Genetic assessment of Algerian honeybee populations by microsatellite markers

International audienceAbstractThe genetic diversity and structure of 414 honeybee workers from eight different populations in Algeria were analyzed using 14 polymorphic DNA microsatellite loci. The results showed that the honeybee populations were characterized by substantial genetic variation in terms of the average number of alleles and the degree of heterozygosity. Most populations were at Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. Phylogenetic and population structure analyses confirmed the African origin of the studied Algerian populations and clustered them in a group distinct from evolutionary lineages West Mediterranean (M), North Mediterranean (C), and Oriental (O). Structure analyses revealed weak allelic introgression from both lineages M and C. High genetic variability was found within the Algerian populations. Two honeybee subspecies, Apis mellifera intermissa and Apis mellifera sahariensis, were present. However, to delimit the natural spread area of A. mellifera sahariensis, more samples from southern Algerian are needed