[Pollinator] [beemonitoring] Apis nearctica [1 Attachment]

[John S. Ascher]

Actually one specimen is all it takes to rewrite the history of Apis in
the new World.

Many of our most interesting fossils are known from unique specimens and
have rewritten evolutionary history.

A single positive datapoint overrules all previous evidence of absence.

For this reason it is often unwise to declare insects extinct:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_9008000/9008585.stm

John

>
> On Dec 6, 2010, at 1:47 PM, John S. Ascher wrote:
>
>> The paper in question describes a native true (Apis) honey bee
>
> However, it was and is the only one specimen ever found of this bee.
> Hardly enough info to rewrite the books.
>
> Peter L Borst
> Cohen Lab
> VRT3-001
> Cornell University
>
>


-- 
John S. Ascher, Ph.D.
Bee Database Project Manager
Division of Invertebrate Zoology
American Museum of Natural History
Central Park West @ 79th St.
New York, NY 10024-5192
work phone: 212-496-3447
mobile phone: 917-407-0378