Hi Rip, Dee & all

> Can you cite any reference showing that the difference in tongue lenght
> between "big" Apis mellifera and little Apis mellifera?

This is not a direct answer to the question posed, but it casts doubt on
the linearity of relationship of individual features in comparison to
body size.

It was conjectured, by Dee, that tracheal mites may have come about as
an adaption of external mites that became able to enter the major
tracheal spiracle, due to an increase in average body size in bees,
which in turn was due to enlarged foundation.

A study has been made, and is about to be published, by John McMullen...
This study showed that for a body size shift of 10% there was only a 1%
change in the diameter of the tracheal orifice.


Regards & Best 73s, Dave Cushman, G8MZY
http://website.lineone.net/~dave.cushman or http://www.dave-cushman.net
Short FallBack M/c, Build 6.02/3.1 (stable)

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