Genetic diversity of Melipona mandacaia, Smith 1863 in natural and rational breeding populations

The diversity and genetic structure of natural and rational breeding populations of Melipona mandacaia in the city of Petrolina-PE-Brazil is analysed in this study. Worker bees from four different locations in the city were genotyped with four inter-simple sequence repeats molecular genetic markers. The presence and absence of DNA fragments were converted into binary characters using Microsoft Excel software. The data were analysed using the programs GenAlEx and POPGENE. Thirty two DNA fragments were amplified, and a polymorphism of 81.25% of these fragments was detected. The polymorphic information content of the markers ranged from 0.46 to 0.49. This study examines the genetic diversity of artificial and natural populations of M. mandacaia. The data found in this work may help meliponiculturists with information for better management of artificial populations of Manda & ccedil;aia and, consequently, help in the conservation of this species.