Genetic past, present, and future of the honey bee (Apis mellifera) in the United States of America

Abstract Humans have domesticated hundreds of animal and plant species for thousands years. Artwork, archeological finds, recorded accounts, other primary sources can provide glimpses into the historic management practices used over course a given species’ domestication history. Pairing data with newly available genomic allow us to identify where how were moved out their native ranges, gene flow may occurred between distantly related populations, quantify selection drift each contributed levels genetic diversity. Intersecting these approaches has greatly improved our understanding many managed species; however, there yet be thorough review in insect. Here, we archival history honey bees introduced mainland United States reconstruct comprehensive importation We find that since 1622, at least nine bee subspecies imported from four five lineages distributed en masse across country. Many genotypes evidence persisting today segregate non-randomly However, population comparisons on nationwide scale are not feasible because gaps records. conclude by suggesting future avenues research both fields.