A preliminary molecular study on the haplotypes of Varroa destructor in Turkey

Abstract

Varroosis is one of the most important diseases of honeybees. Four species, Varroa jacobsoni, Varroa destructor, Varroa underwoodi and Varroa rindereri are present in the genus of Varroa, the most prevalent one being V. destructor. V. destructor has different haplotypes which have different pathogenic effects on the honeybees. Korean (K) haplotype is more prevalent and pathogenic than the Japanese (J) haplotype. The aim of this study was to determine the haplotypes of V. destructor in Turkey. Female mites from ten different provinces of Turkey were examined. After DNA extraction partial sequences of mitochondrial COX1 gene was amplified with PCR and subsequently sequenced. At the conclusion of molecular and phylogenetic analysis, we determined that all isolates were identical to each other and corresponded with the K haplotype of V. destructor, with 100% identity. This study supports preliminary data regarding the haplotypes of V. destructor from Ankara, Cankiri, Corum, Elazig, Kirsehir, Kirikkale, Hakkari, Hatay, Samsun and Tekirdag provinces of Turkey. Considering that Turkey is a bridge between Asia, Europe and Africa, more detailed studies should be conducted for the determination of different haplotypes or variants of V. destructor.