Caracterização molecular de rainhas Apis mellifera L. africanizadas produtoras de geleia real com o uso de marcadores nucleares e mitocondriais

Abstract

The introduction of Apis mellifera scutellata in Brazil in 1956 originated poly-hybrids denominated Africanized honeybees Apis mellifera. Africanized honeybees have spread rapidly, due to its high adaptability, breeding behavior, foraging and defensiveness. In this study we evaluated the genetic variability of loci markers mrjp3 and mrjp5, in worker honeybees of A. mellifera hives coming from the breeding program for the production of royal jelly. Were also used molecular markers of mitochondrial DNA, to verify the maternal origin of those workers, and also to identify possible markers. Workers of eight hives producers of royal jelly from FEI/UEM were collected. After isolation of total DNA, analysis were performed for molecular markers MRJPs (major proteins of royal jelly) of nuclear DNA and, PCR-RFLP markers for mtDNA (mitochondrial DNA). The loci mrjp3 and mrjp5 continue polymorphic, with the predominance of genotype DE for the locus mrjp3 and genotype DD for the locus mrjp5. In the queens, these alleles are preserved after seven years of analysis of genetic parameters and selection, showing that have a role in the production of royal jelly. Restriction patterns were identified in order to find African and European A. mellifera mitotypes. The absence of restriction sites with the enzymes Bgl II to Cytochrome b (Cyt b); Xba I and Hinc II to Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI); Xba I to Cytochrome Oxidase I and II (COI-COII) and Eco RI, to Large Ribosomal Subunit (16S), indicate the African pattern. The restriction pattern Alu I to 16S was determined by comparative analysis, as being European. The detected mitotypes allowed to assume the African pattern of queens producing royal jelly, but no mitotype can be used as a marker for the production of royal jelly.