Morphmetric analysis of apis cerana populations in Huangshan, China

A morphometric analysis of Apis cerana honeybee populations in Huangshan, China, revealed distinct clusters linked to altitude differences. Researchers measured seven standard morphometric characters from 195 colonies across seven localities, comparing them with samples from Henan, Shandong, and Yunnan provinces. Principal component analysis identified two primary clusters: bees from Jinxian and Jixixian, and those from other regions. Further discriminant and hierarchical cluster analyses showed overlapping sub-clusters within the latter group, with significant differences demonstrated using Wilks’ lambda statistic. The study also noted high intercolonial variance in some regions, suggesting introgression among honeybee populations.

Yu, L., Liu, F., Huang, S., Bi, S., Zong, C., & Wang, T. (2013). Morphmetric analysis of apis cerana populations in Huangshan, China. Journal of Apicultural Science, 57(2), 117–124. https://doi.org/10.2478/jas-2013-0022