Question

An endemic honeybee which was discovered in the Western Ghats after a gap of more than 200 years is

• A. Apis karinjodian
• B. Apis karjodian
• C. Apis gajhodian
• D. Apis bharti

Hint:

To remember this breakthrough, associate the species name karinjodian with the "Indian black honeybee" which is endemic to the humid forest regions of the Western Ghats.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Honeybees belong to the genus Apis under the family Apidae and order Hymenoptera.
The Western Ghats of India is a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot.
Discoveries of new social insect species, particularly honeybees, are extremely rare in modern entomology.
Detailed Explanation:
The newly identified species is Apis karinjodian, commonly called the Indian black honeybee.
Prior to this discovery, the last valid honeybee species described from India was Apis indica by Fabricius in 17
This taxonomic discovery occurred in 2022, marking a gap of 224 years.
Apis karinjodian is endemic to the Western Ghats region, spanning across Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
Morphologically, it is characterized by its distinct dark abdominal coloration and specific morphometric parameters of the wings and legs.
The species is adapted to the dense forest environments of the Western Ghats and builds nests in cavities.
The addition of this species brings the total number of recognized honeybee species globally to eleven.

Step 2: Final Answer:
The endemic honeybee discovered in the Western Ghats after a gap of over 200 years is Apis karinjodian.