Investigation of bio-diversity, conservation and improvement methods as genetic resource based on the mtDNA, morphometric, behaviour and colony development traits in honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) populations of Mediterranean region

The study was conducted using ninety-six honeybee representing eight different location of Mediterranean Region (Adana, Mersin, Kahramanmaras, Hatay, Osmaniye, Kilis, Balcali I and Balcali II) (8x12) for three years. Honeybee colonies were obtained from constant beekeeper. Biometric measurements were carried out on twenty-six different morphological characters of five samples from each of colonies. Hygienic, performance and behaviour properties of colonies were evaluated. Intergenic region COI–COII of mtDNA (PCR method), morphometric characteristics, ten different behaviour and performance properties (collection of nectar, flight activity, development of adult bees, brood development, effect of incubation, aggresiveress, hygienic behaviour, honey yield, colony's ability to survive the winter wintering and colony survival) and annual genetic progress features of each sample taken from 96 colony were also investigated. Initial colonies were investigated in the first year of the experiment, whilst F1 genotypes were sampled for the second and third year of experiment. The study results showed that there were statistically significant differences in morphological, hygienic and performance properties among genotypes. However, mtDNA analysis confirmed the differences between only two colony of the 96 colonies, although the remaining colonies had similar intergenic region COI–COII.