Differences between African and European honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) in random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)

Nuclear genetic markers in the form of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) were sought to distinguish African and European honey bees (Apis mellifera L.). DNA amplified separately with 700 ten-base-pair primers was screened for polymorphisms. Five primers were selected. A DNA band amplified by primer 539 is specific to the east European group of honey bee subspecies, and bands amplified by primers 652 and 691 are African specific. Two other markers were found at high frequencies in European populations (primers 694 and 514) but at low frequencies in African populations. The east European band seen with primer 539 was found at high frequencies in New World European group of subspecies. Consistent with previous results from RFLP markers specific to east European bees, the band seen with primer 539 was absent in neotropical African bees. Intermediate frequencies of the African-specific markers (primers 652 and 691) in neotropical populations suggest some degree of hybridization, perhaps with west European bees.