Assessment of genetic variation in (Hymenoptera: Apidae) using Cytochrome Oxidase I gene sequences.

The Arabian Honeybee is endemic to the Arabian Peninsula. It is highly adapted to temperature extremes and drought dominating the region. In this study, the mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI) was analyzed in 133 specimens of A. m. jemenitica from eight localities along the Red Sea cost of Saudi Arabia. Results revealed 33 synonymous, and 6 non-synonymous mutations within the COI sequences, resulting in change of 4 amino acids. Phylogenetic analysis based on either type of mutations revealed two main haplogroups accounting for 94% of the samples. In total Eighteen new haplotypes were identified and uploaded in the genebank, Fourteen of them are restricted to one/both haplogroups. All haplotypes identified in this study clustered with reference COI sequences of the sub-lineag Z (African Lineage). However one Haplotype (MW428270) represents high COI variability compared to other haplotypes and may resemble different evolutionary sub-lineage. Tajima's Neutrality Test (Ps = 0.025; D = -1.5) indicated population size expansion that took place after selective sweep and/or purifying selection.