>On the other hand, any traits that you select and successfully propagate
must have a genetic basis in order to be heritable and which should be
identifiable via genetic markers.

"Must" is a pretty strong word here Pete, especially since I know that you
understand epigenetics.

> Presumably they come from the original types which were imported for the
very characters you describe.

I try not to presume anything.  An alternate explanation would be that all
bee races possess genes for all possible phenotypes and behaviors, and that
selection works at both the genetic and epigenetic level to express those
genes that fit the selection process.

E.g., you can breed for gentle Africans, you can breed for Italians that
forage in cool weather, and I've bred for Primorski Russian stock that
overwinters with a large cluster and builds up for almonds (took three
year's selection).

>
> --
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com

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