Apidologie 21 (1990) 47-52
DOI: 10.1051/apido:19900106

Evidence of reproductive isolation confirms that Apis andreniformis (Smith, 1858) is a separate species from sympatric Apis florea (Fabricius, 1787)

S. Wongsiri^a, K. Limbipichai^a, P. Tangkanasing^a, M. Mardan^b, T. Rinderer^c, H.A. Sylvester^c, G. Koeniger^d and G. Otis<sup>b

a</sup>  Bee Biology Research Unit, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
^b  Department of Plant Protection, Universiti Pertanian Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
^c  Honey-Bee Breeding, Genetics & Physiology Research 1157 Ben Hur Road, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70820, USA
^d  Institut für Bienenkunde D 6370 Oberursel 1, FRG

Abstract - The species Apis andreniformis (Smith, 1858), the small dwarf honey bee of South-east Asia, is recognized as a valid biological species. This recognition is based on distinctive endophallus characteristics in comparison with sympatric Apis florea (Fabricius, 1787). Additionally, scanning electron microscope images of drone basitarsi are presented, as are preliminary comparisons of wing venation.

Key words: Apis florea / Apis andreniformis / taxonomy / reproductive isolation