Assessment of genetic variation in Apis mellifera jemenitica (Hymenoptera: Apidae) using Cytochrome Oxidase I gene sequences

The Arabian Honeybee Apis mellifera jemenitica is endemic to the Arabian Peninsula. It is highly adapted to temperature extremes and drought dominating the region. In this study, the mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI) was analyzed in 133 specimens of A. m. jemenitica from eight localities along the Red Sea cost of Saudi Arabia. Results revealed 33 synonymous, and 6 non-synonymous mutations within the COI sequences, resulting in change of 4 amino acids. Phylogenetic analysis based on either type of mutations revealed two main haplogroups accounting for 94% of the samples. In total Eighteen new haplotypes were identified and uploaded in the genebank, Fourteen of them are restricted to one/both haplogroups. All haplotypes identified in this study clustered with reference COI sequences of the sub-lineag Z (African Lineage). However one Haplotype (MW428270) represents high COI variability compared to other haplotypes and may resemble different evolutionary sub-lineage. Tajima's Neutrality Test (Ps = 0.025; D = -1.5) indicated population size expansion that took place after selective sweep and/or purifying selection.