Genomic survey of the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor, a major pest of the honey bee Apis mellifera.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor has emerged as the primary pest of domestic honey bees (Apis mellifera). Here we present an initial survey of the V. destructor genome carried out to advance our understanding of Varroa biology and to identify new avenues for mite control. This sequence survey provides immediate resources for molecular and population-genetic analyses of Varroa-Apis interactions and defines the challenges ahead for a comprehensive Varroa genome project.

Results

The genome size was estimated by flow cytometry to be 565 Mbp, larger than most sequenced insects but modest relative to some other Acari. Genomic DNA pooled from ~1,000 mites was sequenced to 4.3× coverage with 454 pyrosequencing. The 2.4 Gbp of sequencing reads were assembled into 1

SUBMITTER: Cornman SR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3091747 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature