Biology subjects

Uzunov, A.

Publications and source records attributed to Uzunov, A..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

First report on Tropilaelaps mercedesae presence in Turkiye and insight into potential westward invasion corridors

The honey bee ectoparasitic mite Tropilaelaps mercedesae is an emerging threat to Western beekeeping, as it is expanding its range from native Asia. In this study, the first record of the presence of Tropilaelaps mercedesae in Turkiye, in the Artvin province, in the north-east of the country is documented. Following reports of weakening colonies, eight apiaries were inspected using the rapid brood decapping method. All apiaries were found positive, and infestation was detected in 22 of 24 examined colonies. Mite samples were analysed with morphometry and barcoding and were confirmed as T. mercedesae. In the paper, we discuss the impact of imports and migration practices on the mites occurrence in Turkiye. In addition, we forecast the potential corridors and means of further invasion and address the implications for European and global apiculture.

pathology↗

bioRxiv2026

Conserved task-specific profiles outweigh seasonal shifts in cuticular hydrocarbons of European honey bee subspecies

Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are essential for insect waterproofing, yet how they change seasonally in social insects remains poorly understood. Due to its distinct seasonal worker phenotypes (summer and winter bees) and diverse subspecies, the western honey bee (Apis mellifera) is an ideal model to study seasonal CHC plasticity across populations with distinct local adaptations. We performed a common garden experiment to investigate the seasonal plasticity in CHC profiles across five European subspecies (A. m. carnica, A. m. iberiensis, A. m. ligustica, A. m. macedonica, A. m. ruttneri). We compared the CHC composition of workers performing tasks inside ("in-hive") or outside ("out-hive") the colony during summer and winter. Notably, out-hive workers consistently exhibited more waterproofing CHC profiles compared to in-hive workers, regardless of season or subspecies. The persistence of this stereotypical task-related differentiation in long-lived winter bees, which largely lack an age-based division of labor, indicates a robust, age-independent regulatory mechanism linked to the environment faced by the workers rather than a simple response to seasonal desiccation pressure. Moreover, we demonstrate CHC seasonal plasticity for the first time in honey bees. However, these seasonal shifts in hydrocarbon classes and chain length were not uniform; they varied across subspecies and critically depended on the task the workers performed.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2024

A scientific note on "Rapid brood decapping" - a method for assessment of honey bee (Apis mellifera) brood infestation with Tropilaelaps mercedesae

Tropilaelaps mercedesae is a parasitic mite species that negatively affects the health of the Apis mellifera colonies. Recent reports show that it is spreading westwards, through Central Asia into Europe. Several field and laboratory methods have been proposed to detect Tropilaelaps spp. in A. mellifera colonies; however, most of them are either laborious, costly or ineffective. Here we introduce a novel method for detecting T. mercedesae based on the mites characteristic biology (reduced feeding as bee pupae mature, brief dispersal phase on adult bees and agility) and the use of wax strips. Sealed worker brood cells at the development stage of white to purple-eyed pupae are swiftly decapped with wax strips to observe and count surfacing adult mites. Our study shows over 90 % detection efficacy and brood survival, and ease of application. Therefore, we recommend the novel "Rapid brood decapping" method as a reliable tool for detecting and monitoring T. mercedesae infestation.

zoology↗

bioRxiv2024

Deciphering the variation in cuticular hydrocarbon profiles of five European honey bee subspecies

The Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) subspecies exhibit local adaptive traits that evolved in response to the different environments that characterize their native distribution ranges. An important trait is the cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profile, which helps preventing desiccation and mediating communication. We compared the CHC profiles of six European subspecies (A. m. mellifera, A. m. carnica, A. m. ligustica, A. m. macedonica, A. m. iberiensis, and A. m. ruttneri) and investigated potential factors shaping their composition. We did not find evidence of adaptation of the CHC profiles of the subspecies to the climatic conditions in their distribution range. Subspecies-specific differences in CHC composition might be explained by phylogenetic constraints or genetic drift. The CHC profiles of foragers were more subspecies-specific than those of nurse bees, while the latter showed more variation in their CHC profiles, likely due to the lower desiccation stress exerted by the controlled environment inside the hive. The strongest profile differences appeared between nurse bees and foragers among all subspecies, suggesting an adaptation to social task and a role in communication. Foragers also showed an increase in the relative amount of alkanes in their profiles compared to nurses, indicating adaptation to climatic conditions.

evolutionary biology↗