>If there are only 2% of the original European genes in our bees, how is
> that concentrating the gene pool.?
>

Allow me to help clarify, if I may.  No genes have been lost.  We're
actually speaking of alleles of some genes.  The alleles extant for some
genes have changed--some of the alleles typical of A.m.m. have disappeared,
to be replaced by alleles from A.m.l., A.m.scutellata, and some from
Australia and elsewhere.

There have been a shift of alleles.  The question as to whether there has
been an overall loss of allelic diversity is the question.  Although Dr
Shepard and Delaney's papers indicate a shift in alleles, my sensing of the
research is that there has been little or no actual loss.

As Pete says, honey bees have a number of unusual traits that allow them to
recover allelic diversity from just a few survivors.  I'll be writing about
that very thing soon.

Randy Oliver

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