MORPHOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF THE HONEYBEE STRAINS AND ASSOCIATED (Varroa Jacobsoni)

Abstract

The venom composition of the three groups has been analyzed to clarify the structure. For Apis mellifera lamarckii venom, twelve bands were obtained. For Apis mellifera camica venom, nine bands were obtained. For hybrid (Apis mell(fera lamarckii X Apis mellifera camica) venom, thirteen bands were obtained. It can be noticed that Egyptian bee venom and the hybrid bee venom have strong similarities in their biochemical composition.

The effects of the crude venoms of the honeybees on the cardiac muscles were studied to compare between the effect of the three groups of bee venom on the cardiac muscles. Several cases of cardiac disorders were recorded within few minutes of the venom application on the isolated perfused hearts. The Egyptian bee venom is the most effective venom in inducing bradycardia. The effect of hybrid bee venom on the heart rat HR of the toad's heart gave intermediate result between the two parent races. Accordingly, it can be concluded that the similarity in the effects of both A.m. lamarckii and the hybrid bee venom is due to the strong similarities between their biochemical composition.