Bombus mongolensis explained

Bombus mongolensis is a species of bumblebee that primarily lives in Mongolia.[1] It lives at altitudes ranging from 1,300 to 2,100 meters (4,265-6,990 feet).[2]

Taxonomy

The species was discovered in 1892, but was believed then be a copy of Bombus melanurus. Later, Paul H. Williams held it to be a separate species by means of the appearance of the male genitalia and later by DNA analysis.[3]

Appearance

Bombus mongolensis is a larger, long-haired bumblebee with dense pale yellow-white hair with black stripes between the wing bases. The males can sometimes have pieces of yellow hair mixed in with the black stripes. On females the bright coat can reach the top of the legs, but the males' coats often end sooner.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Map of Bombus mongolensis. Discover Life. 28 November 2015.
  2. Web site: Bumble Bees. National History Museum. 28 November 2015.
  3. Williams. Paul H.. The bumblebees of the subgenus Subterraneobombus: integrating evidence from morphology and DNA barcodes. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 4 January 2011. 28 November 2015. 10.1111/j.1096-3642.2011.00729.x. free.