We analyzed a total of 103 samples of Apis cerana from 7 different locations (Bangkok, Sawi, Samut Songkrom, Surat Thani, Pracuap Khiri Khan, Lumphun, and Ko Samui) throughout Thailand for five polymorphic microsatellite loci, Am 294, Am 217, A 113, Ap 43, and Ap 33. Considerable genetic variability in Apis cerana from Thailand was detected. The five microsatelite loci had 5, 9, 3, 11 and 5 alleles respectively, within the samples studied. Except for the sample from Bangkok, there were no significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The statistical analysis shows considerable genetic differentiation between samples from northern and southern Thailand, while within populations, the differentiation is much less. These results support existing hypotheses on the geographic variability of Apis cerana in Thailand based on results obtained with morphological and molecular methods dividing the bees of North Thailand and the rest of the country into two different subspecies (Apis cerana cerana, and Apis cerana indica respectively).
Species 1: Hymenoptera Apidae Apis mellifera
Keywords: Geographic variation
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