A microsatellite DNA toolkit for studying population structure in Apis mellifera.

We present a set of 18 microsatellite DNA markers that can be run in two multiplex polymerase chain reactions as standard tool for assessing molecular ecological problems in honeybees (Apis mellifera). In addition to a set of six unlinked loci testing for classical population genetic parameters, we present three sets of four tightly linked loci, each located on three different chromosomes. These linked markers are useful for determining the number of colonies in a population as well as the parentage of drones and workers. Moreover, the tool kit can test for various modes of natural selection in honeybee populations.