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Title: Microsatellite loci for the small hive beetle, Aethina tumida, a nest parasite of honey bees.

Author
item Evans, Jay
item SPIEWOK, SEBASTIAN - UNIV. HALLE, GERMANY
item TEIXEIRA, ERICA - AGP/SAA-SP BRAZIL
item NEUMANN, PETER - SWISS BEE RSRCH, SWTZRLND

Submitted to: Molecular Ecology Notes
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/15/2007
Publication Date: 2/10/2008
Citation: Evans, J.D., Spiewok, S., Teixeira, E., Neumann, P. 2008. Microsatellite loci for the small hive beetle, Aethina tumida, a nest parasite of honey bees. Molecular Ecology Notes. 8:698-700.

Interpretive Summary: Small hive beetles are an important and regulated pest of honey bees. To determine the origins of small hive beetles into the United States and other countries, a set of precise molecular markers were described. These markers will also help to projects aimed at the basic biology of hive beetles and their abilities to rapidly find and exploit weakened honey bee colonies. This work should help regulatory officials seeking to limit movement of these pests, as well as scientists working on the biology and control of hive beetles.

Technical Abstract: Aethina tumida, a beetle parasite of honey bees, has recently and dramatically expanded its range and now parasitizes honey bees on three continents. Polymorphic microsatellite loci for this beetle species will help map this continuing range expansion, and will also prove useful for exploring the mating system and local gene flow patterns for this important parasite. We describe 16 loci that are polymorphic in both the native and introduced ranges of this species, showing from two to 22 alleles.