The Canary Islands have environmental conditions according to altitude,
latitude and longitude, which influence in the distribution of organisms.
Previous studies suggest the existence of honeybee (Apis mellifera L.)
populations on the Canary Islands that have evolved relatively isolated and,
therefore adapted to particular environmental conditions. Canarian
honeybees were included in the African sublineage with Atlantic distribution
(AIII), in which honeybee populations from the Macaronesian archipelagos
(Azores, Madeira, the Savage Islands, Canary Islands and Cape Verde) and
Portugal, are also included. In this paper we present the results of the
molecular variation at mitochondrial DNA level of honeybee populations from
Gran Canaria and La Gomera (Canary Islands). This marker is suitable for
estimating genetic diversity and patterns of spatial differentiation in
connection with the existing environmental variety on the islands of Gran
Canaria and La Gomera.
