen undamaged pupae. Migrating A. dorsata and A. laboriosa left unopened the sealed brood in deserted combs. Thus, A. dorsata and A. laboriosa do not open undamaged cells with dead brood. This behaviour is a more efficient mechanism in preventing the spread of diseases and parasitic mites than uncapping and removing dead pupae by A. mellifera and A. cerana. It may be beneficial for migrating A. dorsata and A. laboriosa to temporarily disuse part of the comb cells in exchange for arresting the mites there and thus reducing the increase of their population.     

T-RFLP analysis of bacterial communities in the midguts of Apis mellifera and Apis cerana honey bees in Thailand

This study investigated bacterial community structures in the midguts of Apis mellifera and Apis cerana in Thailand to understand how bacterial communities develop in Apis species. The bacterial species present in replicate colonies from different locations and life stages were analysed. PCR amplification of bacterial 16S rRNA gene fragments and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses revealed a total of 16 distinct terminal restriction fragments (T-RFs), 12 of which were shared between A. mellifera and A. cerana populations. The T-RFs were affiliated to Beta- and Gammaproteobacteria, Firmicutes and Actinomycetes. The Gammaproteobacteria were found to be common in all stages of honey bee, but in addition, the Firmicutes group was found to be present in the worker bees. Bacterial community structure showed no difference amongst the replicate colonies, but was affected to some degree by geographical location, life stage and species of honey bees.     

Nosema ceranae in European honey bees (Apis mellifera)

Nosema ceranae is a microsporidian parasite described from the Asian honey bee, Apis cerana. The parasite is cross-infective with the European honey bee, Apis mellifera. It is not known when or where N. ceranae first infected European bees, but N. ceranae has probably been infecting European bees for at least two decades. N. ceranae appears to be replacing Nosema apis, at least in some populations of European honey bees. This replacement is an enigma because the spores of the new parasite are less durable than those of N. apis. Virulence data at both the individual bee and at the colony level are conflicting possibly because the impact of this parasite differs in different environments. The recent advancements in N. ceranae genetics, with a draft assembly of the N. ceranae genome available, are discussed and the need for increased research on the impacts of this parasite on European honey bees is emphasized.     

Pyrosequencing analysis of the bacterial communities in the guts of honey bees Apis cerana and Apis mellifera in Korea

The bacterial communities in the guts of the adults and larvae of the Asian honey bee Apis cerana and the European honey bee Apis mellifera were surveyed by pyrosequencing the 16S rRNA genes. Most of the gut bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequences were highly similar to the known honey bee-specific ones and affiliated with Pasteurellaceae or lactic acid bacteria (LAB). The numbers of operational taxonomic units (OTUs, defined at 97% similarity) were lower in the larval guts (6 or 9) than in the adult guts (18 or 20), and the frequencies of Pasteurellaceae-related OTUs were higher in the larval guts while those of LAB-related OTUs in the adult guts. The frequencies of Lactococcus, Bartonella, Spiroplasma, Enterobacteriaceae, and Flavobacteriaceae-related OTUs were much higher in A. cerana guts while Bifidobacterium and Lachnospiraceae-related OTUs were more abundant in A. mellfera guts. The bacterial community structures in the midguts and hindguts of the adult honey bees were not different for A. cerana, but significantly different for A. mellifera. The above results substantiated the previous observation that honey bee guts are dominated by several specific bacterial groups, and also showed that the relative abundances of OTUs could be markedly changed depending on the developmental stage, the location within the gut, and the honey bee species. The possibility of using the gut bacterial community as an indicator of honey bee health was discussed.