> although some local populations in specific regions undoubtedly died out.

Like Apis nearctica;  during at least the Miocene they occurred in western North America . 

> Apis nearctica has been recovered from mid-Miocene shales of central Nevada and demonstrates the dangers of basing ancient biogeographic patterns solely on the present-day occurrence of living species. Like horses, gingkoes, and Ailanthus, honey bees were once native to the New World but became extinct and were subsequently reintroduced by humans during the colonial era.

PLB

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