Comparison of pure caucasian, carniolan and native anatolian ecotype honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies in the eastern anatolia region with reciprocal F1 hybrids

Cengiz Erkan; Veysel Serkan Günbey; Belgin Günbey; Fırat Cengiz

doi:10.14393/BJ-v40n0a2024-68555

Authors

Cengiz Erkan Van Yüzüncü Yıl University https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3510-2800
Veysel Serkan Günbey Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Belgin Günbey Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Fırat Cengiz Van Yüzüncü Yıl University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14393/BJ-v40n0a2024-68555

Keywords:

Apis mellifera caucasica, Apis mellifera carnica, Apis mellifera anatoliaca, Colony Performance, F1 Crosses.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare specific physiological and behavioral characteristics of A. m. caucasica, A. m. carnica, and native honeybees, as well as reciprocal crosses, within the ecological conditions of East Anatolia (Van province), Turkey. The findings revealed that native honeybees exhibited the highest average sealed brood area and the highest average number of frames with bees. In contrast, the highest average honey yield was observed in the crossbreeding of Carniolan bees with native bees. Significant differences were identified among the groups concerning brood area, the number of bee frames, aggression tendency, and honey yield. The study concluded that Carniolan and Caucasian bees exhibited suboptimal performance outside their native habitats. Nevertheless, Carniolan bees were identified as a viable option for mitigating aggression tendencies and enhancing honey yield in native bee populations.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

ABACI, S. H. and BIYIK, S. A Model for Determining the Interactions Between some Honey Bee (Apis mellifera L.) Genotypes and Different Grooming Times in Terms of Aggression. Turkish Journal of Agriculture-Food Science and Technology. 2021, 9(2), 446-451. https://doi.org/10.24925/turjaf.v9i2.446-451.4230

ACAR, M.K. and KEKEÇOĞLU, M. Is the natural honey bee biodiversity of Anatolia in the process of extinction? Yuzuncu Yıl University Journal of Agricultural Sciences. 2020, 30(3), 593-600. https://doi.org/10.29133/yyutbd.708186

AKYOL, E., et al. Comparison of colony performances of Anatolian, Caucasian and Carniolan honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) genotypes in temperate climate conditions. Italian Journal of Animal Science. 2014, 13(3), 637-640. https://doi.org/10.4081/ijas.2014.3409

ARSLAN, O.C. A Preliminary Study for the Application of ISSR Markers to Discriminate Honey Bee (Apis mellifera L.) Populations in Turkey. Bee Studies. 2020, 12(2), 43-47. http://doi.org/10.51458/BSTD.2021.8

ARSLAN, S., GULER, A. and CAM, H. Determining of the wintering ability and honey production of different honey bees genotypes in Tokat conditions. Journal of Agricultural Faculty of Gaziosmanpasa University. 2004, 21, 85-90.

https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/gopzfd/issue/7345/96100

BOUGA, M., et al. A review of methods for discrimination of honey bee populations as applied to European beekeeping. Journal of Apicultural Research, 2011, 50(1), 51-84. https://doi.org/10.3896/IBRA.1.50.1.06

CENGİZ, M.M. and ERDOĞAN, Y. Comparison of Wintering Ability and Colony Performances of Different Honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) Genotypes in Eastern Anatolian/Turkey Conditions. Kafkas Universitesi Veteriner Fakultesi Dergisi. 2017, 23(6), 865-870. https://doi.org/10.9775/kvfd.2017.17667

CENGİZ, M.M. and ERDOĞAN, Y. Determination of Behavioural Characteristics of Different Honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) Genotypes in Eastern Aatolian Conditions. Turkish Journal of Agriculture-Food Science and Technology. 2018, 6(1), 97-101. https://doi.org/10.24925/turjaf.v6i1.97-101.1539

COLLISON, C. Honey Bee Races. Bee Culture. 2023, January 2023. Available from: https://www.beeculture.com/a-closer-look-27/

DOGAROGLU, M., OZDER, M. and POLAT, C. The comparison of the performances of important honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) in Turkey races and ecotypes in Thrace conditions. Doga-Turkish Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences. 1992, 16, 403-414.

