Abstract
The subfamily Apinae with only one tribe, Apini, comprises not more than four (or perhaps five or six) species (Fig. 1.1). The spectacular differences in size of individuals and nest architecture between the species caused taxonomists to subdivide the tribe in several genera or subgenera (Megapis, Micrapis, Sigmatapis) each with one (or two closely related) species (see Chap. 5). Since any taxon, except the species, is a question of deliberate agreement intended for improvement in practical application (Mayr 1968), it seems preferable to use the least complicated classification, that is to group the few species as one single genus.
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© 1988 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
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Ruttner, F. (1988). The Genus Apis. In: Biogeography and Taxonomy of Honeybees. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-72649-1_1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-72649-1_1
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