Genetic research of the honey bee Apis mellifera L. at Tomsk State University

The honey bee Apis mellifera L. is one of the most studied insect species worldwide due to its ecological and economic importance. The honey bee was introduced into Siberia 240 years ago. It has adapted well to local natural conditions and vegetation. The first scientific research on the honey bee was carried out at Tomsk University, opened in 1888. Systematic research of the honey bee, including genetic studies, has been carried out at Tomsk University since 2004, when the scientific and practical center "Apis" was created. Various aspects of the honey bee are studied: biological and genetic diversity, biological and economic signs of colonies, morbidity, honey resources, etc. This article is a brief overview of scientific research and achievements in the biology and genetics of the honey bee, carried out at TSU, as well as the prospects for their implementation in beekeeping practice. Morphometric and mtDNA analysis showed that most bee colonies are hybrids between the dark forest bee and the southern bee subspecies. In Siberia, there are populations of the dark forest bee (Ob and Yenisei populations). According to the analysis of mtDNA and microsatellite loci, Siberian populations are the Apis mellifera mellifera Siberian ecotype, which differs from the dark forest bee of the Ural and European populations. An assessment of the adaptive potential (ecological and genetic characteristics) of bee colonies of the Ob and Yenisei populations showed their high viability and productivity in different regions of Siberia. These colonies were the basis of the breeding core in the A. m. mellifera bee farm. When breeding dark forest bees, we use both classical selection methods and introduce molecular selection. We are the first to identify microsatellite markers that can be used to predict Nosema disease in the dark forest bee. To select A. m. mellifera colonies that are highly productive for royal jelly, we use the mrjp3 microsatellite locus, localized within the gene encoding the main royal jelly proteins (marker-associated selection). Research conducted at Tomsk State University contributes to the preservation of Siberian populations and the gene pool of the dark forest bee, the development of the best signs of bee colonies through further selection and the creation of highly productive lines. The article contains 19 References. The Author declares no conflict of interest.