Morphometrical study on Syrian honeybee (Apis mellifera syriaca)

One hundred Syrian honeybee workers were taken from two different Syrian locations (Damascus and its surrounding), in an average of fifty workers from each location. The samples were morphometrically studied at the laboratory of honeybee researches in the Faculty of agriculture, University of Damascus in 2005. Six characteristics were studied: cubital index, color (pigment) of both second and third abdominal tergite, tomentum, length of the hairs on the fifth abdominal tergite (pilosity), Tongue length (proboscis) and Number of the hooks on both posterior wings. Statistical results showed that no significant differences were observed between the samples coming from both Syrian populations (Damascus and its surrounding). However, when the Syrian honeybee (as a single population) has been compared with other honeybee subspecies like Apis In. mellifera, A. m. intermissa, A. nz. ligustica, A. m. caucasica and A. m. carnica significant differences were found for some characteristics and not for others. This primary study indicates that the Syrian honeybee, even in the presence of a strong introgression and random hybridizations with foreign honeybees, is still maintaining its unique characteristics. As a conclusion, it is necessary to establish a program of selection for this subspecies, which will enable us to protect the important aspects and specific characteristics of this local honeybee.