Genetic diversity evaluation of Persian honeybees (Apis mellifera meda) in North West of Iran, using microsatellite markers

Using eight microsatellite markers and PCR method, the polymorphisms of three Persian honeybee, Apis mellifera meda, populations in North West of Iran (Ardabil, Azarbaijan-e sharqi and Azarbaijan-e gharbi) investigated and the genetic structure and diversity of populations explored. Total genomic DNA was extracted from thoraces of honeybees. PCR was conducted using eight pairs of microsatellite primers and its products were detected on 4% Nusieve/agarose. In total, seven, five and four microsatellite polymorphic loci were found in Ardabil, A. sharqi and A. gharbi populations, respectively and 42 alleles observed in 30 analyzed samples. A. sh honeybees showed high level of heterozygosity (0.563) and the lowest estimate was 0.438 for A. gh honeybees. Among three studied populations, Ardabil bees were containing maximum private alleles (17 alleles). Maximum genetic resemblance report was between Ardabil and A. sh corresponding to their geographical vicinity. In total, we detected low genetic divergence among honeybee populations of Iranian North West inferred from estimated total FST.