UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST NESTING ECOLOGY OF STINGLESS BEES WITHIN THREE LANDSCAPES IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE VOLTA REGION OF GHANA FERDINAND TORNYIE 2013 UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST NESTING ECOLOGY OF STINGLESS BEES WITHIN THREE LANDSCAPES IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE VOLTA REGION OF GHANA BY FERDINAND TORNYIE THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ENTOMOLOGY AND WILDLIFE OF THE SCHOOL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY DEGREE IN ENTOMOLOGY APRIL 2013 DECLARATION i Candidate’s Declaration I hereby declare that this thesis is the result of my own original work and that no part of it has been presented for another degree in this university or elsewhere. Candidate’ Signature:………………………… Date:……………………….... Name: Ferdinand Tornyie Supervisors’ Declaration We hereby declare that the preparation and presentation of the thesis were supervised in accordance with the guidelines on supervision of thesis laid down by the University of Cape Coast. Principal Supervisor’s Signature:………………...... Date:.................................... Name: Dr. Peter Kofi Kwapong Co-Supervisor’s Signature:…………………......... Date:………...................... Name: Dr. Rofela Combey ABSTRACT ii This research was carried out to investigate the nesting ecology of stingless bees in three selected landscapes in the northern part of the Volta Region of Ghana, from June 2011 to February 2012. The study focused on three stingless bee species Meliponula bocandei (Spinola), Meliponula ferruginea (Lepeletier) and Dactylurina staudingeri (Gribodo). Using eight transects (500 X 40 m) in each landscape, number of nests, nesting heights, diameter at breast heights (DBH) of nest trees and potential nest trees were sampled at three sites namely Koru, Abotoase and Kyabobo. Out of a total of 93 stingless bee nests found, M. ferruginea recorded the highest (50) compared to M. bocandei (33) and D. staudingeri (10). Nest density for the three sites was estimated to be 1.9 nests/ha (≈ 2 nests/ha). M. ferruginea was the only species that nested in old termite mounds (17 nests) and in the ground (1 nest). The bees did not show preference for particular tree species they nest in. The two Meliponula bee species were found nesting in trees with DBH ≥15 cm. Landscape characteristics appeared to have some effects on the nesting ecology of stingless bees. Koru, which recorded larger trees had the highest nest density. Less suitable nesting trees in Abotoase influenced M. ferruginea to nest more in old termite mounds than trees. Extraction of potential nesting trees due Agricultural activities and wild honey hunting are threats to stingless bee colonies in Koru and Abotoase. Lack of more suitable nesting trees could account for lower stingless bee nests in Kyabobo National Park. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS iii I wish to express my profound gratitude to Dr. Peter Kwapong, my principal supervisor, who supported me in the entire work. I also wish to thank Dr. Rofela Combey, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Coast, for guiding me through this work as my co-supervisor. I am very thankful to my family especially my dad, Mr. Raphael Kujo Tornyie and Richmond Sosu who supported me financially and emotionally throughout my work. I wish to also thank very much the Wildlife Division of Forestry Commission for allowing me to use the Kyabobo National Park for my research. The park manager Mr. Ammed Ankyie and the entire staff of Kyabobo National Park are worth mentioning for their hospitality and assistance during my research there. I cannot forget Mr. David Amedozi and his family for their warm gesture and assistance at Koru. Thanks to my family for all their support during my survey especially at Abotoase. Mr. Percy Danquah assisted me in the identification of the specimens and I wish to thank him so much. I wish to also thank Mr. Francis Otoo of School of Biological Science herbarium for the assistance in plant identification. Thanks to Mr. Samuel Acheampong, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology for his immense contribution during data analysis. To all the farmers and hunters, at all my study sites, I say thank you for your support throughout the studies. Thanks to Mr. Kwame Amede (Abotoase), Wisdom Abotsi (Abotoase), Augustine (Nkwanta) and all others who were very helpful in my research. DEDICATION To the Tornyie Family of Mafi-Adidome iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Content Page v DECLARATION ii ABSTRACT iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iv DEDICATION v TABLE OF CONTENTS vi LIST OF TABLES ix LIST OF FIGURES x LIST OF PLATES xi LIST OF ACRONYMS xiii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1 Background to the study 1 Statement of problem 4 Research aim 6 Research objectives 6 Justification of the study 6 Definition of terms 7 Organisation of thesis 7 CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 9 Overview 9 Stingless bees 9 