Molecular Characterization of the Indigenous Stingless Bees (Tetragonula spp. Complex) Using ISSR Marker from Southern Peninsular India.

India is a country bestowed enormously with stingless bees, but genetic information about them is extremely minimal. This study focused to tap the geographic allocation, genetic variability, and differentiation among Tetragonula species complexes from natural and semi-urban habitats. Genetic analyses were assessed among 36 contrasting genotypes utilizing 20 ISSR primers. The dual combination exquisitely and productively amplified 245 DNA fragments at the loci, of which 240 bands were polymorphic (97.95%). Low to moderate level of genetic differentiation was detected from different estimators (Ht 0.29, G' STest 0.16, D est 0.072, F ST 0.14, and Nm 2.68). Hierarchical clustering analysis aided to partition the individual genotypes into its respective five species group formed, aided by substantial bootstrap support values, but differing under morphological identification. It also provided valuable insight into the moderate eco-genetic diversity (H 0.39) prevailing from geographically scattered inhabitants. Potential exploitation of hyper-variable ISSR marker turned out fairly as a promising technique for finding valid polymorphisms and infers relevant variations. This baseline information enhances our understanding of the genetic status of the indigenous species from the country.