Some morphological data of Apis mellifera in Saratov region 

Ayrat F. Khafizov, Postgraduate student, Bashkir State Pedagogical University named after M. Akmulla (3a Oktyabrskaya Revolutsiya street, Ufa, Russia), E-mail: falk864314@gmail.com
Vener N. Sattarov, Doctor of biological sciences, professor, head of the sub-department of ecology, geography and nature management, Bashkir State Pedagogical University named after M. Akmulla (3a Oktyabrskaya Revolutsiya street, Ufa, Russia), E-mail: wener5791@yandex.ru

Background. Currently, it is known that the common breeds in the Saratov region are: Central Russian, Carpathian, mountain Caucasian. A large number of bee packages and mothers from Central Asia and other southern regions are imported to the territory. In this regard, we started research on their taxonomic evaluation. Materials and methods. The material was a sample of worker bees collected in 2022–2023. The sampling was conducted in the following apiaries: Alexandrovka, Pristannoye, Petrovsky (v. Abodim), Karamyshka, 1st Elshanskaya Street, Kleshchevka. Chamber processing was carried out on the basis of BSPU M. Akmulla. 20 bees from one bee family were sampled according to standard methods. Results. The average value of trunk length exceeded the standard values of bees of the Central Russian subspecies (standard – 6.00–6.40 mm), which indicates that hybridization processes are taking place. Also, this parameter exceeded the values of other populations – Kirov, Bashkir and others. Wing indices corresponded to the standard of the Central Russian subspecies: length – 9.00–10.00 mm, width – 3.00–3.50 mm, and when compared with other populations, the wing length index was the lowest. Cubital index of bees was lower than the standard of the Central Russian subspecies, but closer to the indices of bees of the Mari population. At the same time, the tergite index corresponded to Apis mellifera mellifera and was closer to bees of the Bashkir and Volgograd populations. The length of sternite corresponded to the Central Russian bees, and the width exceeded the required standards – 4.75–5.00 mm. At the same time, the value of sternite length was the highest compared to other populations, respectively. In terms of wax mirror parameters, the families corresponded to the standard of the Central Russian subspecies (length standard – 2.45–2.70 mm, width – 1.50–1.70 mm). At the same time, the length value was the lowest compared to other populations. Conclusions. The analysis of the obtained data allows us to conclude about the ongoing hybridization processes in the region and possibly about the gradual reduction of the Saratov population of the Central Russian subspecies. The current situation, of course, requires the creation of protected areas and further identification and preservation of localities of native bees in the Saratov region.

honey bee, morphometric traits, populations, Saratov region

Khafizov A.F., Sattarov V.N. Some morphological data of Apis mellifera in Saratov region. Izvestiya vysshikh uchebnykh zavedeniy. Povolzhskiy region. Estestvennye nauki = University proceedings. Volga region. Natural sciences. 2024;(4):18–23. (In Russ.). doi: 10.21685/2307-9150-2024-4-2