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Ancient Bees Discovered Nesting in Extinct Mammals' Teeth

12/17/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Paleontologists found ancient bees nesting inside the tooth sockets of extinct mammals in a cave on Hispaniola, now part of the Dominican Republic.
The bees are identified as Osnidum almontei.
The cave likely served as a dumping ground for ancient barn owls, providing nesting conditions.
The findings were published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences.

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Story summary

Paleontologists found ancient bees nesting inside the tooth sockets of extinct mammals in a cave on Hispaniola, now part of the Dominican Republic.
The bees are identified as Osnidum almontei.
The cave likely served as a dumping ground for ancient barn owls, providing nesting conditions.
The findings were published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences.