Determination of the geometric morphometry of Varroa sp. (Acari: Varroidae) ectoparasite of Apis mellifera L., north coast of Peru, 2018

Abstract

The Apis mellifera L. bee is the most used species in the production of honey, pollination of crops and derivatives; however, it has a latent enemy, which always puts at risk the production and bee health that is Varroa sp. (familia) which is the most important ectoparasite of bees in the world. In Peru, few studies have been carried out to reliably determine the species of Varroa present, which is a necessity for making decisions relevant to its control. For this reason the present research sought to determine the species of Varroa through the technique of geometric morphometry. Specimens were collected in apiaries in Tumbes, Piura, Lambayeque and La Libertad. Later, 510 specimens of Varroa sp. were mounted and photographed. Eight Reference Anatomical Points (PAR) were digitized on the ventral surface of the mite. With the obtained data, the Generalized Analysis of Procustes (AGP), Analysis of Main Components (ACP), Analysis of Canonical Variables (AVC) and Analysis of Deformation Grid were made, verifying the significance of these by means of the analysis of Cluster and Kruskal-Wallis, which determined that all the populations of mites present in the north of Peru belong to a single species. Subsequently, the dimensions of the idiosome of the mites were evaluated, finding average lengths and widths of 1.11 mm and 1.70 mm respectively, which corresponds to the species of Varroa desructor Anderson & Trueman (2000).