We discussed a paper recently that looked into the mite DNA in colonies, in which the researchers expressed surprise it was so diverse, given that mites reproduce along clonal lines, with some gene shuffling within the line.

The Conlon comment is also predicated on a model that does not account for what happens in most of the real world: drift.

Bees drift freely between hives and nearby apiaries, mites with them. Robbing may also move mites between colonies.

That mixing of mite lines across colonies may overcome the evolutionary disadvantage Conlon postulates.

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