Nesting biology of equatorial Afrotropical stingless bees (Apidae; Meliponini) in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

Kajobe, Robert

doi:10.1080/00218839.2007.11101403

Cited by 26 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…The suitability of this species as nesting substrate may be related to relatively medium size of their trunks which very often have cavities. Similar tendency was reported by Kajobe (2007) where M. ferruginea seemed to have some selectivity preferences for Parinari excelsa. In fact, as suggested by Hubbell and Johnson (1977), bee species are opportunistic in selecting nesting place and generally use tree species presenting cavities with correct dimensions and purpose.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Patterns of Diversity and Distribution of Arboreal Social Bees’ Beehives within Chimpanzees’ Home Range in a Forest-Savanna Mosaic (Comoé National Park, Côte d’Ivoire)

Soro

Lapuente²,

Kone

et al. 2019

Sociobiology

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The goal of this study was to explain the patterns of diversity and distribution of arboreal social bees nesting in forest habitats of the Comoé National park, within the home-ranges of wild chimpanzees that consume their honey. Investigations were done using a total sixteen plots, one hectare each, established in three habitat types (mature forest island, secondary forest island and gallery forest). The diversity and distribution of arboreal social bees was estimated with visuals searches. The exploitation of the beehives of these bee by the chimpanzees was also evaluated using chimpanzees’ honey dipping tools as indicators. Results revealed five bees’ species belonging to two tribes; Meliponini (Meliponula ferruginea, Meliponula togoensis, Meliponula bocandei, Hypotrigona gribodoi) and Apini (Apis mellifera). Frequent exploitation of the honey of stingless bees by the chimpanzees was observed, except for H. gribodoi. Meliponula ferruginea was the most exploited species by chimpanzees. A total of 114 beehives were found in the overall established plots leading to an estimated density of 2.4 beehives/ha in the study area. Among the surveyed habitats, mature forest island was found to harbor the highest beehive density (4.2 beehives/ha), followed respectively by secondary-forest island (1.9 beehives/ha) and gallery forest (1.1 beehives/ha). Finally, all bee species were found nesting in cavities of trees with a DBH ranging from 15 to 87.3 cm, with a special preference for Dialium guinneense. However, the DBH of nesting trees and beehives’ height, measured from the ground level, did not significantly influence the honey exploitation by chimpanzees. In sum bee species diversity and distribution might be important in the survival of chimpanzees of a forest savanna landscape.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Patterns of Diversity and Distribution of Arboreal Social Bees’ Beehives within Chimpanzees’ Home Range in a Forest-Savanna Mosaic (Comoé National Park, Côte d’Ivoire)

Soro

Lapuente²,

Kone

et al. 2019

Sociobiology

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“…The size of bee species is a predictor of its foraging radius, with large-sized species known to travel for long distances searching for food (Greenleaf et al, 2007). Our study used the species found to be the smallest in Kenya (Kajobe, 2007) and our results correlate with the findings of others. For instance, the maximum foraging of our study is smaller than other experiments using a similar method, that is the maximum and regular foraging ranges of Scaptotrigona aff.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

“…There are 600-700 known species distributed in most tropical or subtropical regions (Grüter, 2020). Some species are found to differ in colony size that can accommodate 100 to 1000 of bees and body size ranging from 2 to 14 mm (Kajobe, 2007). Stingless bees exhibit dynamic activity while foraging for plant-based resources such as nectar, pollen and resin (Nunes-Silva et al, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hypotrigona gribodoi is one of the most widespread stingless bee species native in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is a small bee species that is well distributed in farmlands and forest habitats and is an excellent pollinator on both cultivated and wild crops (Kajobe, 2007;Kiatoko et al, 2013). In addition, H. gribodoi is also an excellent pollinator in green-and screenhouses which are on the rise in SSA (Kiatoko et al, 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Foraging range of an African stingless bee, Hypotrigona gribodoi (Apidae: Meliponini)

2022

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Stingless bees (Apidae: Meliponinae) are essential pollinators of numerous native and cultivated plant species, especially in the tropics. Knowledge of the distance over which the bee travels in search of food is crucial for successful pollination. Less is known about foraging ranges of African stingless bee species. This study investigated the foraging range of an African stingless bee species, Hypotrigona gribodoi, using translocation experiments. The capture-mark-recapture method and release at

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“…This implies that the behavior must have been invented independently at Bulindi or else became extinct in these nearby communities (Wrangham 2006). However, while Meliponula bees occur at Sonso and Kibale (Kajobe 2007a;Gruber et al 2009), these bees nest in tree cavities as well as underground (Kajobe 2007b), and ground nests may not be common at these sites. It is not yet known if chimpanzee communities elsewhere in the forestfarm mosaic in Hoima District dig for honey with sticks.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Tool-use to obtain honey by chimpanzees at Bulindi: new record from Uganda

McLennan

2011

Primates

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Honey-gathering from bee nests has been recorded at chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) study sites across tropical Africa. Different populations employ different strategies, ranging from simple 'smash-and grab' raids to use of sophisticated tool-sets, i.e., two or more types of tool used sequentially in a single task. In this paper I present evidence of tool-use, and the probable use of a tool-set, for honey-gathering by unhabituated chimpanzees at Bulindi, a forest-farm mosaic south of the Budongo Forest in Uganda. Between June and December 2007, 44 stick tools were found in association with 16 holes dug in the ground, corresponding to the period when stingless bees (Meliponula sp.) appeared in chimpanzee dung. In 11 cases the confirmed target was a Meliponula ground nest. Two potential tool types were distinguished: digging sticks encrusted with soil, and more slender and/or flexible sticks largely devoid of soil that may have functioned to probe the bees' narrow entry tubes. Reports of chimpanzees using tools to dig for honey have been largely confined to Central Africa. Honey-digging has not previously been reported for Ugandan chimpanzees. Similarly, use of a tool-set to obtain honey has thus far been described for wild chimpanzee populations only in Central Africa. Evidence strongly suggests that Bulindi chimpanzees also use sticks in predation on carpenter bee (Xylocopa sp.) nests, perhaps as probes to locate honey or to disable adult bees. These preliminary findings from Bulindi add to our understanding of chimpanzee technological and cultural variation. However, unprotected forests at Bulindi and elsewhere in the region are currently severely threatened by commercial logging and clearance for farming. Populations with potentially unique behavioral and technological repertoires are being lost.

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Nesting biology of equatorial Afrotropical stingless bees (Apidae; Meliponini) in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

Cited by 26 publications

References 17 publications

Patterns of Diversity and Distribution of Arboreal Social Bees’ Beehives within Chimpanzees’ Home Range in a Forest-Savanna Mosaic (Comoé National Park, Côte d’Ivoire)

Patterns of Diversity and Distribution of Arboreal Social Bees’ Beehives within Chimpanzees’ Home Range in a Forest-Savanna Mosaic (Comoé National Park, Côte d’Ivoire)

Foraging range of an African stingless bee, Hypotrigona gribodoi (Apidae: Meliponini)

Tool-use to obtain honey by chimpanzees at Bulindi: new record from Uganda

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