Lack of Allozymic Variability in Three Bee Species

Relatively great genetic variability on the biochemical level has been reported for diverse groups of organisms.In general, populations maintain approximately 30% of their enzymatic loci in a polymorphic state (Selander and Johnson, 1973;Suomalainen and Saura, 1973).Literature references to organisms that lack genetic variability are rare (Selander and Kaufman, 1973a, b).The following reports a study of certain bees that lack variability at as many as twenty-two enzymatic and two general protein loci screened in populations from eastern Kansas.made by comparison of gels run at differing pH or on different buffers.Of the loci listed in Table 1, none showed variability due to genetic causes.Est-3 in L. zephyrum appears variable in females; however, in males it appears as a single invariant band suggesting the occurrence of two loci in females that may not be functionally active at all times.Without breeding data, however, the possibility of genetic variability at this locus cannot be totally eliminated.1 Migrates cathodally. 2 May be two superimposed loci, see text.