Genetic Relationships Between Commercially Produced and Natural Populations of Bombus Terrestris Dalmatinus in Terms of Mitochondrial COI and CytB

Abstract Bombus terrestris dalmatinus is naturally common in many countries, including Turkey, and is also used commercially for the pollination of greenhouse plants. Intensive commercial production and international trade in many countries are considered as reasons for the disappearance of some natural populations. Hybridization of native bumble bees with those produced commercially, but having escaped from greenhouses and colonization of these commercial bees in natural habitats are cause for concern. In order to assess this concern, B. t. dalmatinus workers were collected from twelve different populations: five commercial producers, three surrounding greenhouse centers, three natural areas at least 30 km away from greenhouses, and one more recent greenhouse zone in Antalya, Turkey. The genetic variations and relationships among the twelve populations were estimated using SNP haplotypes determined in mitochondrial COI and CytB. Twenty and sixteen haplotypes were obtained for COI and CytB, respectively. A single haplotype, H1, was widespread with a high frequency in all individuals for both genes. Individuals collected from around greenhouse centers and commercial companies had more common haplotypes. The genetic variations of intra-populations were higher than the interpopulations in both COI (65.41%>34.59%) and CytB (72.47%>27.53%). The natural and commercial populations were genetically more distant from each other considering Fst values. However, samples from near the greenhouses had a higher similarity with the commercially produced samples, while the natural populations far away from greenhouses still retained their genetic distinctiveness.