Landmark based geometric morphometric analysis of wing shape in Sibiricobombus Vogt (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Bombus Latreille)

Abstract

B. (Sibiricobombus) niveatus and B. (Sibiricobombus) vorticosus are analyzed and compared with selected species of the subgenera Melanobombus and Mendacibombus. Different geometric morphometric methods based on wings landmark data show that there are no morphological differences between B. niveatus and B. vorticosus. These results support the hypothesis that B. niveatus and B. vorticosus should be regarded as conspecific. On the other hand, the wing shapes show significant differences among the bumblebee species and subgenera that are coherent with their specific and subgeneric status. This approach may help future studies not only by contributing towards solving problems in systematics but also in understanding the flight mechanism of bumblebees. It also supports studies on the evolution of crossvein structure and on aerodynamics of different wing shapes in insects. © 2007 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.