Additive and Heterotic Genetic Effects in the Haplo-diploid Honeybee Apis Mellifera

Abstract

Nine lines of honeybees were used to form a 9 x 9 partial diallel cross. Hamuli number was determined for samples of worker offspring. One set of workers was reared in non-maternal colonies which had been made uniform, as far as possible, with respect to colony strength (number of workers), while another set was sampled directly from the combs of each maternal colony. Combining ability analysis of variance revealed significant additive and non-additive genetic effects for both sets of data, regardless of whether inbred parentals were included or excluded from the analysis. Uniform rearing removed average heterosis and reciprocal effects.