> A long-term study was completed to compare the development of genetically diverse colonies (those with many patrilines) and genetically uniform colonies (those with workers that share only one father) after a swarming event. The results show genetically diverse colonies were more successful.

> By the end of the summer, genetically diverse colonies had populations that were five times larger than those of genetically uniform colonies, they reared eight times more reproductive males, and they were significantly heavier, mostly because of large amounts of stored food. These surplus food reserves sustained the genetically diverse colonies throughout the winter months, whereas all of the genetically uniform colonies starved to death by December.

> This research suggests that the use of poorly mated queens in commercial operations (mating quality includes number of mates, sperm stored, genetic diversity of mates) may have a large impact on the productivity of the colonies that they head.

-- 
"Genetic Diversity May Be the Key to New Honey Bee Colony Success"
Heather R. Mattila and Thomas D. Seeley
Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University

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