Allometric studies on Apis mellifera adansonii workers from three ecological zones of Nigeria

This study evaluated the body allometry of honey bees, Apis mellifera adansonii Latreille (Hymenoptera Apidae) from the rainforest, Guinea savannah and derived savannah zones of Nigeria. Fifteen honey bee workers were collected from fifty-four colonies comprising of eighteen colonies in each of the three ecological zones. Honey bee samples were dissected and morphological parameters measured using PhotoScan method. The relationship between the body parts and total body length was calculated using linear regression. Length-weight relationship was analysed by using the allometric linear relationship. Results showed significantly higher (P < 0.05) mean body weight, total body length and mouth width in the honey bees from the rainforest zone. The thorax and abdomen lengths of honey bees from the rainforest and Guinea savannah zones showed significant linear relationship with the total body length of the honey bees. Also, lengths of abdomen, thorax, head, antenna, proboscis, pollen basket, maxillae, hind limb, fore wing and hind wing of honey bees from the three ecological zones exhibited negative allometric growth pattern with the total body length. Length-weight relationship however revealed a positive allometric growth pattern in honey bees from the rainforest zone and negative allometric in those from Guinea savannah and derived savannah zones. Thus, length-weight relationship could be a more sensitive tool in assessing the allometric pattern of honey bees from different environments.