Genome sequence variation in two subspecies of western honeybee, A.m.carnica and A.m.ligustica

Populations of western honeybee (Apis mellifera) show differences in morphology, physiology and behaviour as a result of adaptation to various habitats. A. m. carnica, which inhabits the South-East and Central Europe, and A. m. ligustica, which is endemic on Apennine peninsula, represent 2 closely related honeybee subspecies living in the neighbouring climatic regions. In the current study, 3,655,618 polymorphisms were identified from the whole genome sequences of 37 individual drone genomes, from A. m. carnica (n=27) and A. m. ligustica (n=10). The analysis revealed variation in genes involved in biological pathways associated with energy production and conversion, cell cycle and cytokinesis.