Genetic and morphometric variation in honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) populations of Turkey

Six enzyme systems were studied to determine the genetic variability in hon eybee populations in Turkey. Ten morphometric characters were also measured to determine the extent of morphometric variation. Out of six enzyme syste ms, four were found to be polymorphic with 16 allozymes. The average hetero zygosity was calculated as 0.072 +/- 0.007. Morphometric and electrophoreti c variables were equally effective in discriminating honeybee populations. European and Anatolian honeybees were separated on the first axis, and Anat olian honeybees were further separated along a second canonical axis. The o bservation of rare alleles in isoenzymes, detection of high genetic diversi ty and the presence of four known subspecies support the argument that Anat olia has been a genetic center for honeybee populations in the Near East.