Morphometric studies on Nigerian honeybeeApis mellifera adansonniL. workers of rainforest and Sudan agro-ecological zones of Nigeria

The threat to honeybees,Apis melliferaoccasioned by anthropogenic activities often reduced variations and loss of diversity globally, hence the need to conserve the existing honeybee populations. Fifteen morphological characters were measured for variation on four hundred (400) worker honeybee samples purposively collected from two agro-ecological zones of Nigeria. Inferential statistics Analysis of Variance, SNK and t- test (alpha = 0.05) and dendrogram of morphological proximity based on wings and proboscis length was also constructed using PAST 2.14 version analysis as appropriate for data collected. Results showed that significant morphological variation (p < 0.05) existed within honeybees in locations studied in each agro-ecological zones and amongApis melliferapopulations in both Sudan and rainforest ecological zones in Nigeria.A. melliferaL. collected from areas of Sudan vegetation (mountainous zone) showed significant higher value of several morphological characters as compared to those found in rainforest zone (sub-mountainous zone). Whereas high morphological similarities were observed in Sudan honeybee populations, distant relatedness of Emure (rainforest) honeybees however were recorded (CV = 0.34). The study concluded that ecotypes exist in Nigerian honeybees as a result of significant morphometric variations which could have significant impact in future bee breeding programmes with respect toA. melliferaL. in Sudan and rainforest agroecological zones of Nigeria. It is recommended that activities that will enhance honeybee conservation should therefore be encouraged.

Automated summary

The study analyzed morphological variations in honeybees from different regions in Nigeria, finding significant differences within and among populations in different agro-ecological zones. The results suggest the existence of ecotypes in Nigerian honeybees, which could impact future bee breeding programs for Apis mellifera in Sudan and rainforest zones of Nigeria. Efforts to enhance honeybee conservation should be encouraged to preserve existing populations.