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Published October 13, 2025 | Version v1
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A honey bee fossil (Hymenoptera, Apidae) from the Late Pliocene to Early Pleistocene Teragi Group, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan: Bridging a gap in Apis evolutionary history

Authors/Creators

  • 1. Keio Yochisha Elementary School, Tokyo, Japan
  • 2. Kyoto Sangyo University, Kyoto, Japan

Description

A new fossil honey bee Apis (Apis) aibai sp. nov. was discovered in the Late Pliocene–Early Pleistocene lacustrine deposit in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. Fossil species are identified based on their distinct forewing venation, thick, lighter-colored abdomens, and hind legs. Honeybee fossils exhibit a highly uneven distribution across time. Fossil species are primarily derived from older Oligocene–Miocene deposits, mostly in Europe and China, while fossils of a few modern species have been recovered from younger Pleistocene and Holocene deposits. Apis (Apis) aibai sp. nov. bridges the gap between older and younger fossil records. Additionally, this species represents the most recent extinct honey bee and the oldest known record of the subgenus Apis.

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Additional details

Cites
Publication: 10.2517/prpsj.240023 (DOI)
Publication: 10.1080/00222938300770721 (DOI)
Publication: 10.4039/Ent42310-9 (DOI)
Publication: 10.1051/apido:19980306 (DOI)
Publication: 10.1206/0003-0090(2001)259 (DOI)
Publication: 10.1206/0003-0082(2006)504 (DOI)
Publication: 10.3897/zookeys.775.24909 (DOI)
Publication: 10.1051/apido:2008029 (DOI)
Publication: 10.1002/ece3.312 (DOI)
Publication: 10.21608/jppp.2017.46930 (DOI)
Publication: 10.1007/978-3-642-16422-4 (DOI)
Publication: 10.1007/s13592-020-00826-6 (DOI)
Publication: 10.3897/zookeys.96.752 (DOI)
Publication: 10.5962/bhl.title.11138 (DOI)
Publication: 10.5962/bhl.title.542 (DOI)
Publication: 10.1111/j.1365-3113.2009.00504.x (DOI)
Publication: 10.1051/apido:19840106 (DOI)
Publication: 10.1111/1475-4983.00073 (DOI)
Publication: 10.2307/j.ctv2drhcfb (DOI)
Publication: 10.1007/978-3-642-16422-4_11 (DOI)
Publication: 10.1016/j.ympev.2006.10.013 (DOI)
Publication: 10.1007/s12686-017-0922-y (DOI)
Publication: 10.1051/apido:2008052 (DOI)
Has part
Figure: 10.3897/zookeys.1255.162389.figure3 (DOI)
Figure: 10.3897/zookeys.1255.162389.figure2 (DOI)
Figure: 10.3897/zookeys.1255.162389.figure1 (DOI)

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