Abstract
Apis mellifera jemenitica Ruttner (= yemenitica auctorum: vide Engel 1999) has been used in apiculture throughout the Arabian Peninsula since at least 2000 BC. Existing literature demonstrates that these populations are well adapted for the harsh extremes of the region. Populations of Apis mellifera jemenitica native to Saudi Arabia are far more heat tolerant than the standard races often imported from Europe. Central Saudi Arabia has the highest summer temperatures for the Arabian Peninsula, and it is in this region where only Apis mellifera jemenitica survives, while other subspecies fail to persist. The indigenous race of Saudi Arabia differs from other subspecies in the region in some morphological, biological, and behavioral characteristics. Further taxonomic investigation, as well as molecular studies, is needed in order to confirm whether the Saudi indigenous bee populations represent a race distinct from Apis mellifera jemenitica, or merely an ecotype of this subspecies.
Highlights
It is somewhat ironic that most domesticated animals are often overlooked for basic research into their natural history and systematics
We provide a brief overview of the history of beekeeping in Saudi Arabia, research on the indigenous bee populations, and the available natural history information for these unique honey bees
1 A historical apiary with traditional hives of Saudi Apis mellifera jemenitica Ruttner maintained over 500 years by the same family in Taif 2 Entrance to a hive of A. m. jemenitica in Taif 3 A traditional log hive of A. m. jemenitica in Taif 4 Photograph showing size and other morphological differences between A. m. jemenitica and A. m. carnica Pollmann
Summary
It is somewhat ironic that most domesticated animals are often overlooked for basic research into their natural history and systematics. The indigenous honey bees of Saudi Arabia 1 A historical apiary with traditional hives of Saudi Apis mellifera jemenitica Ruttner maintained over 500 years by the same family in Taif (there are many such apiaries in the area, with beekeepers maintaining these as a family tradition over numerous generations; honey from such apiaries is much costlier than those managed in Langstroth hives) 2 Entrance to a hive of A. m.
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