Bees That Built Homes in Bones: A Strange Discovery

In a cave on Hispaniola, scientists found something odd: ancient bees that nested inside animal bones. This is not typical bee behavior. Most bees build hives or nests above ground. But these bees, named Osnidum almontei, did something different. They used the hollow parts of bones to make their homes.

The Cave of Secrets

The cave, called Cueva de Mono, was full of fossils. Mostly, these were bones from hutias, which are rodents like guinea pigs. But one fossil stood out. It was a hutia jawbone, but it was too smooth. This made the scientists curious.

Initial Misconceptions

At first, they thought wasps might have used the bones to build nests. But that didn't make sense. After more research, they realized it was ancient bees. These bees were different from modern bees. They didn't just dig holes in the ground. They used the empty spaces inside bones, like tooth sockets, to nest.

The Perfect Home

The cave was also home to giant barn owls. These owls hunted hutias and left their bones behind. The bees then used these bones to build their nests. The cave had enough soil for the bees to use. This made it a perfect home for them.

Changing Perspectives

This discovery changes how scientists look at fossils. They now take more care when cleaning fossils. They don't want to miss any signs of ancient insect behavior.

Ongoing Research

The scientists are still studying the cave. They hope to find more new species of mammals, reptiles, and birds. This discovery is just the beginning.