Human-mediated dispersal of Geniotrigona thoracica (Apidae: Meliponini) colonies promotes high genetic diversity and reduces population structuring in managed populations
1
Issued Date
2025-12-10
Resource Type
eISSN
21678359
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105032712466
Journal Title
Peerj
Volume
13
Start Page
1
End Page
25
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Peerj Vol.13 (2025) , 1-25
Suggested Citation
Duangphakdee O., Jeratthitikul E., Poolprasert P., Pongkitsittiporn R., Inson C., Rattanawannee A. Human-mediated dispersal of Geniotrigona thoracica (Apidae: Meliponini) colonies promotes high genetic diversity and reduces population structuring in managed populations. Peerj Vol.13 (2025) , 1-25. 25. doi:10.7717/peerj.20460 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/115779
Title
Human-mediated dispersal of Geniotrigona thoracica (Apidae: Meliponini) colonies promotes high genetic diversity and reduces population structuring in managed populations
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
The stingless bee Geniotrigona thoracica is a key managed pollinator in Southeast Asia, valued for its honey, propolis, and colony trade. In Thailand, frequent humanmediated movement of colonies raises concerns about its effects on genetic diversity and population structure.Weanalysed variation in mitochondrial (COI and 16S rRNA) and nuclear (five microsatellite loci) markers from 70 colonies sampled across 17 meliponaries in seven southern provinces. Microsatellite data revealed high genetic diversity and low nuclear differentiation (K D1; Fst D0.0024-0.1219; all P >0.05), with extensive gene flow (Nm D 3.60-207.83) among provinces. In contrast, mitochondrial markers indicated moderate-to-high differentiation (Fst D0.619), consistent with mitonuclear discordance arising from sex-biased. Managed colonies exhibited elevated heterozygosity and allelic richness, likely reflecting admixture from colony exchange, while unique haplotypes in certain provinces suggest introductions from external sources. Significant inbreeding was detected only in Yala, possibly linked to habitat loss and reduced effective population size. Our findings indicate that current meliponicultural practices maintain high genetic diversity in G. thoracica despite mitochondrial structuring, but increasing colony movement between genetically distinct populations may risk erosion of local adaptations, underscoring the need for genetic screening prior to translocation.