Thorough morphological and genetic evidence confirm the existence of the endemic honey bee of the Maltese Islands Apis mellifera ruttneri: recommendations for conservation

The status of Apis mellifera ruttneri, an endemic honey bee of the Maltese islands, was uncertain after a series of devastating Varroa mite infestations followed by ill-conceived replacement programs. Morphometric analysis, which was the method originally used to identify this honey bee subspecies, was carried out using 33 different parameters. Thirty-two colonies exhibiting morphometric data that corresponded to those in the original description of A. m. ruttneri were identified (p > 0.99). In addition, the mitochondrial DNA region spanning the tRNA^leu-Cox2 region from colonies bearing the morphometric data associated with A. m. ruttneri was amplified (77% showed the P₀QQ structure). The data presented confirm morphometric similarity with A. m. siciliana and A. m. intermissa. We report the presence of A4, A8 and A9 haplotypes in A. m. ruttneri (83%; frequency 0.189, 0.081 and 0.486 respectively). European haplotypes belonging to the C1, C2 and M7 haplotypes were also recorded (17%; 0.135, 0.081, 0027). Recommendations for the conservation of this honey bee are proposed.