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- Title
Fine scale population genetic structure of Varroa destructor, an ectoparasitic mite of the honey bee ( Apis mellifera).
- Authors
Dynes, Travis; Roode, Jacobus; Lyons, Justine; Berry, Jennifer; Delaplane, Keith; Brosi, Berry
- Abstract
Varroa destructor is an obligate ectoparasitic mite and the most important biotic threat currently facing honey bees ( Apis mellifera). We used neutral microsatellites to analyze previously unreported fine scale population structure of V. destructor, a species characterized by extreme lack of genetic diversity owing to multiple bottleneck events, haplodiploidy, and primarily brother-sister matings. Our results surprisingly indicate that detectable hierarchical genetic variation exists between apiaries, between colonies within an apiary, and even within colonies. This finding of within-colony parasite diversity provides empirical evidence that the spread of V. destructor is not accomplished solely by vertical transmission but that horizontal transmission (natural or human-mediated) must occur regularly.
- Subjects
ECTOPARASITES; HONEYBEES
- Publication
Apidologie, 2017, Vol 48, Issue 1, p93
- ISSN
0044-8435
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s13592-016-0453-7