Microsatellite-based genetic characterisation of honeybee populations from Bingöl

The conservation of endemic genetic resources is crucial for maintaining genetic diversity in animal production, particularly in honeybees, where preserving local adaptations is challenging. Türkiye’s rich flora, supported by diverse climates, fosters various honeybee races and ecotypes. Bingöl province, situated at the intersection of three phytogeographic regions, is a biodiversity hotspot and a key beekeeping center. Genetic characterization of 141 worker bees from five Bingöl locations, using 30 microsatellite loci, revealed 6.77% genetic variation among locations, 65.69% among individuals, and 27.54% overall. The population exhibited signs of a genetic bottleneck and deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Phylogenetic analysis distinguished the Bingöl honeybee population from other Turkish populations, representing five different honeybee genotypes: Muğla (Apis mellifera anatolica), Hatay (Apis mellifera syriaca), Kırklareli (Apis mellifera carnica), Artvin (Apis mellifera caucasica), and Düzce (Apis mellifera anatolica, Yığılca ecotype), revealing 18 specific alleles that may indicate local genetic distinctiveness.