A worldwide survey of genome sequence variation provides insight into the evolutionary history of the honeybee Apis mellifera.

Bibliographic Collection: 
APE
Publication Type: Journal Article
Authors: Wallberg, Andreas; Han, Fan; Wellhagen, Gustaf; Dahle, Bjørn; Kawata, Masakado; Haddad, Nizar; Simões, Zilá Luz Paulino; Allsopp, Mike H; Kandemir, Irfan; De la Rúa, Pilar; Pirk, Christian W; Webster, Matthew T
Year of Publication: 2014
Journal: Nat Genet
Volume: 46
Issue: 10
Pagination: 1081-8
Date Published: 2014 Oct
Publication Language: eng
ISSN: 1546-1718
Keywords: Adaptation, Physiological, Animals, Bees, Cluster Analysis, DNA Methylation, Evolution, Molecular, Gene Expression, Genes, Insect, Genetic Variation, Genome, Genotype, Geography, Insect Proteins, Linkage Disequilibrium, Phylogeny, Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide, Selection, Genetic, Sequence Analysis, DNA
Abstract:

The honeybee Apis mellifera has major ecological and economic importance. We analyze patterns of genetic variation at 8.3 million SNPs, identified by sequencing 140 honeybee genomes from a worldwide sample of 14 populations at a combined total depth of 634×. These data provide insight into the evolutionary history and genetic basis of local adaptation in this species. We find evidence that population sizes have fluctuated greatly, mirroring historical fluctuations in climate, although contemporary populations have high genetic diversity, indicating the absence of domestication bottlenecks. Levels of genetic variation are strongly shaped by natural selection and are highly correlated with patterns of gene expression and DNA methylation. We identify genomic signatures of local adaptation, which are enriched in genes expressed in workers and in immune system- and sperm motility-related genes that might underlie geographic variation in reproduction, dispersal and disease resistance. This study provides a framework for future investigations into responses to pathogens and climate change in honeybees.

DOI: 10.1038/ng.3077
Alternate Journal: Nat. Genet.