South African Bee

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The females from this species of oil-collecting bees in South Africa (Rediviva longimanus) have disproportionately long legs with dense hairs on the feet. They use the front legs to collect oil from the equally long spurs of the snapdragon flower (Diascia whiteheadii). Picture ANTON PAUW

Evolution boffins buzzing over bee discovery

By Dave Chambers Scientists have discovered why a South African bee species grew extraordinarily long legs. Research at Stellenbosch University has found that oil-collecting Rediviva bees‚ first described in 1984‚ evolved legs of up to…

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