Melissopalynological investigations of seasonal honey samples from the Greater Kruger National Park, Savanna biome of South Africa

Abstract

In melissopalynological studies, the investigation of pollen composition in honey samples reveals the geographical and botanical origin of the samples and links them to the regional climatic conditions. Honeybees (Apis mellifera), collect pollen and nectar for their nutritional requirements based on the seasonal availability of surrounding flora. In this study, pollen content in honey was temporarily investigated for seasonal differences of the bee foraged plants. A melissopalynological investigation was applied to honey samples harvested from 13 beehives located in the Greater Kruger National Park, South Africa. Multivariate statistics (NMDS and Rarefaction curves) were used to show spatial and temporal clustering of the samples. The melissopalynological data were then compared to the species’ flowering season and a botanical survey of the surrounding area. The turnover in pollen composition for different seasons signifies seasonal variation in pollen types. For example, during summer, bees foraged from fewer floral sources. The highest species richness was observed during winter, suggesting a higher dependence on a diversity of floral resources during the driest months. Various seasonal pollen spectra were characterised by a pollen turnover from numerous species, including Combretum type, Sclerocarya birrea, Poaceae, Harpephyllum caffrum and Lannea schweinfurthii but also neophytes such as Medicago sativa. Therefore, honey samples from the Lowveld region in South Africa reflected the seasonal patterns of the surrounding flora although pollen from taxa such as Combretum spp. (average 56%) and Sclerocarya birrea (average 14%) were continuously sought after by bees throughout the year.

Keywords:

• Melissopalynology
• Apis mellifera
• honey
• seasonality
• bee plants
• Savanna
• South Africa

Acknowledgements

This research was conducted at the Evolutionary Studies Institute (ESI) at the University of the Witwatersrand which allowed the processing and analysis of the data. Sample processing was guided by Prosper Bande (ESI). A thank you to Ronny Makukule and Joel Sithole from the NGO Elephants Alive, who helped to collect the honey samples. We thank Reimund Kuehn and Paul Allin from Bushriver Lodge who allowed one transect to be conducted on a portion of their land, and Blair Cowie from the School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, for transporting the honey samples to Johannesburg. We thank Prof Christian W.W. Pirk from the Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, for fruitful discussions and literature on the production of honey by honeybees, and for improved methods considered for future prospects.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Funding

Finally, the National Research Foundation (DST-NRF Innovative Master’s Scholarship, reference number: MND190827471660) has generously funded this study, thank you to NRF for their funds and for seeing value and potential in this investigation.

Notes on contributors

Nikiwe Ndlovu

NIKIWE NDLOVU is a palaeontology and biology graduate from the University of the Witwatersrand, with Masters research focused on pollination pathways and melissopalynology (cum laude). Nikiwe is currently a seasonal writer and on the support staff for the North West University in Potchefstroom, South Africa.

Frank H. Neumann

FRANK H. NEUMANN is a geologist and palaeontologist working as an Associate Professor in geology at North West University in Potchefstroom, South Africa. He has a special interest in the palaeoecology and palynology of Southern African, Near Eastern and Central European Cenozoic strata.

Michelle D. Henley

MICHELLE HENLEY has a PhD in elephant ecology and is currently conducting a second PhD in Environmental Ethics. She is the CEO, Co-founder, and Principal Researcher at Elephants Alive, Trustee of the ESAG of South Africa, Elephants for Africa and a AfESG member of the IUCN.

Robin M. Cook

ROBIN COOK is the Big Trees Projects Manager at Elephants Alive, and a PhD candidate at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. Robin’s research focuses on elephant impact on large tree species within savanna systems.

Chevonne Reynolds

CHEVONNE REYNOLDS a landscape ecologist and ornithologist at the University of the Witwatersrand. Chevonne’s research is focused on how changing landscapes affects ecological communities, specifically for birds and bees.