Raquel Hernández-García

Biodiversity of Apis mellifera iberica (Hymenoptera: Apidae) from northeastern Spain assessed by mitochondrial Analysis

The molecular variability has been analysed at the mitochondrial level in 288 honeybee colonies from 28 localities distributed along the four Catalonian provinces. In total sixteen different haplotypes belonging to three evolutionary lineages were found. The west European M lineage has been found at a high frequency in the four provinces and is fixed in Lerida, whereas the African A lineage shows a cline of distribution being more frequent in the northern Catalonia. The east European C lineage has been found in three colonies (one in Gerona and two from Barcelona). These results are most likely attributable to natural evolution events but the human influence should also be considered as an agent causing recent changes in the distribution of the honeybee populations. New insights about the evolution of the honeybee populations from the Iberian Peninsula are discussed in the light of the new information provided.

Mating frequency in Apis mellifera iberiensis queens

Summary Honey bees exhibit high levels of polyandry. This mating behaviour provides high levels of genetic diversity within the colonies which increases colony productivity, queen fitness and resistance to diseases. We investigated the mating frequency in two Iberian populations of Apis mellifera iberiensis, one from northern Spain inhabiting the Cantabrian Mountains and showing west European (M) mitochondrial haplotypes, the other located in south-eastern Spain close to the Mediterranean Sea and bearing African (A) mitochondrial DNA. Queens of the northern apiaries mated with 8–25 drones (average 15.73 ± 4.58), those of the south-eastern with 10–29 drones (average 18.92 ± 5.07), a difference that was significant (p = 0.036). Genetic relatedness among workers was 0.30 ± 0.02 in both populations. It is discussed whether climatic conditions and genetic background may influence honey bee queen mating behaviour.

Anthropometric characteristics and neuromuscular function in young judo athletes by sex, age and weight category

PurposeThe aim of the study was to examine anthropometric characteristics and neuromuscular function in young judo athletes by sex, age and weight category.Methods146 child and cadet judo athletes were examined for height, body mass (BM), body fat percentage (BF), countermovement jump (CMJ), sit-and-reach (SAR) test and handgrip muscle strength (HMS).ResultsThe results showed that male adolescents were taller, had more HMS, and less BF and flexibility than girls. Significant differences in the sex and weight category were observed, chiefly in BF and body mass index. There were no differences in time to peak force of HMS and CMJ.ConclusionsBased on these findings, special attention should be put to heavy BM categories targeting low BF and high muscle mass, which might contribute to improved neuromuscular function and in turn contribute to the dynamics randori. This study might help profiling the young judoka taking into account sex, age and BM category.