W. Engels
Published: June 23, 2009
Genet. Mol. Res. 8 (2) : 738-743
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4238/vol8-2kerr039
Cite this Article:
W. Engels (2009). The first record on Brazilian stingless bees published 450 years ago by Hans Staden. Genet. Mol. Res. 8(2): 738-743. https://doi.org/10.4238/vol8-2kerr039
About the Authors
W. Engels
Corresponding author
W. Engels
E-mail: wolf.engels@uni-tuebingen.de
ABSTRACT
Only a few decades after 1492, when Christopher Columbus arrived on a Caribbean island and Pedro Álvares Cabral claimed Brazil for Portugal in 1500, a German mercenary gave the first description of stingless bees in 1557. He got to know them when he was imprisoned for months by an anthropophagous tribe in the coastal region of Santos, today in the State of São Paulo. This rather short but nevertheless extremely exact record on stingless bees is hidden in the first book on Brazil. Three species and important aspects of their life history were treated. This early description has been completely overlooked by bee scientists until now. My note intends to close this evident gap.
Key words: Stingless bees, First record in 1557,Hans Staden; Brazil.