Aristotle's Historia Animalium and Apis reproduction.

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17161/jom.v0i4.4455

Keywords:

Apidae, Apinae, Apini, Apis

Abstract

The details of observations and accounts recorded in Aristotle’s Historia Animalium have been cataloged by scholars for decades.The degree to which his interpretations and accounts are accurate and demonstrate an actual understanding of honey bee biology have been debated.Throughout these discussions, however, it appears that one observation dutifully recorded has escaped notice.Aristotle made note of the direct product of the haplodiploid sex determination system, attesting to the power of his accounts, although he made no attempt to interpret it.

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References

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Swammerdam, J. 1737. Biblia Naturae; sive Historia insectorum, in classes certas redacta, nec non exemplis, et anatomico variorum animalculorum examine, aeneisque tabulis illustrata. Insertis numerosis rariorum naturae observationibus. Omnia lingua Batava, auctori vernacula, conscripta. Accedit preafatio, in qua viam auctoris descripsit [Bybel der natuure; of, Histoire der insecten, tot zeekere zoorten gebracht: Door voorbeelden, ontleedkundige onderzoekingen van veerlerhande kleine gediertens, als ook door kunstige kopere plaaten opgeheldert. Verrykt met ontelbaare waarnemingen van nooit ontdekte zeldzaamheden in de natuur. Alles in de Hollandsche, des auteurs moedertaale, beschreven. Hier by komt een vooreeden, waar in het leven van den auteur beschreven is door]. Severinus; Leiden, The Netherlands; [xlv]+362 pp., +16 pls. [Eerste deel / Tome I], [xii]+367–910+124 [Tabulae harumque breves explicationes, quibus Biblia Naturae]+[36] pp., +53 pls. [Deel twee / Tomus II] [Bilingual text, Latin and Dutch: published posthumously by Herman Boerhaave (1668–1738) and Hieronymus D. Gaubius (1705–1780); Swammderam lived 1637–1680; Apis is in the second volume].

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Published

18-02-2013

How to Cite

Engel, M. S. (2013). Aristotle’s Historia Animalium and Apis reproduction. Journal of Melittology, 4, 1-3. https://doi.org/10.17161/jom.v0i4.4455

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