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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Baton Rouge, Louisiana » Honey Bee Lab » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #297615
Title: Molecular genetic analysis of tracheal mite resistance of colonies and individual honey bees

Author
item Bilodeau, Lanie
item Villa, Joseph
item Holloway, Beth
item Danka, Robert
item Rinderer, Thomas

Submitted to: Journal of Apicultural Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/9/2014
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Honey bee resistance to the potentially damaging parasitic tracheal mite is known to be mediated by autogrooming. During autogrooming bees use their midlegs to remove migrating foundress mites, thereby reducing infestation rates in their trachea. We investigated the relationship between markers identified by genetic marker (SNP) association and variation in average colony infestation rates, and in individual bees. We identified a genetic interval that may be related to resistance and discuss potential candidate genes coded from the region. Three genes, ionotropic glutamate receptor (iGluR), tyrosine hydroxylase (TyHyd) and Gemin3, are involved in primarily neural pathways and may impact autogrooming. These genes have the potential for development of marker-assisted selection to improve tracheal mite resistance.

Technical Abstract: Honey bee resistance to the potentially damaging parasitic tracheal mite is known to be mediated by autogrooming. During autogrooming bees use their midlegs to remove migrating foundress mites, thereby reducing infestation rates in their trachea. We investigated the relationship between markers identified by SNP association and variation in average colony infestation rates, and in individual bees. We identified a genetic interval that may confer resistance and postulate on potential candidate genes coded from the region. Three genes, ionotropic glutamate receptor (iGluR), tyrosine hydroxylase (TyHyd) and Gemin3, are involved in primarily neural pathways and may impact autogrooming. Inability to validate marker segregation with infestation phenotype in a generally managed population with clear but small differences in tracheal mite resistance shows that SNPs or other genetic markers cannot necessarily be presumed to be functional for marker-assisted selection (MAS). Confirmation and development of putative markers for MAS involves numerous steps including fine mapping and genomic and functional analysis of the region of interest.