Comparative Analysis of Morphological Characteristics among Subspecies of Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) in Different Regions of Eastern Uzbekistan

Identifying the subspecies of honey bees( Apis mellifera) and understanding their morphological characteristics is essential for improving colony productivity, particularly in regions with sub-optimal yields. This study aimed to determine the subspecies distribution and compare morphometric traits among honey bees managed in 6 regions of eastern Uzbekistan. A total of 3,200 workers were collected from 32 apiaries and analyzed. Subspecies classification was conducted using 19 wing landmarks processed through IdentiFly software, and key morphological traits-including body length, head width, thorax width, lengths and widths of fore and hind- wings, as well as the tarsus were measured using ImageJ. 9 morphotypes presumed to belong to known Apis mellifera subspecies were inferred based on wing morphometric analysis, with A. m. remipes (26.7%), A. m. carpatica (24.2%), and A. m. caucasica (17.4%) being the most prevalent. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences among subspecies for all traits except body length. Notably, A. m. cecropia exhibited the largest values in all wing-related parameters. Given the established link between wing size and foraging capacity, the presence of high-performing subspecies such as A. m. cecropia suggests potential for enhancing apicultural productivity in Uzbekistan. The findings of this study provide baseline data on subspecies diversity and morphological variation in the region and may support future breeding strategies tailored to local environmental conditions and production goals.