Taxonomy and phylogeny of stingless bees 10 Stingless bees and their geographical distribution 12 Differences between honeybee (Apis) and stingless bees (Meliponini) 12 vi Reproductive biology of stingless bees 14 Communication and foraging in stingless bees 16 Nesting biology and behaviour of stingless bees 17 Nest defense in stingless bees 19 Protection of the outer nest by stingless bees 21 Stingless bees defense materials 22 Maintenance behaviour of stingless bees in their nest 24 Stingless beekeeping and livelihood 27 Importance of stingless as pollinators 30 Issue of declining pollinator populations 35 Effects of climate change on bee populations 39 Stingless bees and forest destruction 40 Bees and land uses 43 CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY 50 Overview 50 Study area 50 Selection of experimental areas 50 Area one: Koru forest 52 Area two: Abotoase 52 Area three: Kyabobo National Park 52 Data collection 56 Statistical analysis 64 CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS 66 vii Overview 66 Diversity of stingless bees species in the three areas 66 Nesting behaviourbehavior 66 Nesting density and nest tree characteristics 71 Tree species and potential nest trees species in which stingless bees nest 76 CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION 84 Overview 84 Stingless bees nest survey and nesting sites for the three study areas 84 Nest and potential nest tree survey at Koru 89 Nest and potential nest tree survey at Abotoase 91 Nest and potential nest tree survey at Kyabobo 94 CHAPTER SIX: SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 96 Overview 96 Summary 96 Conclusions 97 Recommendations 97 REFERENCES 99 APPENDIX 131 LIST OF TABLES Table Page 1. Differences between stingless bees and Apis (honeybees) 13 viii 2. Nest density and potential nest tree density for the three sampled areas 73 3. Mean DBH of nest trees and nest height for Meliponula bocandei and Meliponula ferruginea for the three areas 73 4. Mean DBH of nest trees and nest height at the three sampled areas (Koru, Abotoase and Kyabobo) 73 5. Relative percentage of nests found in some specific DBH ranges of nest trees 74 6 a. Nest tree species and number of nests found in them at Koru 77 b. Potential nest tree species and their population at Koru 78 7 a. Nest tree species and number of nests found in them at Abotoase 80 b. Potential nest tree species and their population at Abotoase 81 8 a. Tree species and number of nests found in them at Kyabobo 82 b. Potential nest tree species and their population at Kyabobo 82 LIST OF FIGURES Figures Page 1. Map of northern Volta Region showing the research areas 51 ix 2. Relative nest abundance of three stingless bee species (Meliponula bocandei, Meliponula ferruginea and 67 Dactylurina staudingeri) at the three sampled areas (Koru, Abotoase and Kyabobo) 3. Number of nests found in trees, old termite mounds and in the ground for Meliponula ferruginea at Koru, Abotoase and 68 Kyabobo 4. Relative abundance of nests of the three stingless bee species 68 at the three sites (Koru, Abotoase and Kyabobo) 5 a. Number of nests found in trees of various DBH for 74 Meliponula bocandei across the three study areas b. Number of nests found in trees of various DBH for 75 Meliponula ferruginea across the three study areas 6 a. Number of nests found in trees of various heights for 75 Meliponula bocandei across the three study areas b. Number of nests found in trees of various height for 76 Meliponula ferruginea across the three study areas LIST OF PLATES Plates Pages 1 a. Lumber extracted from the forest in Koru 53 x b. A stream flowing through the forest at Koru 54 2 a. Degraded portions of the forest showing savanna grassland and farmlands at Abotoase 54 b. Forest burnt by wild fire at Abotoase 55 3 a. A low-lying forest with smaller trees Kyabobo National Park 55 b. Montane forest higher up the slopes of Kyabobo National Park 56 4. Stingless bees nest search team searching and documenting for nest presence 57 5. Flagging tapes on trees showing a transect boundary 58 6. Collecting stingless bees with a long sweep net 60 7. Working on stingless bees in the laboratory 61 8. Insect box containing stingless bee species 61 9. Measuring nesting height using calibrated wooden pole 62 10. Measuring diameter at breast height (DBH) of a tree in which stingless bee nest was found 63 11 a. Meliponula ferruginea in a tree trunk showing the entrance 69 b. Meliponula bocandei nest in a tree trunk showing the entrance 69 xi 12. Meliponula ferruginea nest in an old termite mound 70 13. Entrance hole of Meliponula ferruginea nest in the ground showing the entrance 70 14. A logged tree as a result of wild hunting of stingless bee honey 91 LIST OF ACRONYMS ANOVA Analysis of Variance DBH Diameter at breast height FAO Food and Agriculture Organization xii xiii CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION Background to the study Stingless bees (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini) are a group of small- to medium-sized bees with vestigial (non-functional) stings.