Microsatellite Markers Reveal Genetic Diversity among Honey Bee Populations from Some Balkan Peninsula Regions and Distinctive Characteristics of the Local for Bulgaria Apis mellifera rodopica

The genetic polymorphism in honey bee populations from some Balkan peninsula countries was investigated using microsatellite DNA analysis. The local for Bulgaria A. m. rodopica, Petrov, 1991 population was compared with A. m. macedonica and A. m. carnica populations, originating from Greece and Serbia, respectively. In total, 88, 64 and 58 alleles were found for the nine microsatellite loci in the gene pool of the studied Bulgarian, Greek and Serbian populations. Genetic parameters and relationships between the investigated honey bee populations from some Balkan peninsula regions were analyzed. Twenty private alleles were detected for the population of the local Bulgarian A. m. rodopica, eight – for the Greek population of A. m. macedonica and 11 – for the A. m. carnica population from Serbia. Clear diagnostic markers, appropriate for distinguishing the local Bulgarian honey bee were found and described. It was concluded that together with the other molecular, biochemical, morphological and ethological indicators, described earlier, they could be taken into consideration when conduct activities for the conservation of the local Bulgarian honey bee A. m. rodopica.