Morphological diversity of honey bee populations across the country based PCA and minimum variance (WARD) methods

Although phenotypic treat show direct genetic variation, the present study was to identify and study genetic diversity in populations of honey bees that is an important goal in bee breeding. Thus, colony samples of honeybees were collected from 16 different provinces of iran randomly in autumn season of the year 93. Colony grouping was studied based on morphological traits using cluster analysis (PCA) and the least variance (WARD) methods. The results indicated that there was a correlation between front wings width or trunk and the antennae or front foot, the b index and diameter, d18 angle and d7 angle and also all mentioned trait had correlation with front wings in probability level of P