In every study that I've seen in which the genetics of feral populations of honey bees were compared to those of commercial stocks maintained in the same area, the ferals maintained their independent genetic integrity. In California, prior to varroa, several independent feral populations reflected fitness selection, and tended to separate back into the genetics of the original populations imported from Europe, according to local conditions. In my own beekeeping career, I've observed rapid evolution of the California population for tracheal mite, chalkbrood, and of late, AFB resistance. Such evolutionary adaptation has been slower for resistance to varroa, but we have mainly ourselves to blame. Such shifts in the gene pool, although certainly not speciation, might nonetheless be considered to be evolution. -- Randy Oliver Grass Valley, CA www.ScientificBeekeeping.com *********************************************** 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