Rapid transformation of traditional beekeeping and colony marketing erode genetic differentiation in Apis mellifera simensis, Ethiopia

Abstract Subsistent beekeeping has been an established tradition in Tigray, northern Ethiopia. In the last two decades, extension efforts tried to transform it into improved apiculture, which led development of colony marketing. Here, we assessed progress beekeeping, marketing, and population differentiation with a hypothesis that might have supported both production genetic conservation accordance national apiculture proclamation. Progress was analyzed based on official annual reports from 2004 2020. addition, market survey conducted one central markets analyze spatial agro-ecological zone (AEZ) distributions honey bees, driving factors, implications by interviewing 120 sellers buyers. Moreover, highland lowland bee compared areas (not-) involved marketing using nuclear marker known for elevational adaptation. The regional progressed substantially: frame hives grew 1 23%, tripled, managed colonies increased 90%. Frame provided significantly ( F = 88.8, P < 0.001) higher yield than local hives. Colonies were exchanged between actors significant differences X 2 104.56, 0.01) AEZ 6.27, 0.044) distributions. originate mainly districts re-distributed broader areas. Most buyers showed preferences color (73.3%) origin (88.3%), one-way flow. Consequently, no detected contrasting elevations involving district not area ST 0.22). Overall, significantly, but there is evidence contributed conservation.