>If there are only 2% of the original European genes in our bees, how is > that concentrating the gene pool.? > Allow me to help clarify, if I may. No genes have been lost. We're actually speaking of alleles of some genes. The alleles extant for some genes have changed--some of the alleles typical of A.m.m. have disappeared, to be replaced by alleles from A.m.l., A.m.scutellata, and some from Australia and elsewhere. There have been a shift of alleles. The question as to whether there has been an overall loss of allelic diversity is the question. Although Dr Shepard and Delaney's papers indicate a shift in alleles, my sensing of the research is that there has been little or no actual loss. As Pete says, honey bees have a number of unusual traits that allow them to recover allelic diversity from just a few survivors. I'll be writing about that very thing soon. Randy Oliver *********************************************** The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html