> Local phenotypes can arise that have nothing to with adaptation due to
genetic drift or sexual attraction.
Adaptation is all about reproductive fitness -- every bloodline is
competing against all others. The genetic winners are those with the most
grandchildren in subsequent years.
The adaptive pressure will likely be different for managed colonies in
hives vs. free-living colonies in tree cavities.
In my own operation, we apply very strong selective pressure against any
colonies that are defensive or susceptible to varroa, and genetically
reward those that are gentle and resistant, and produce large colonies for
almond pollination. Our selective pressure likely differs from that
applied my Mom Nature to free-living colonies in the same landscape.
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
530 277 4450
ScientificBeekeeping.com
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