DOLGIEVA, Z.M., et al. Effect of bees’ welfare on the development and productive qualities of honeybee colonies of various breeds in the Republic of Ingushetia. International Conference on World Technological Trends in Agribusiness. 2021, 624, 012136. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/624/1/012136

FRUNZE, O., et al. Beekeeping Genetic Resources and Retrieval of Honey Bee Apis mellifera L. Stock in the Russian Federation: A Review. Insects. 2021, 12(8), 684. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12080684

GENCER, H.V. and KARACAOGLU, M. The brood rearing activities and honey productions of Caucasian race (Apis mellifera caucasica) and reciprocal crosses of Caucasian and Aegean ecotype of Anatolian honey bee (Apis mellifera anatoliaca) in Aegean conditions. Yuzuncu Yil University Journal Of Agricultural Sciences. 2003, 13(1), 61-65.

GUICHARD, M., et al. 2023. An overview of selection concepts applied to honey bees. Bee World. 2023, 2023, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1080/0005772X.2022.2147702

GÜLER, A. and KAFTANOĞLU, O. Determination of Performances Some Important Races and Ecotypes of Turkish Honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) Under Migratory Beekeeping Conditions. Turkish Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences. 1999, 23(9), 577-581.

ILYASOV, R.A., et al. A revision of subspecies structure of western honey bee Apis mellifera. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences. 2020, 27(12), 3615-3621. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2020.08.001

KAKHRAMANOV, B., et al. Breeding indicators of Carniolan (Apis mellifera carnica pollm) and Carpathy (Apis mellifera carpatica) honey bee. E3S Web of Conferences, 2021, 244, 02008. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202124402008

KAMBUR, M. and KEKEÇOĞLU, M. The current situation of Turkey Honey Bee (Apis mellifera L.). Biodiversity and Conservation. 2018, 11(1), 105-119. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.12203.54568

KARACA S., BULUT S. and TÜRKMEN F. Investigation of some land and soil properties by geographical information system analysis: Van province land and soil properties. Turkish Journal of Agricultural Research. 2019, 6(2), 199-205. https://doi.org/10.19159/tutad.542543

KEKEÇOĞLU., M., ÜNAL, E.Ö. and SOYSAL, M. İ. Genetic relationships of Thrace and Yığılca honey bee populations based on microsatellite structure. Turkish Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences. 2021, 45(6), 999-1009. https://doi.org/10.3906/vet-2103-12

KÜKRER, M., KENCE, M. and KENCE, A. Honey Bee Diversity Is Swayed by Migratory Beekeeping and Trade Despite Conservation Practices: Genetic Evidence for the Impact of Anthropogenic Factors on Population Structure. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. 2021, 9,556816. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2021.556816

OMAR, E.M. Anticipated Factors Affecting Extraction of Venom from Honey Bees colonies by Electrical Impulses. Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences (A. Entomology). 2020, 13(4), 213-220. https://doi.org/10.21608/eajbsa.2020.131013

ÖZKIRIM, A. Beekeeping in Turkey: Bridging Asia and Europe. Asian Beekeeping in the 21st Century. In: CHANTAWANNAKUL P., WILLIAMS G. and NEUMANN P., Eds. In book: Asian Beekeeping in the 21st Century, Springer, 2018, pp.41-69. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-8222-1

PATRICE, K., et al. Apis mellifera adansonii Is the Most Defensive Honeybee in Uganda. Psyche: A Journal of Entomology. 2018, 2018(2), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/4079587

RUTTNER, F. Biogeography and taxonomy of honeybees. 1988th ed. Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 1988.

SAS. 2020-Sas/Stat, Sas Institute Incorporation, Cary, NC (USA).

SVISTUNOV, S.V., et al. Selection of Bees of the Gray Mountain Caucasian Breed: Apis mellifera caucasica L. of the Krasnaya Polyana Type. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research. 2018, 10(12), 3185-3188.

TUIK. 2020. The Turkish Statistical Institute. Available from: https://data.tuik.gov.tr/Kategori/GetKategori?p=tarim-111&dil=1

TUNÇ, M. A., et al. The Effects of Supplemental Feeding with Sodium Humate on The Performance of Honey Bee Colonies (Apis mellifera L.). Uludag Bee Journal. 2020, 20(2), 181-188. https://doi.org/10.31467/uluaricilik.793952

ÜNALAN, A. and AKYOL, E. The Comparison of Different Honey Bee Genotypes by Some Biochemical Parameters (Total Protein, Total RNA, Catalase and Malondialdehyde). Turkish Journal of Agriculture-Food Science and Technology. 2021, 9(4), 829-836. https://doi.org/10.24925/turjaf.v9i4.829-836.4274