Mitochondrial variation and genetic differentiation in honey bees (Apis cerana, A. koschevnikovi and A. dorsata) of Borneo

Abstract

To clarify the present state of genetic differentiation among local honey bees (Apis cerana, A. koschevnikovi and A. dorsata) living in Borneo, we conducted phylogenetic analyses of specimens using the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) sequences. The results confirmed previous findings that genetic differentiation among local groups of A. koschevnikovi was much greater than among A. cerana and A. dorsata. Moreover, the phylogeographic analysis divided A. koschevnikovi into three distinct groups in the areas studied, which contrasts with the current biogeographic divisions of Borneo. In addition, a past colonization of A. cerana from Java to the southern part of Kalimantan was suggested.