Genetic diversity estimation in Apis mellifera L. in a queen bee breeding center of Mayabeque Province, Cuba

Determining genetic diversity in bee populations using molecular markers is essential for the design of breeding programs and conservation. In Cuba there have been no studies of this type, so the aim of the present research was to estimate the genetic diversity of Apis mellifera L. in a queen bee breeding center of Mayabeque province, by use of RAPDs markers. Ten primers (OPA 3, 5, 7, 13, 16, 18 and OPB 1, 2, 9, 20) were tested, but only three of these (OPA-7, OPA-16 and OPB-20) were used for genotyping 45 workers. The assay detected a total of 32 clear and reproducible bands, 15 (46.9%) of which were polymorphic. The number of polymorphic bands amplified with each primer ranged between 4 (40%) to 6 (54.5%). Nei’s average gene diversity was 0,299 and ranged from 0,200 to 0,500 between loci. The 0.87 similarity average value generated with the coefficient of Nei and Li (1979) reinforces previous morfobiometric findings in this queen bee breeding center. The UPGMA cluster analysis allowed the formation of two groups (r = 0.844), the first grouped most individuals studied and the second included only three. These results demonstrated the usefulness of RAPDs for estimating genetic diversity in a population of Apis mellifera L. in Cuba. The low genetic diversity found may be due to improper handling in the selection of the hives.