Phokasem, P. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2025

A TaqMan Assay That Knows Its Mite: Specific Detection of Tropilaelaps mercedesae Clade I

Tropilaelaps mercedesae (Mesostigmata: Laelapidae), an invasive mite native to Southeast Asia, is spreading rapidly due to global bee trade and climate change. Its detection in Eastern Europe raises concerns about its entry into the EU. As a notifiable parasite under EU Animal Health Law, early and reliable detection is essential. We developed a sensitive TaqMan assay targeting the cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, using synthetic double-stranded DNA fragments (gBlocks). This assay enables rapid, specific, and scalable detection of T. mercedesae Clade I.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2019

Whole Genome Sequencing and Assembly of the Asian Honey Bee Apis dorsata

The Asian honey bee (Apis dorsata) is distinct from its more widely distributed cousin A. mellifera by a few key characteristics. Most prominently, A. dorsata, nest in the open by forming a colony clustered around the honeycomb, while A. mellifera nest in concealed cavities. Additionally, the worker and reproductive castes are all of the same size in A. dorsata. In order to investigate these differences, we performed whole genome sequencing of A. dorsata using a hybrid Oxford Nanopore and Illumina approach. The 223MB genome has an N50 of 35kb with the largest scaffold of 302kb. We have found that there are many genes in the dorsata genome that are distinct from other hymenoptera and also large amounts of transposable elements, and we suggest some candidate genes for A. dorsatas exceptional level of defensive aggression.

genomics↗