Question

The common name of recently discovered Honey Bee from Western Ghats is

• A. Indian Black Honey Bee
• B. Indian Red Honey Bee
• C. Indian Mustard Honey Bee
• D. Indian Noni Honey Bee

Hint:

Always remember that Apis karinjodian is the first bee species discovered in India after 224 years. Its name is derived from the "Karinjodian" region in the Western Ghats where it was identified.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The discovery of a new species of honey bee is a rare and significant event in the field of entomology.
For over two centuries, only a handful of honey bee species were known to exist in India.
The Western Ghats, being a global biodiversity hotspot, provides unique ecological niches that facilitate the evolution of endemic species.
Integrated taxonomy, which combines morphological studies with molecular analysis (DNA barcoding), has recently allowed researchers to distinguish closely related species that were previously grouped together.
Detailed Explanation:
In 2022, a new species of honey bee was discovered in the Western Ghats of India.
The species was scientifically named Apis karinjodian.
The common name given to this species is the "Indian Black Honey Bee."
This is a momentous discovery because the last honey bee species described from India was Apis indica by Fabricius in 1798.
Apis karinjodian has evolved from Apis cerana (the Indian hive bee) but has adapted specifically to the high-humidity, forest environments of the Ghats.
Morphologically, it is much darker in color than other Apis species, which is a characteristic reflected in its common name.
The species is endemic to the Western Ghats, ranging from the central regions to the southern tips in states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
The discovery highlights the importance of protecting the Western Ghats from deforestation and climate change, as this bee plays a vital role as a pollinator in these ecosystems.
The honey produced by this bee is also reported to have a distinct chemical profile and higher moisture content compared to honey from other domesticated bees.

Step 2: Final Answer:
The common name of the bee is the Indian Black Honey Bee, scientifically known as Apis karinjodian.