Mitochondrial DNA Variation in Peruvian Honey Bee (Apis mellifera L.) Populations Using the tRNA(leu)-cox2 Intergenic Region

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Currently, the genetic diversity of Peruvian honey bee populations is unknown. Only two studies were carried out and suggest that many regions of Peru present Africanized honey bee colonies and a varied degree of Africanization. To molecularly characterize and know more about the genetic background of Peruvian honey bees, the highly polymorphic tRNAleu-cox2 was used. This study analyzed 512 colonies in three regions of Peru: Lima, Piura, and Junín. The results indicated that 65% colonies correspond to lineage A (African), 33.8% colonies to lineage C (Eastern European), and 1.2% colonies to lineage M (Western European). A total of 24 haplotypes were identified: 16 haplotypes belong to lineage A (sub-lineage A(I) (13), sub-lineage A(III) (03)), lineage C (06), and lineage M (02), and 15 of them are for the first time reported and represented by A1t, A1u, A1w, A4p, A4q, A4s, A4t, A4u, A4v, A4w, 30d, A30e, A65, M7b, and M7c. Piura and Lima presented higher proportions of African haplotypes and lower proportions of haplotypes from lineage C than Lima. Very few haplotypes of lineage M were identified, whose presence could be due to accidental purchases or traces of honey bee introductions from lineage M in the 19th century. Hence, studies about the diversity and genetic structure of Peruvian honey bee populations are necessary to promote adequate, sustainable management and establish conservation and breeding programs. ABSTRACT: Mitochondrial DNA variations of Peruvian honey bee populations were surveyed by using the tRNA(leu)-cox2 intergenic region. Only two studies have characterized these populations, indicating the presence of Africanized honey bee colonies in different regions of Peru and varied levels of Africanization, but the current status of its genetic diversity is unknown. A total of 512 honey bee colonies were sampled from three regions to characterize them. Our results revealed the presence of European and African haplotypes: the African haplotypes identified belong to sub-lineage A(I) (13) and sub-lineage A(III) (03), and the European haplotypes to lineages C (06) and M (02). Of 24 haplotypes identified, 15 new sequences are reported here (11 sub-lineage A(I), 2 sub-lineage A(III), and 2 lineage M). Peruvian honey bee populations presented a higher proportion from African than European haplotypes. High proportions of African haplotype were reported for Piura and Junín, unlike Lima, which showed more European haplotypes from lineage C. Few colonies belonging to lineage M would represent accidental purchase or traces of the introduction into Peru in the 19th century.