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25 January 2022 Genetic Diversity and Structure in a Closed Breeding System of Russian Honey Bees
Lelania Bilodeau
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Abstract

High levels of genetic diversity are critical to the success of breeding programs. Russian honey bees are a selected stock that undergoes breeding in a closed block-based mating system. Given its established history, Russian stock has longitudinal measures of genetic integrity (i.e., genetically based stock identity) and diversity. Assessments using genetic stock identification (GSI) have shown that genetic diversity parameters were assessed across breeding blocks for three generations, spanning 6 yr (2014, 2017, and 2020), showing levels comparable to those when the stock was initially released in 2008. Allelic richness (mean number of alleles) and gene diversity levels were consistent over time and among blocks. Blocks were generally not differentiated from one another within each year. However, the 2020 population was distinct when compared with bees sampled in both 2014 and 2017. Genetic distance relationships supported differentiation of the 2020 population by distinct clustering. The patterns observed here are consistent with historical changes made to the breeding program to increase stringency of the selection criteria.

Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America 2022. This work is written by (a) US Government employee(s) and is in the public domain in the US.
Lelania Bilodeau "Genetic Diversity and Structure in a Closed Breeding System of Russian Honey Bees," Journal of Economic Entomology 115(2), 682-687, (25 January 2022). https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toab266
Received: 30 September 2021; Accepted: 15 December 2021; Published: 25 January 2022
JOURNAL ARTICLE
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KEYWORDS
Apis
breeding program
genetic differentiation
Russian honey bees
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