Genetic Parameters of Honey Bee Colonies Traits in a Canadian Selection Program
Genetic selection has led to spectacular advances in animal production in many domestic species. However, it is still little applied to honey bees (<i>Apis mellifera</i>), whose complex genetic and reproductive characteristics are a challenge to model statistically. Advances in informati...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2020-09-01
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| Series: | Insects |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/11/9/587 |
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| author | Ségolène Maucourt Frédéric Fortin Claude Robert Pierre Giovenazzo |
| author_facet | Ségolène Maucourt Frédéric Fortin Claude Robert Pierre Giovenazzo |
| author_sort | Ségolène Maucourt |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Genetic selection has led to spectacular advances in animal production in many domestic species. However, it is still little applied to honey bees (<i>Apis mellifera</i>), whose complex genetic and reproductive characteristics are a challenge to model statistically. Advances in informatics now enable creation of a statistical model consistent with honey bee genetics, and, consequently, genetic selection for this species. The aim of this project was to determine the genetic parameters of several traits important for Canadian beekeepers with a view to establishing a breeding program in a northern context. Our results show that the five traits measured (<i>Varroa destructor</i> infestation, spring development, honey production, winter consumption, and hygienic behavior) are heritable. Thus, the rate of <i>V. destructor</i> infestation has a high heritability (<i>h</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.44 ± 0.56), spring development and honey production have a medium heritability (respectively, <i>h</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.30 ± 0.14 and <i>h</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.20 ± 0.13), and winter consumption and hygienic behavior have a low heritability (respectively, <i>h</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.11 ± 0.09 and <i>h</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.18 ± 0.13). Furthermore, the genetic correlations between these traits are all positive or null, except between hygienic behavior and <i>V. destructor</i> infestation level. These genetic parameters will be instrumental to the development of a selection index that will be used to improve the capacity of honey bees to thrive in northern conditions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T16:39:32Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2c67fbe6011047b8882aa225ee95b45b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-4450 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T16:39:32Z |
| publishDate | 2020-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Insects |
| spelling | doaj.art-2c67fbe6011047b8882aa225ee95b45b2023-11-20T12:08:14ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502020-09-0111958710.3390/insects11090587Genetic Parameters of Honey Bee Colonies Traits in a Canadian Selection ProgramSégolène Maucourt0Frédéric Fortin1Claude Robert2Pierre Giovenazzo3Department of Biology, Vachon Pavillon, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, CanadaCentre de Développement du porc du Québec, 450-2590 Boulevard Laurier, Québec, QC G1V 4M6, CanadaDepartment of Animal Science, Institut sur la Nutrition et les Aliments Fonctionnels, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, CanadaDepartment of Biology, Vachon Pavillon, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, CanadaGenetic selection has led to spectacular advances in animal production in many domestic species. However, it is still little applied to honey bees (<i>Apis mellifera</i>), whose complex genetic and reproductive characteristics are a challenge to model statistically. Advances in informatics now enable creation of a statistical model consistent with honey bee genetics, and, consequently, genetic selection for this species. The aim of this project was to determine the genetic parameters of several traits important for Canadian beekeepers with a view to establishing a breeding program in a northern context. Our results show that the five traits measured (<i>Varroa destructor</i> infestation, spring development, honey production, winter consumption, and hygienic behavior) are heritable. Thus, the rate of <i>V. destructor</i> infestation has a high heritability (<i>h</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.44 ± 0.56), spring development and honey production have a medium heritability (respectively, <i>h</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.30 ± 0.14 and <i>h</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.20 ± 0.13), and winter consumption and hygienic behavior have a low heritability (respectively, <i>h</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.11 ± 0.09 and <i>h</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.18 ± 0.13). Furthermore, the genetic correlations between these traits are all positive or null, except between hygienic behavior and <i>V. destructor</i> infestation level. These genetic parameters will be instrumental to the development of a selection index that will be used to improve the capacity of honey bees to thrive in northern conditions.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/11/9/587heritabilityhoney beeselectiongenetic correlationbreeding program |
| spellingShingle | Ségolène Maucourt Frédéric Fortin Claude Robert Pierre Giovenazzo Genetic Parameters of Honey Bee Colonies Traits in a Canadian Selection Program Insects heritability honey bee selection genetic correlation breeding program |
| title | Genetic Parameters of Honey Bee Colonies Traits in a Canadian Selection Program |
| title_full | Genetic Parameters of Honey Bee Colonies Traits in a Canadian Selection Program |
| title_fullStr | Genetic Parameters of Honey Bee Colonies Traits in a Canadian Selection Program |
| title_full_unstemmed | Genetic Parameters of Honey Bee Colonies Traits in a Canadian Selection Program |
| title_short | Genetic Parameters of Honey Bee Colonies Traits in a Canadian Selection Program |
| title_sort | genetic parameters of honey bee colonies traits in a canadian selection program |
| topic | heritability honey bee selection genetic correlation breeding program |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/11/9/587 |
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