0.07: The Bond Unveiled

A team of scientists has unveiled compelling evidence affirming the giant Himalayan honey bee (Apis laboriosa) as a distinct species, dispelling the previous notion of it being a mere sub-species of the smaller, lower-elevation Apis dorsata. This resolution addresses a longstanding debate within the scientific community, marking a significant milestone in understanding these fascinating creatures.

Dr. Nyaton Kitnya, lead author of the study and a postdoctoral researcher at Trivedi School of Bioscience, Ashoka University, Sonipat, Haryana, tells me through an email conversation that the researchers' initial objective was to map and monitor the occurrence of Apis laboriosa in the Eastern Himalayas. "However, in the process, we learned that Apis laboriosa's species status is controversial. Many bee taxonomists considered it a high elevation form of Apis dorsata, widely spread across Southeast Asia." She further tells me that the area of sympatry within the Eastern Himalayas, where both species (laboriosa & dorsata) co-occur, allowed them to conduct morphometric and phylogenetic analyses, thus verifying the bees' species status.

Kitnya elaborated, stating, "The phylogenetic data based on mtDNA, as presented in our published work, strongly suggest that laboriosa is distinct from dorsata, with a p-distance (genetic distance) value of 0.07. This difference exceeds that between Apis florea and Apis andreniformis (the dwarf honey bee species), which have a p-distance value of 0.04. Currently, we are working to understand more at the genomic level."  

"The long-controversial statement/question regarding the classification of giant honey bees has been clarified," Kitnya explains. She and her colleagues were further engaged in research, focusing on generating taxonomic keys for the giant honey bees Megapis, which they intended to submit to "Frontiers of Bees Sciences" in January 2024.

An Apis laboriosa honeybee collecting nectar from a plant. Image Source: https://biol421.opened.ca/apis-dorsata-laboriosa-the-himalayan-cliff-bee-its-mad-honey-and-the-gurung-people-of-nepal/

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Endemic to the towering peaks and deep valleys of the Hindu Kush Himalayas, Apis laboriosa thrives in some of the world's most challenging environments. From its beginnings as an egg laid by the queen bee to its seasonal migrations across altitudes, the life cycle of Apis laboriosa is a testament to its ability to navigate and survive in harsh mountain conditions.

But despite its imposing size and importance as a pollinator and honey producer, Apis laboriosa remains one of the least studied honeybee species. Its biology, behavior, and role in local ecosystems are still shrouded in mystery, making it a subject of exploration for researchers worldwide.

“Going Mad Over ‘Mad Honey’”

The economic impact of Apis laboriosa in Nepal and the broader Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region is profound, with honey production serving as a vital source of income for local communities. Research conducted by Thapa et al. (2018) and Arya et al. (2015) indicates that each Apis laboriosa colony in Nepal yields an average of 25-60 kilograms of honey annually, offering a valuable resource for both local consumption and commercial trade. This honey varies in type depending on the season, with springtime red honey, harvested from high-altitude blooms of the Ericaceae family, being particularly prized for its medicinal and halucinogenic qualities (Roubik et al., 1985).

However, the traditional practice of honey hunting, where tribesmen employ fire and rope ladders to collect honey from cliffside nests, has led to significant declines in Apis laboriosa populations. Ahmad et al. (2003) notes that more than 50% of the annual honey yield in the region is obtained through this method, contributing to habitat destruction and population decline. Additionally, factors such as deforestation, landslides, parasites, and diseases further threaten the survival of Apis laboriosa (Thapa et al., 2018; Joshi et al., 2004; Chantawannakul et al., 2016; Anderson & Morgan, 2007; Allen et al., 1990).

The decline of Apis laboriosa populations has far-reaching implications beyond honey production. Gogoi et al. (2017) highlights the crucial role of these bees in pollinating various fruit, vegetable, and crop plants, including Brassica juncea, Raphanus sativus, Prunus persica, and Malus pumila. The decline or local extinction of Apis laboriosa populations could therefore have detrimental effects on agricultural and horticultural productivity in the region (Batra, 1996; Tayeng and Gogoi, 2016).

Furthermore, Apis laboriosa's distribution across the Pan-Himalayan region, as documented by Gogoi et al. (2017), underscores its importance in supporting local ecosystems and economies (Kitnya et al., 2020). The species' nests are found in pockets along high-altitude cliffs, stretching from India to Vietnam, with significant quantities of spring honey exported to markets in Japan, Korea, and Hong Kong (Gogoi et al., 2017; Gupta, 2014). However, the sharp decline in colony numbers and nests per cliff in recent decades, attributed to various factors including deforestation, hunting, climate change, and competition with introduced species, poses a significant threat to Apis laboriosa populations (Joshi et al., 2014).

Despite being recognized as the largest honeybee species globally, Apis laboriosa remains one of the least studied. Its distribution primarily centers around the Hindu Kush Himalayan region in southern Asia. Belonging to the subgenus Megapis alongside Apis dorsata, it was initially classified as a subspecies of Apis dorsata until Sakagami distinguished it as a separate species in 1980. However, despite Sakagami's claim, the species' status has remained debated up until now.