Here we report the genome sequence of the honeybee Apis mellifera, a key model for social behaviour and essential to global ecology through pollination. Compared with other sequenced insect genomes, the A. mellifera genome has high A+T and CpG contents, lacks major transposon families, evolves more slowly, and is more similar to vertebrates for circadian rhythm, RNA interference and DNA methylation genes, among others. Furthermore, A. mellifera has fewer genes for innate immunity, detoxification enzymes, cuticle-forming proteins and gustatory receptors, more genes for odorant receptors, and novel genes for nectar and pollen utilization, consistent with its ecology and social organization. Compared to Drosophila, genes in early developmental pathways differ in Apis, whereas similarities exist for functions that differ markedly, such as sex determination, brain function and behaviour. Population genetics suggests a novel African origin for the species A. mellifera and insights into whether Africanized bees spread throughout the New World via hybridization or displacement.

/pdf/insights-into-social-insects-from-the-genome-of-the-honeybee-iyqt1gjflb.pdf

Insights into social insects from the genome of the honeybee Apis mellifera

I....-......-.... ......'.... ....... " ... ' -:. .,,:.:.::.,.:.::::::::::::::::::::::::,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,".-' .. ..... .: .. - '- -:... ....... -. ......... ......-'. .::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::: :::::::., ....' ........, ,... , '...:::::::::::::::::.\ ... ..' .. ., .. .:.:.:,:.:,:.::.:.,.:.:::.:.:.,.,.".,.",.,.,,,,,.,.,,,,'- '- ..... ....... :::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::. .... ......... ... -,.. ...' ...... ... .." ..,.......,..... ..,...,....."... ......,.,.,...,- --... .. -.........'..... '.:.:.::.:.:.:.:. :.:.:.:!.:.::.:. ,.,.,.,.,.,.,.., ,.'',.,.,... ... ,..... .. -.... -.. .....

https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/1941941.pdf

Habitat fragmentation, native insect pollinators, and feral honey bees in argentine, "chaco serrano"'

We characterized Apis mellifera in both native and introduced ranges using 1136 single-nucleotide polymorphisms genotyped in 341 individuals. Our results indicate that A. mellifera originated in Africa and expanded into Eurasia at least twice, resulting in populations in eastern and western Europe that are geographically close but genetically distant. A third expansion in the New World has involved the near-replacement of previously introduced "European" honey bees by descendants of more recently introduced A. m. scutellata ("African" or "killer" bees). Our analyses of spatial transects and temporal series in the New World revealed differential replacement of alleles derived from eastern versus western Europe, with admixture evident in all individuals.

/pdf/thrice-out-of-africa-ancient-and-recent-expansions-of-the-3yqa4238uu.pdf

Thrice Out of Africa: Ancient and Recent Expansions of the Honey Bee, Apis mellifera

Propolis is a hive product containing chiefly beeswax and plant-derived substances such as resin and volatile compounds. Propolis has been used as an antiseptic and wound healer since ancient times and interest for the product has increased recently. Probably few plant species contribute as major resin sources. Green propolis derives mainly from vegetative apices of Baccharis dracunculifolia (alecrim plants). However, wide variation detected in the chemical composition suggests contributions from alternative resin plant sources. Predominant components of the resin of green propolis are cinnamic acids, chiefly compounds bearing prenyl groups. Terpenoid compounds, such as sesqui, di and pentacyclic triterpenoids, have been detected in many, but not all, samples investigated. Propolis research has uncovered potentialities of substances previously isolated from plants and has detected constituents of plant origin that would hardly be known otherwise.

/pdf/origin-and-chemical-variation-of-brazilian-propolis-5egd3sdajs.pdf

Origin and Chemical Variation of Brazilian Propolis.

Global change may substantially affect biodiversity and ecosystem functioning but little is known about its effects on essential biotic interactions. Since different environmental drivers rarely act in isolation it is important to consider interactive effects. Here, we focus on how two key drivers of anthropogenic environmental change, climate change and the introduction of alien species, affect plant-pollinator interactions. Based on a literature survey we identify climatically sensitive aspects of species interactions, assess potential effects of climate change on these mechanisms, and derive hypotheses that may form the basis of future research. We find that both climate change and alien species will ultimately lead to the creation of novel communities. In these communities certain interactions may no longer occur while there will also be potential for the emergence of new relationships. Alien species can both partly compensate for the often negative effects of climate change but also amplify them in some cases. Since potential positive effects are often restricted to generalist interactions among species, climate change and alien species in combination can result in significant threats to more specialist interactions involving native species.

/pdf/multiple-stressors-on-biotic-interactions-how-climate-change-1rgay6566c.pdf

Multiple stressors on biotic interactions: how climate change and alien species interact to affect pollination

IN the Neotropics, introduced European honey bees (Apis mellifera L.)1,2 have been largely supplanted by bees descended from an African race, A. m. scutellata Lepetier, which were introduced into Brazil in the 1950s. Recent restriction enzyme analyses indicate that mitochondrial DNA in some neotropical populations is almost entirely of African origin3,4, and these data have been cited as evidence for asymmetrical gene flow between African- and European-derived populations3,4. Evaluation of the nature of hybridization in the Neotropics is, however, confounded by possible population size advantages for the African-derived group5–7. As an alternative approach, genetic interactions can be studied in transition areas between zones ecologically and climatically adaptive for both racial groups. We describe here results of a survey transecting regions populated by African- and European-derived honey bees in Argentina. Mitochondrial DNA, morphological and isoenzyme analyses show that substantial hybridization occurs between the two racial groups.

Julio A. Mazzoli

Papers

Gene flow between African- and European-derived honey bee populations in Argentina