The Moroccan beekeeping sector faces significant challenges, primarily due to the extensive hybridization of bee races within the country. This process undermines the benefits of long-term natural selection and contributes to the gradual disappearance of pure-bred bee races. This study aims to examine the morphometric diversity of raised honeybees in the Beni Mellal-Khenifra region of Morocco. Samples were collected in five localities: Ouawizeght, Tagzirt, El Ksiba, Souk Sebt, and Tadla, between May and November 2024, and five key traits (body length, proboscis length, tomentum, pilosity, and cubital index) were measured. Significant differences were found between the localities based on a comprehensive morphometric analysis of five characters (P<0.05). Principal component analysis revealed that 82% of the total variance was explained by the first and second components of both ecotypes. bee length and pilosity showed positive correlations with the first principal component, explaining 42.80% of the variance. The second principal component, influenced by the cubital index, tomentum, and proboscis length, explained 39.20% of the variance. Our study contributes to understanding the adaptive responses of honeybees to different floral environments and climate conditions, providing valuable insights into beekeeping practices and the preservation of native bee populations in Morocco.
Chikhaoui et al. (Tue,) studied this question.