Data from: Population genetic structure of Bombus terrestris in Europe: isolation and genetic differentiation of Irish and British populations

The genetic structure of the earth bumblebee (Bombus terrestris L.) was examined across 22 wild populations and two commercially reared populations using eight microsatellite loci and two mitochondrial genes. Our study included wild bumblebee samples from six populations in Ireland, one from the Isle of Man, four from Britain and 11 from mainland Europe. A further sample was acquired from New Zealand. Observed levels of genetic variability and heterozygosity were low in Ireland and the Isle of Man, but relatively high in continental Europe and among commercial populations. Estimates of Fst revealed significant genetic differentiation among populations. Bayesian cluster analysis indicated that Irish populations were highly differentiated from British and continental populations, the latter two showing higher levels of admixture. The data suggest that the Irish Sea and prevailing south westerly winds act as a considerable geographical barrier to gene flow between populations in Ireland and Britain; however, some immigration from the Isle of Man to Ireland was detected. The results are discussed in the context of the recent commercialization of bumblebees for the European horticultural industry.

本研究采用8个微卫星位点（microsatellite loci）与2个线粒体基因，对欧洲熊蜂（Bombus terrestris L.）的遗传结构展开分析，共涵盖22个野生种群与2个商业化繁育种群。样本来源包括爱尔兰境内6个野生熊蜂种群、马恩岛1个种群、英国境内4个种群、欧洲大陆11个种群，另获取1个来自新西兰的种群样本。研究观测到，爱尔兰与马恩岛种群的遗传变异水平及杂合度均较低，而欧洲大陆种群与商业化繁育种群的该项指标相对较高。Fst的估算结果显示，种群间存在显著的遗传分化。贝叶斯聚类分析（Bayesian cluster analysis）表明，爱尔兰种群与英国及欧洲大陆种群的遗传分化程度极高，后二者的遗传混合水平更高。数据结果显示，爱尔兰海与盛行西南风对爱尔兰与英国种群间的基因流构成了显著的地理屏障，但同时也检测到存在从马恩岛向爱尔兰的基因迁入事件。本研究结合欧洲园艺产业熊蜂商业化繁育的最新进展，对上述结果进行了讨论。