A molecular phylogeny of the genus Apis suggests that the Giant Honey Bee of the Philippines,A. breviligula Maa,and the Plains Honey Bee of southern India,A. indica Fabricius,are valid species |
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| Authors: | NATHAN LO ROSALYN S. GLOAG DENIS L. ANDERSON BENJAMIN P. OLDROYD |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Behaviour and Genetics of Social Insects Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia;2. CSIRO Division of Entomology, Black Mountain Laboratory, Canberra, Australia |
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| Abstract: | Two new taxa have been added to the existing molecular phylogenies of the genus Apis. The new phylogeny supports the accepted phylogenetic relationships of {dwarf honey bees [giant honey bees (cavity‐nesting honey bees)]}. Based on Bayesian and maximum parsimony trees, our analysis supports recognition of Apis indica, the Plains Honey Bee of south India, as a separate species from A. cerana. Our analysis also supports recognition of the Giant Philippines Honey Bee, A. breviligula, as a separate species from A. dorsata. |
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