Population Genomic Insights into Genetic Differentiation and Environmental Adaptation of the Asian Honey Bee (Apis cerana) in Sichuan, China.
- 1College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China.
- 2Sichuan Provincial Animal Husbandry Master Station, Chengdu 610041, China.
Abstract
The Asian honey bee (Apis cerana) is a key native pollinator in Asia, contributing substantially to both natural and agricultural ecosystems. However, climate change and human activities increasingly threaten its pollination services and long-term survival. Understanding patterns of genetic differentiation and local adaptation is therefore essential for protecting native populations. Sichuan Province in China, with its complex mountains, deep valleys, and pronounced climatic heterogeneity, offers an excellent natural laboratory for studying these processes in A. cerana. We collected 139 worker bees from 22 locations across Sichuan and generated whole-genome resequencing data. By integrating these data with genomes from eight well-established subspecies, we show that bees from Xinlong, Jiuzhaigou, and Kangding form three genetically differentiated populations that are distinct from all known subspecies. These populations display moderate to high genetic differentiation and unique demographic histories relative to previously described subspecies. Selective-sweep analyses further identified 200-300 candidate genes under positive selection in each population. These genes are enriched in functions related to chemical sensing, flight musculature, cell-cycle regulation, osmotic balance, and stress response, consistent with adaptation to patchy nectar resources, a short spring reproductive window, and large diurnal temperature swings. Our findings uncover three previously unrecognized genetic resources of A. cerana and provide genomic insights into their local adaptation, offering a valuable foundation for conservation and breeding programs.
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BibTeX
@article{xu2026population,
title = {{Population Genomic Insights into Genetic Differentiation and Environmental Adaptation of the Asian Honey Bee (Apis cerana) in Sichuan, China.}},
author = {Xiangcheng Xu and Dingyuan Ma and Bingrong Liu and Mingxian Yang and Kang Lai and Jiandong Yang},
journal = {Insects},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/insects17101022},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42940932},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Population Genomic Insights into Genetic Differentiation and Environmental Adaptation of the Asian Honey Bee (Apis cerana) in Sichuan, China.
AU - Xiangcheng Xu
AU - Dingyuan Ma
AU - Bingrong Liu
AU - Mingxian Yang
AU - Kang Lai
AU - Jiandong Yang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/03
JO - Insects
DO - 10.3390/insects17101022
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42940932
AB - The Asian honey bee (Apis cerana) is a key native pollinator in Asia, contributing substantially to both natural and agricultural ecosystems. However, climate change and human activities increasingly threaten its pollination services and long-term survival. Understanding patterns of genetic differentiation and local adaptation is therefore essential for protecting native populations. Sichuan Province in China, with its complex mountains, deep valleys, and pronounced climatic heterogeneity, offers an excellent natural laboratory for studying these processes in A. cerana. We collected 139 worker bees from 22 locations across Sichuan and generated whole-genome resequencing data. By integrating these data with genomes from eight well-established subspecies, we show that bees from Xinlong, Jiuzhaigou, and Kangding form three genetically differentiated populations that are distinct from all known subspecies. These populations display moderate to high genetic differentiation and unique demographic histories relative to previously described subspecies. Selective-sweep analyses further identified 200-300 candidate genes under positive selection in each population. These genes are enriched in functions related to chemical sensing, flight musculature, cell-cycle regulation, osmotic balance, and stress response, consistent with adaptation to patchy nectar resources, a short spring reproductive window, and large diurnal temperature swings. Our findings uncover three previously unrecognized genetic resources of A. cerana and provide genomic insights into their local adaptation, offering a valuable foundation for conservation and breeding programs.
SN - 2075-4450
ER -