Ancient Bees' Unique Nesting Habits Discovered in Rodent Bones

Scientists have uncovered the first evidence of ancient burrowing bees nesting inside fossilized cavities of rodent bones on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, which includes the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

According to a study published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, these bees, estimated to be nesting over 5,000 years ago, took advantage of tooth and vertebra cavities found in the remains of hutias, rodents similar to a mix of squirrels and beavers, as well as an extinct type of sloth.

Notably, this discovery marks the first known instance of such nesting behavior in bees, as researchers, including lead author Lazaro Vinola Lopez from the Field Museum of Natural History, found multiple nests within a single tooth cavity, indicating that successive generations used the same location.

The area where the bees nested lacked sufficient soil for burrowing due to its karst landscape, which is characterized by sharp limestone. The research team noted that these findings provide new insights into the ecological interactions of prehistoric species and the evolution of bee behavior, showcasing the adaptability of bees in unique environments.