Phylogeny of the genus Apis

Abstract

The early historical background of honeybee phylogeny and systematics are reviewed and then proceed through the important contributions of von Buttel-Reepen (Mitt Zool Mus Berl 3, 117-201, 1906), Skorikov (Rep Appl Entomol Leningrad 4:249-264, 1929) through Maa (Treubia 21:525-640, 1953) and the first modern analysis of Lindauer (Z Vgl Physiol 38:521-557, 1956). The importance of chromosomes, geotaxis, the dance language and cavity nesting are analysed at length. Contemporary discussions focus on molecular approaches to honeybee phylogeny and various attempts at consensus tree structure are considered. Similarly, the persistent difficulties of polarity on Apis evolution are probed as are the evolutionary significance of worker size in the context of the fossil record.