Honey bee (Apis mellifera) wing images: a tool for identification and conservation.

Background: The honey bee (Apis mellifera) is an ecologically and economically important species that provides pollination services to natural and agricultural systems. The biodiversity of the honey bee in parts of its native range is endangered by migratory beekeeping and commercial breeding. In consequence, some honey bee populations that are well adapted to the local environment are threatened with extinction.

Honey bee populations of the USA display restrictions in their mtDNA haplotype diversity.

The genetic diversity of the USA honey bee ( L.) populations was examined through a molecular approach using two mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) markers. A total of 1,063 samples were analyzed for the mtDNA intergenic region located between the cytochrome oxidase I and II (COI-COII) and 401 samples were investigated for the NADH dehydrogenase 2 (ND2) coding gene.

Population Structure and Diversity in European Honey Bees ( L.)-An Empirical Comparison of Pool and Individual Whole-Genome Sequencing.

Background: Whole-genome sequencing has become routine for population genetic studies. Sequencing of individuals provides maximal data but is rather expensive and fewer samples can be studied. In contrast, sequencing a pool of samples (pool-seq) can provide sufficient data, while presenting less of an economic challenge.

Authoritative subspecies diagnosis tool for European honey bees based on ancestry informative SNPs.

Background: With numerous endemic subspecies representing four of its five evolutionary lineages, Europe holds a large fraction of Apis mellifera genetic diversity. This diversity and the natural distribution range have been altered by anthropogenic factors. The conservation of this natural heritage relies on the availability of accurate tools for subspecies diagnosis.

Molecular detection and phylogenetic assessment of six honeybee viruses in L. colonies in Bulgaria.

Honey bee colonies suffer from various pathogens, including honey bee viruses. About 24 viruses have been reported so far. However, six of them are considered to cause severe infection which inflicts heavy losses on beekeeping.

Iodine and Pregnancy-A Qualitative Study Focusing on Dietary Guidance and Information.

Iodine is essential for thyroid hormones synthesis and normal neurodevelopment; however, ~60% of pregnant women do not meet the WHO (World Health Organization) recommended intake. Using a qualitative design, we explored the perceptions, awareness, and experiences of pregnancy nutrition, focusing on iodine. Women in the perinatal period ( = 48) were interviewed and filled in a food frequency questionnaire for iodine.

The first report of the prevalence of in Bulgaria.

and are the two main microsporidian parasites causing nosematosis in the honey bee . The aim of the present study is to investigate the presence of and in the area of Bulgaria. The 16S (SSU) rDNA gene region was chosen for analysis.

Emergence of Seaweed and Seaweed-Containing Foods in the UK: Focus on Labeling, Iodine Content, Toxicity and Nutrition.

Seaweed (edible algae) is not a staple food in the Western diet, despite occasional use as a traditional ingredient in coastal areas. High nutritional value, combined with the expansion of the health-food industry, has led to a resurgence of seaweed in the British diet. While seaweed could be useful in tackling dietary iodine insufficiency, consumption of some species and sources of seaweed has also been associated with risks, such as toxicity from high iodine levels, or accumulation of arsenic, heavy metals and contaminants.

Polar tube protein gene diversity among Nosema ceranae strains derived from a Greek honey bee health study.

Honey bee samples from 54 apiaries originating from 37 geographic locations of Greece were screened for Nosema apis and Nosema ceranae. Furthermore 15 samples coming from 12 geographic locations were screened also for Paenibacilluslarvae and Melissococcus plutonius and seven honey bee virus species, for the first time on a nation-wide level. There was a tendency in finding proportionally higher spore counts in samples from apiaries that suffered important colony losses.

Genetic structure of Marchalina hellenica (Hemiptera: Margarodidae) populations from Turkey: preliminary mtDNA sequencing data.

The scale insect Marchalina hellenica (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Margarodidae) contributes to the production of pine honey in Turkey and Greece via the honeydew excreted when it feeds on pine trees. Although it is an insect of prime economic importance, there is no information on its genetic structure. Preliminary data were obtained based on sequencing analysis of 12s rDNA and COI mtDNA gene segments from samples from four areas of Turkey.