Dataset of wing venation measurements for Apis mellifera caucasica, A. mellifera carnica and A. mellifera mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae), their hybrids and backcrosses.

Paweł Węgrzynowicz,Aleksandra Łoś

doi:10.3897/bdj.8.e53724

Abstract

BackgroundWing venation is used as a tool in honeybee (Apis mellifera L., 1758) subspecies identification. The presented dataset concerns nineteen landmarks located at honeybee worker's forewing vein junctions. Landmarks of Apis mellifera caucasica Pollmann, 1889, A. mellifera carnica Pollmann, 1879 and A. mellifera mellifera Linnaeus, 1758, their hybrids and backcrosses were measured. In total, data from 9590 wings were collected. The dataset could be used in geometric morphometric analysis, studies of degree of inheritance of morphological features and, after further development and supplementation with other local subspecies and hybrids, can contribute to in-depth evolutionary research on honeybees.New informationBaseline dataset for wing venation of hybrids and backcrosses of A. mellifera carnica, A. mellifera caucasica and A. mellifera mellifera.

Highlights

Wing venation is commonly analysed as an important characteristic of insect species (e.g. Owen 2012, Perrard et al 2014, Rossa et al 2016, Breitkreuz et al 2017, Loh et al 2017, Jacquelin et al 2018)
Baseline dataset for wing venation of hybrids and backcrosses of A. mellifera carnica, A. mellifera caucasica and A. mellifera mellifera
In honeybees (Apis mellifera), the measurement of wing venation is used for subspecies determination (Tofilski 2008, Gerula et al 2009, Tofilski 2010, Francoy et al 2012, Santana et al 2014, da Silva et al 2015, Węgrzynowicz et al 2019Gerula et al 2009, Santana et al 2014, Tofilski 2008, Węgrzynowicz et al 2019)

Summary

Background

Wing venation is used as a tool in honeybee (Apis mellifera L., 1758) subspecies identification. The presented dataset concerns nineteen landmarks located at honeybee worker's forewing vein junctions. Landmarks of Apis mellifera caucasica Pollmann, 1889, A. mellifera carnica Pollmann, 1879 and A. mellifera mellifera Linnaeus, 1758, their hybrids and backcrosses were measured. The dataset could be used in geometric morphometric analysis, studies of degree of inheritance of morphological features and, after further development and supplementation with other local subspecies and hybrids, can contribute to in-depth evolutionary research on honeybees. Baseline dataset for wing venation of hybrids and backcrosses of A. mellifera carnica, A. mellifera caucasica and A. mellifera mellifera

Introduction

Sampling methods