Spatiotemporal occurrence of beehives of genus Apis in Northern Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan

Global insect pollinator declines in different landscapes have urged an increased need to assess the distribution and abundances of these pollinators in different landscapes. We explored seasonal patterns of occurrence of honeybees in selected districts of Northern Punjab (Sialkot, Gujrat, Gujranwal...

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Main Authors: Saira Bashir, Muhammad Faheem Malik, Mubashar Hussain
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2023-04-01
Series:Kuwait Journal of Science
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Online Access:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S230741082300007X
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author Saira Bashir
Muhammad Faheem Malik
Mubashar Hussain
author_facet Saira Bashir
Muhammad Faheem Malik
Mubashar Hussain
author_sort Saira Bashir
collection DOAJ
description Global insect pollinator declines in different landscapes have urged an increased need to assess the distribution and abundances of these pollinators in different landscapes. We explored seasonal patterns of occurrence of honeybees in selected districts of Northern Punjab (Sialkot, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Jhelum, and Rawalpindi) and associated two districts of AJK (Bhimber and Mirpur). We recorded the occurrence of beehives from agroforestry, cropped areas, and parks or tree plantations on monthly basis from 2019 to 2021. Taxonomic keys were used to identify the Apis spp. and consequently, beehives were recognized. Data were arranged seasonally i.e., Fall-Winter (September to February), Spring (March–May), and Summer (June–August). Data demonstrated significant differences (p ​< ​0.05) in the distribution patterns of beehives of Apis spp. among districts and seasons. In Jhelum and Bhimber districts, A. dorsata and A. cerana had a high percentage of hives as compared to A. florea but a lower percentage of hives was recorded in Sialkot and Gujranwala. A. dorsata had shown maximum occurrence in Jhelum (20.83%) than in Bhimber (14.52%) and Rawalpindi (16.41%). While A. cerana indicated a higher percentage of hives in Jhelum (20.95%) followed by Bhimber (17.74%), and Mirpur (14.53%). We detected that A. florea had a higher occurrence in Bhimber (16.61%), Sialkot (15.87%), and Jhelum (15.31%). The synthesis of our study suggests that A. dorsata may have greater occupancy in the areas with sub-mountainous topography. While there is a more generalized distribution of A. cerana and A. florea in plains like Sialkot, Gujranwala, and Gujrat. Based on our findings regarding their occurrence and coexistence, these three species have the potential to contribute to the honey production and genetic diversity of local flora in the study area.
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spelling doaj-art-c40b26054b2b4f2ea4115b8e8b5513f52025-08-20T03:16:52ZengElsevierKuwait Journal of Science2307-41082307-41162023-04-015024046https://doi.org/10.1016/j.kjs.2023.02.007Spatiotemporal occurrence of beehives of genus Apis in Northern Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, PakistanSaira Bashir0Muhammad Faheem Malik1Mubashar Hussain2Department of Zoology, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Punjab, PakistanDepartment of Zoology, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Punjab, PakistanDepartment of Zoology, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan ; UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, University of Western Australia, Perth, AustraliaGlobal insect pollinator declines in different landscapes have urged an increased need to assess the distribution and abundances of these pollinators in different landscapes. We explored seasonal patterns of occurrence of honeybees in selected districts of Northern Punjab (Sialkot, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Jhelum, and Rawalpindi) and associated two districts of AJK (Bhimber and Mirpur). We recorded the occurrence of beehives from agroforestry, cropped areas, and parks or tree plantations on monthly basis from 2019 to 2021. Taxonomic keys were used to identify the Apis spp. and consequently, beehives were recognized. Data were arranged seasonally i.e., Fall-Winter (September to February), Spring (March–May), and Summer (June–August). Data demonstrated significant differences (p ​< ​0.05) in the distribution patterns of beehives of Apis spp. among districts and seasons. In Jhelum and Bhimber districts, A. dorsata and A. cerana had a high percentage of hives as compared to A. florea but a lower percentage of hives was recorded in Sialkot and Gujranwala. A. dorsata had shown maximum occurrence in Jhelum (20.83%) than in Bhimber (14.52%) and Rawalpindi (16.41%). While A. cerana indicated a higher percentage of hives in Jhelum (20.95%) followed by Bhimber (17.74%), and Mirpur (14.53%). We detected that A. florea had a higher occurrence in Bhimber (16.61%), Sialkot (15.87%), and Jhelum (15.31%). The synthesis of our study suggests that A. dorsata may have greater occupancy in the areas with sub-mountainous topography. While there is a more generalized distribution of A. cerana and A. florea in plains like Sialkot, Gujranwala, and Gujrat. Based on our findings regarding their occurrence and coexistence, these three species have the potential to contribute to the honey production and genetic diversity of local flora in the study area.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S230741082300007Xapisagroforestrybeehiveshoneybeespakistan
spellingShingle Saira Bashir
Muhammad Faheem Malik
Mubashar Hussain
Spatiotemporal occurrence of beehives of genus Apis in Northern Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
Kuwait Journal of Science
apis
agroforestry
beehives
honeybees
pakistan
title Spatiotemporal occurrence of beehives of genus Apis in Northern Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
title_full Spatiotemporal occurrence of beehives of genus Apis in Northern Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
title_fullStr Spatiotemporal occurrence of beehives of genus Apis in Northern Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
title_full_unstemmed Spatiotemporal occurrence of beehives of genus Apis in Northern Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
title_short Spatiotemporal occurrence of beehives of genus Apis in Northern Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
title_sort spatiotemporal occurrence of beehives of genus apis in northern punjab and azad jammu and kashmir pakistan
topic apis
agroforestry
beehives
honeybees
pakistan
url https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S230741082300007X
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AT muhammadfaheemmalik spatiotemporaloccurrenceofbeehivesofgenusapisinnorthernpunjabandazadjammuandkashmirpakistan
AT mubasharhussain spatiotemporaloccurrenceofbeehivesofgenusapisinnorthernpunjabandazadjammuandkashmirpakistan