Unpacking Honeybee Identity: Taxonomic Classification
Understanding the taxonomic classification of
honey bees, particularly the Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera), helps
to place them within the broader tree of life and illustrates their
evolutionary relationships.
Table: Taxonomic Classification of Apis
mellifera
|
Rank |
Classification |
|
Kingdom |
Animalia |
|
Phylum |
Arthropoda |
|
Subphylum |
Hexapoda |
|
Class |
Insecta |
|
Infraclass |
Neoptera |
|
Subclass |
Pterygota |
|
Order |
Hymenoptera |
|
Suborder |
Apocrita |
|
Superfamily |
Apoidea |
|
Family |
Apidae |
|
Subfamily |
Apinae |
|
Tribe |
Apini |
|
Genus |
Apis |
|
Species |
Apis mellifera Linnaeus, 1758 |
The Western Honey Bee, Apis mellifera,
is classified as follows: It belongs to the Kingdom Animalia,
encompassing all animals. Within this kingdom, it falls under the Phylum
Arthropoda, characterized by exoskeletons and jointed appendages. More
specifically, it is part of the Subphylum Hexapoda and Class Insecta,
distinguishing it as an insect. Its winged nature places it in the Infraclass
Neoptera and Subclass Pterygota. The order Hymenoptera
includes bees, wasps, and ants, known for their membrane-like wings. Further
refinement leads to Suborder Apocrita, Superfamily Apoidea (bees
and some wasps), and Family Apidae (which includes honey bees, bumble
bees, and carpenter bees). Finally, within the Subfamily Apinae and Tribe
Apini, we find the Genus Apis, which comprises true honey
bees, with Apis mellifera being the specific Species. This
detailed classification demonstrates the precise biological categorization of
honey bees, highlighting their evolutionary lineage and relationships within
the insect world.
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