Genetic aspects of morphometric traits and reproductive organs of africanized honey bee drones, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Abstract

This study was carried out from October 2013 to April 2014 at the Federal University of Technology, Campus of Dois Vizinhos in the Paraná state of Brazil. The objective was to estimate the genetic parameters of morphometric traits, reproductive organs, and the genetic correlation between morphometric traits and reproductive organs of drones at maturity. In order to achieve this, a single-trait and two trait models were used. Two distinct fixed effects were considered; the hives where drones were kept from emergence until maturity, and the yearly time. A total of 329 drones were observed from 6 matrices. The main results showed that, honey bee drones had an average weight of 202.81 ± 17.84 mg at maturity. The average body measurements in mm gave the following values: total length (15.39 ± 0.74), length of abdomen (7.69 ± 0.68), width of abdomen (5.48 ± 0.29), length of wing (12.40 ± 0.66), and width of wing (3.83 ± 0.30). The average weight, area, and volume of seminal vesicle were respectively, 1.80 ± 1.9 mg, 8.60 ± 2.92 mm2, and 6.65 ± 3.31 mm3. The average weight, area, and volume of mucus gland were respectively, 12.60 ± 1.9 mg, 25.45 ± 8.59 mm2, and 37.84 ± 18.12 mm3. Heritability of traits ranged from 0.22 to 0.74. Genetic correlations between morphometric traits and reproductive organs ranged from -0.99 to 0.18. All these characteristics considered suggest that honey bee drones constitute a natural resource with genetic variability needed for genetic improvement by conventional tools such as selection and breeding.