Enzyme gene variation in five species of bumble bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Abstract

Genetic variability at eight enzyme loci was assessed in five bumble bee species from southern Ontario: Bombus affinis Cresson, B. fervidus (Fabricius), B. bimaculatus Cresson, B. impatiens Cresson, and B. vagans Smith. Average expected heterozygosity (Hexp ± SE) across all species was 0.089 ± 0.023 (range 0.046–0.139). These values are higher than any previously reported estimates of average expected heterozygosities for bumble bees.