The sperm of Apis mellifera siciliana and Apis mellifera ligustica: A preliminary and comparative note

The purpose of this study was to compare the qualitative and quantitative changes of sperm viability of Apis mellifera ligustica and Apis mellifera siciliana stored at a steady room temperature of 23 °C after manual collection. The characteristics of semen were evaluated within 3–4 h after its collection. The semen volume produced by each drone of A. m. siciliana averaged 0.92 ± 0.03 μL; the sperm concentration averaged 3.85 ± 0.05 × 106/mL; sperm motility showed a wide range with mean 3.3 ± 0.82%; the longevity/viability test showed variable values averaging 5.30 ± 0.36 h. The semen volume produced by each drone of A. m. ligustica averaged 0.94 ± 0.05 μL; the sperm concentration averaged 4.59 ± 0.34 × 106/mL; sperm motility showed a wide range with mean 3.54 ± 0.97%; the longevity/viability test showed variable values averaging 4.98 ± 0.49 h. Results showed lower sperm concentration (p < 0.0001) and higher viability (p = 0.0036) in sperm of A. m. siciliana than A. m. ligustica. This study provides additional and preliminary information on the sperm quality and quantitative characteristics of A. m. siciliana.