Discovering Ancient Bees Nesting in Fossilized Jawbone Cavities
A fascinating discovery has been made in a cave on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, where generations of ancient solitary bees have made their home within the tooth holes of a fossilized jawbone. This unique finding sheds light on the adaptability of these ancient insects and their ability to thrive in unexpected environments.
The jawbone in question is believed to have belonged to a capybara-like rodent known as Plagiodontia araeum, which was most likely carried to the cave by an owl. After the owl consumed the rodent, the jawbone was left behind, eventually becoming buried beneath clay silt. Over time, the teeth of the jawbone loosened and scattered, creating small cavities known as dental alveoli.
It is within these dental alveoli that a newly-described species of burrowing bee, Osnidum almontei, established a multi-generational home. This discovery marks the first time ancient bees have been found nesting within the pre-existing cavities of a fossil, showcasing their resourcefulness and adaptability.
Upon closer examination of the jawbone, paleontologist Lazaro Viñola Lopez noticed the unusually smooth surface inside one of the alveoli. Micro-computed tomography scans revealed evidence of multi-generational use of the same cavity, indicating a degree of nest fidelity among these ancient bees.
The nesting behavior of bees is crucial for their survival, as it determines the consistency with which they select and use nesting sites. The presence of nesting cells within the fossilized jawbone and other bones in the cave suggests that the bees exhibited opportunistic behavior, filling all available bony chambers in the sediment deposit.
Although these nesting cells are considered trace fossils or ichnofossils of O. almontei, they provide valuable insights into the behavior of these ancient bees. The abundance of nests throughout the sediment deposit indicates that the cave served as a long-term nesting aggregation area for these solitary bees.
This groundbreaking research, published in Royal Society Open Science, highlights the remarkable adaptability and nesting behavior of ancient bees. It offers a unique glimpse into the ecological history of these fascinating insects and their ability to thrive in diverse environments.
