How did a tiny bee get to French Polynesia? Eight new species help solve a scientific mystery | Newswise: News for Journalists

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HYLAEUS DERECTUS MALE. THIS LITTLE BEE (3–5 MM) BEE IS ONLY KNOWN THUS FAR FROM NEAR MT NADARIVATU ON VITI LEVU, FIJI. IT WAS COLLECTED FROM A CANOPY-FLOWERING MISTLETOE.

Credit: JAMES DOREY PHOTOGRAPHY

HYLAEUS DERECTUS MALE. THIS LITTLE BEE (3–5 MM) BEE IS ONLY KNOWN THUS FAR FROM NEAR MT NADARIVATU ON VITI LEVU, FIJI. IT WAS COLLECTED FROM A CANOPY-FLOWERING MISTLETOE.

« How did a tiny bee get to French Polynesia? Eight new species help solve a scientific mystery

Hylaeus navai female. Found on the Viti Levu and Taveuni islands of Fiji, this species is still only known from the females, but is named in honour of Navai Village and their long-term support of Fijian bee research

Credit: James Dorey Photography

Hylaeus navai female. Found on the Viti Levu and Taveuni islands of Fiji, this species is still only known from the females, but is named in honour of Navai Village and their long-term support of Fijian bee research

« How did a tiny bee get to French Polynesia? Eight new species help solve a scientific mystery

Navai Village on the island of Viti Levu, Fiji. Including locals, guides, hosts, and Flinders University/University of South Australia students that were funded by the Government’s New Colombo Plan in 2019.

Credit: James Dorey Photography

Navai Village on the island of Viti Levu, Fiji. Including locals, guides, hosts, and Flinders University/University of South Australia students that were funded by the Government’s New Colombo Plan in 2019.

« How did a tiny bee get to French Polynesia? Eight new species help solve a scientific mystery

Much of our research would be impossible without the help of locals who act as guides, hosts, and friends. Here, guides and researchers pause for a break while hiking up to Lake Tagimoucia in tropical heat.

Credit: James Dorey Photography

Much of our research would be impossible without the help of locals who act as guides, hosts, and friends. Here, guides and researchers pause for a break while hiking up to Lake Tagimoucia in tropical heat.

« How did a tiny bee get to French Polynesia? Eight new species help solve a scientific mystery

Mount Tomanivi is Fiji’s highest peak at 1,324 m above sea level. It is home to unique bee species, although it has yet to be specifically sampled for new Hylaeus bees.

Credit: James Dorey Photography

Mount Tomanivi is Fiji’s highest peak at 1,324 m above sea level. It is home to unique bee species, although it has yet to be specifically sampled for new Hylaeus bees.

« How did a tiny bee get to French Polynesia? Eight new species help solve a scientific mystery

Namosi Village on Viti Levu Island, Fiji, shows an incredible mixture of anthropogenic and forested habitats with a backdrop of wild mountains.

Credit: James Dorey Photography

Namosi Village on Viti Levu Island, Fiji, shows an incredible mixture of anthropogenic and forested habitats with a backdrop of wild mountains.

« How did a tiny bee get to French Polynesia? Eight new species help solve a scientific mystery

Lake Tagimoucia as seen from Des Voeux Peak on Taveuni, Fiji. Both the lake and the peak have been the sites where new species were found. The Peak in particular is where the first Fijian Hylaeus were collected for this project.

Credit: James Dorey Photography

Lake Tagimoucia as seen from Des Voeux Peak on Taveuni, Fiji. Both the lake and the peak have been the sites where new species were found. The Peak in particular is where the first Fijian Hylaeus were collected for this project.

« How did a tiny bee get to French Polynesia? Eight new species help solve a scientific mystery

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