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Taxonomy as a Tool for Conservation of African Stingless Bees and Their Honey

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Abstract

Afrotropical stingless bee honey is a commodity in many African communities. However, its uses and composition have not been well documented in the scientific literature, and documentation in indigenous culture is scant. Understanding Afrotropical stingless bees and their contribution to humanity is hindered by incomplete understanding of their taxonomy. Taxonomic studies are hindered by the apparent morphological similarity between species, as some currently described species are in fact species groups, representing distinct taxa by traditional healers who have practical knowledge on the medicinal uses for their honey, naturalists who observe differences in nest architecture, and in molecular studies. A taxonomic revision combining morphology and modern tools, such as DNA barcodes, is needed before Afrotropical stingless bees can be fully studied.

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Acknowledgements

Dr. Janine Kelly and Dr. Claus Rasmussen are thanked for critical reading of the manuscript. Editorial support was kindly provided by P. Vit, S.R.M. Pedro and D.W. Roubik.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Agricultural Research Council, X134, Queenswood, 0121, Pretoria, South Africa

    Connal Eardley

  2. School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3209, South Africa

    Connal Eardley

  3. Department of Entomology & Wildlife—International Stingless Bee Centre, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana

    Peter Kwapong

Authors
  1. Connal Eardley
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  2. Peter Kwapong
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Correspondence to Connal Eardley .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Zumba Sur, University of the Andes, Villa Del Rio 8, Merida, 5101, Venezuela

    Patricia Vit

  2. Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, 14040-901, São Paulo, Brazil

    Silvia R. M. Pedro

  3. Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Ancon, Panama

    David Roubik

Additional information

We dedicate this chapter to Professor Charles Duncan Michener who has been a huge inspiration throughout our career.

As ecology embodies taxonomy, the background created by Mich will endure and always be treasured.

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Eardley, C., Kwapong, P. (2013). Taxonomy as a Tool for Conservation of African Stingless Bees and Their Honey. In: Vit, P., Pedro, S., Roubik, D. (eds) Pot-Honey. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4960-7_18

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