Article
Microbiology
Garance Sarton-Loheac, Carlos Gustavo Nunes da Silva, Florent Mazel, Gilles Baud, Vincent de Bakker, Sudip Das, Yassine El Chazli, Kirsten Ellegaard, Marc Garcia-Garcera, Natasha Glover, Joanito Liberti, Lorena Nacif Marcal, Aiswarya Prasad, Vincent Somerville, German Bonilla-Rosso, Philipp Engel
Summary: Genomic data from six neotropical stingless bee species from Brazil revealed that most stingless bee gut bacteria are distantly related to those found in honey bees and bumblebees but have similar functional capabilities. The evolution of the social bee gut microbiota involved host switches and independent symbiont gain and losses, rather than strict codiversification. There was also substantial genomic divergence among strains of stingless bee gut bacteria, suggesting adaptation to different host species and glycan niches.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fatima Jorge, Nolwenn M. Dheilly, Celine Froissard, Robert Poulin
Summary: Division of labor in animal social groups is achieved through the formation of morphologically and functionally distinct castes. This study explores the association between microbiomes and caste formation in a social trematode, revealing that each caste has a distinct microbial community. The role of social context in shaping the microbiota and the contribution of microbes to modulate individual phenotype remain to be determined.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ana Carolina Costa Santos, Luiza Diniz Ferreira Borges, Nina Dias Coelho Rocha, Vasco Ariston de Carvalho Azevedo, Ana Maria Bonetti, Anderson Rodrigues dos Santos, Gabriel da Rocha Fernandes, Raquel Cristina Cavalcanti Dantas, Carlos Ueira-Vieira
Summary: The composition and role of microorganisms in the development of stingless bees remain unclear. This study identified bacteria and fungi associated with stingless bee species, which may play an essential role in their survival. A biobank with bacteria and fungus isolates from Brazilian stingless bees' larval food was also created, which can be used for various studies and biotechnology prospecting.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Luiza Diniz Ferreira Borges, Leticia Leandro Batista, Serena Mares Malta, Tamiris Sabrina Rodrigues, Jessica Regina da Costa Silva, Gabriela Venturini, Alexandre da Costa Pereira, Pedro Henrique Goncalves Guedes, Carlos Ueira-Vieira, Ana Maria Bonetti
Summary: In bees from genus Melipona, it is suggested that caste differentiation may involve epigenetic and metabolic regulation in addition to environmental and genetic factors. The study found that the histone deacetylase inhibitor 10HDA, a major lipid component of royal jelly thought to regulate honeybee caste differentiation, was unable to promote differentiation in queens in Melipona scutellaris.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Nicholas N. Dorian, Rachael E. Bonoan
Summary: The study revealed that stingless bees forage for minerals on carrion, with preferences varying among different minerals. Additionally, some species of bees were observed storing carrion, suggesting they may be using carrion as an alternative source of protein or nest-building materials.
ECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bairu Liu, Yicong Xu, Weixing Zhang
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive analysis of antennal gene expression in honey bees and reveals the olfactory adaptation mechanism and gene expression associated with division of labour. It also identifies and validates significant alternative splicing events correlated with development and division of labour.
INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Prabhat Khanal, Deepak Pandey, Geir Naess, Ana R. J. Cabrita, Antonio J. M. Fonseca, Margarida R. G. Maia, Bishnu Timilsina, Teun Veldkamp, Rumakanta Sapkota, Hege Overrein
Summary: This study evaluated the potential of using yellow mealworms reared with local agricultural by-products as an alternative feed for monogastric and ruminant animals. The nutritional properties and digestibility of mealworms raised on oat-based and wheat-based by-products were assessed. The gut microbiome of mealworm larvae was also studied. The results showed that mealworm larvae fed wheat-based by-products had higher crude fat and mineral content compared to those fed oat-based by-products. The nutritional profile of larvae and pupae differed from adults, with lower fiber and protein content but higher fat and energy levels. The amino acid contents and digestibility of larvae and pupae were similar to a commercial soybean meal. The gut microbiome of larvae showed plasticity in response to changes in nutritional status. These findings provide insights into the nutrition and gut microbiome of mealworms fed agricultural by-products, offering a potential sustainable and alternative animal feed source in the future.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Biology
Frederik Puffel, Lara Meyer, Natalie Imirzian, Flavio Roces, Richard Johnston, David Labonte
Summary: Many social insects exhibit age polyethism, where young workers stay in the nest and only older workers go out forage. This study investigates if the mechanical demands on the musculoskeletal system prevent young workers from foraging in Atta vollenweideri leaf-cutter ants. The results show that fully matured foragers have significantly higher bite forces and more developed mandible muscles and head capsules compared to freshly eclosed callows of the same size. This suggests that continued biomechanical development may be a key factor underlying age polyethism in situations with substantial mechanical demands.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mallory A. Hagadorn, Karlee Eck, Matthew Del Grosso, Xavier Haemmerle, William T. Wcislo, Karen M. Kapheim
Summary: Brain changes occur in social insects prior to or at the onset of certain experiences, potentially priming the brain for specific tasks. Age-related brain changes coinciding with sexual maturation in males have been found to be consistent, suggesting a functionally-relevant role in preparing male bees for mating. This age-related plasticity in males may indicate that developmentally-driven neural restructuring can occur even in species where it is absent in females.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Entomology
James H. Cane, Byron G. Love
Summary: Ground-nesting bees like Nomia melanderi have larval provisions with strong hygroscopic properties, allowing them to absorb significant amounts of water vapor from their preferred nesting soil, resulting in mature larvae weighing more than their consumed provision masses. In contrast, cavity-nesting bees such as Osmia species only absorb minimal water vapor from their nesting substrates, causing their mature larvae to weigh less than the provision they consumed. This phenomenon explains various nesting behaviors in these bee species, as well as the impact of hygroscopy on the microbial composition of their provision masses.
Article
Entomology
Larissa D. Ribeiro de Souza, Klaus Hartfelder
Summary: The expression of candidate genes associated with the transition from nurse to forager in stingless bees differs between species, possibly due to differences in worker reproduction. Specific gene expression in the head may be associated with foraging behavior.
Article
Entomology
Marcia Regina Faita, Erick Pereira, Alex Sandro Poltronieri
Summary: Stingless bees are important for pollination, but they can be affected by synthetic insecticides. This study evaluated the effects of three bioinsecticides on different stingless bee species. The results showed variation in tolerance and mortality among the bee species. The bioinsecticides were classified as harmless to moderately harmful, but Octane(& REG;)SC was found to be harmful to all three species. It is important to use these bioinsecticides with criteria that minimize harm to bees and promote sustainable agriculture.
JOURNAL OF APICULTURAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Kaitlin M. Baudier, Meghan M. Bennett, Meghan Barrett, Frank J. Cossio, Robert D. Wu, Sean O'Donnell, Theodore P. Pavlic, Jennifer H. Fewell
Summary: The study found that in eusocial stingless bees, soldiers have higher visual neural investment when performing visually demanding defense tasks, but this difference disappears as tasks change. Neural investment is otherwise similar across different task groups. Despite having larger task repertoires, soldiers have relatively smaller brain sizes compared to other workers.
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Raissa Santana Serra, Lucio Antonio Oliveira Campos, Jose Eduardo Serrao
Summary: This study on the stingless bee explored the difference between eggs laid by workers and eggs laid by queens in brood cells. The researchers found that the size of the eggs varied, with haploid eggs being more frequent when there were worker-laid eggs present. These findings suggest that workers are able to identify fertilization in eggs.
Article
Microbiology
Sabrina da Fonseca Meireles, Samara Ferreira dos Santos, Miriam Silva Rafael, Adolfo Jose da Mota, Carlos Gustavo Nunes da Silva
Summary: This study investigated the diversity of yeast communities associated with the nests of Amazonian stingless bees. Yeasts were isolated and identified using cultivation methods and restriction enzyme analysis. The results revealed a diverse community of yeasts belonging to various genera. The findings provide a model for further studies on the yeast diversity associated with stingless bees.
Article
Entomology
Tianfei Peng, Jeferson Pedrosa, Jaqueline Eterna Batista, Fabio S. Nascimento, Christoph Grueter
Summary: The tropical stingless bees have evolved complex communication systems to recruit nestmates to food locations, with some species able to accurately communicate location but not distance. Recent research indicates that Plebeia droryana can recruit nestmates to specific food sources, but without using social cues from conspecifics. The potential mechanism for this recruitment behavior remains unknown and requires further study.
ECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Thomas Wagner, Lena Bachenberg, Simone M. Glaser, Avgousta Oikonomou, Melissa Linn, Christoph Grueter
Summary: The study found that differences in size between leader and follower ants significantly reduced the success rate of tandem running, possibly due to varying walking speeds among ants of different sizes. In ant societies, phenotypic differences among workers may not always be beneficial for communication efficiency, sometimes leading to negative impacts.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND SOCIOBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Andres Arenas, Rocio Lajad, Tianfei Peng, Christoph Grueter, Walter Farina
Summary: The study showed that octopamine (OA) plays a role in influencing the decision-making process of honeybee foragers in collecting pollen or nectar, leading to a transition from nectar to pollen collection and an increase in the proportion of pollen collectors. The findings suggest that OA signaling affects the foragers' decisions on resource preferences.
GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Tianfei Peng, Dennis Derstroff, Lea Maus, Timo Bauer, Christoph Grueter
Summary: The study found that older foraging honeybees had higher expression of receptor genes in the mushroom bodies compared to younger foragers, while cumulative foraging activity was not related to receptor gene expression. Additionally, the foraging state of time-trained foragers affected receptor gene expression. Overall, the expression of receptor genes in forager mushroom bodies is complex and influenced by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors.
GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR
(2021)
Article
Entomology
S. M. Glaser, R. M. Feitosa, A. Koch, N. Goss, F. S. do Nascimento, C. Grueter
Summary: Tropical ants face intense intra- and interspecific competition for food sources, with recruitment communication helping colonies monopolize and exploit resources successfully. Mass-recruiting competitors are often successful in displacing focal colonies, but when foragers are able to recruit nestmates, they have a higher probability of retaining access to food sources. Competition is more intense after sunset, but an increase in activity post-sunset allows focal colonies to exploit food sources more successfully.
Article
Zoology
Robbie I'Anson Price, Francisca Segers, Amelia Berger, Fabio S. Nascimento, Christoph Gruter
Summary: Social information plays a crucial role in the animal kingdom, allowing individuals to obtain information without sampling the environment. However, the reasons behind why some species communicate foraging sites while others do not remain poorly understood. Contrary to expectations, stingless bees that recruit nestmates did not bring back higher quality forage than non-recruiting species, and foragers from recruiting species did not have shorter foraging trip durations.
Article
Biology
Natascha Goy, Simone M. Glaser, Christoph Grueter
Summary: Tandem running in ants is a communication strategy that involves teaching behavior, but its effectiveness varies in different environments. Factors such as the distribution of food sources, colony size, and the ratio of scouts to recruits play crucial roles in determining the success of tandem running communication.
JOURNAL OF THEORETICAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Francisca H. I. D. Segers, Christoph Gruter, Cristiano Menezes, Sidnei Mateus, Francis L. W. Ratnieks
Summary: Stingless bees exhibit great diversity in behavior, ecology, nest architecture, colony size, and worker morphology. This study found that nest-entrance architecture is correlated with important foraging and defense traits. Species with smaller eyes tend to build larger entrances, resulting in faster landing approaches and fewer landing errors by foragers. Additionally, mass-recruiting species have significantly larger entrance holes compared to species with solitary foraging strategies.
JOURNAL OF APICULTURAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Christoph Gruter, Lucy Hayes
Summary: Social bees have larger foraging ranges, which are further increased by their diet breadth and communication.
Article
Ecology
Lucy Hayes, Christoph Grueter
Summary: Many bee species exhibit flower constancy, especially social bees that use communication about food sources. A study aimed to understand the benefits of flower constancy in social bees and how these benefits depend on foraging conditions. Results showed that flower constancy alone was not successful, but when combined with communication, it considerably improved the foraging performance of bee colonies, especially in environments with abundant high-quality food sources and weak competition. The findings suggest that flower constancy can be an adaptive strategy in social bees and anthropogenic changes in foraging landscapes may affect bees with different levels of flower constancy differently.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Simone M. Glaser, Christoph Grueter
Summary: This article investigates the effects of social learning on individual foraging success of ants in different environmental conditions. The study found that social learners discovered better food sources than individual learners in rich environments, but collected less food during the trials. Interestingly, individual learners improved their success over time by switching food sources more frequently than social learners.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Denise A. Alves, Ebi A. George, Rajbir Kaur, Axel Brockmann, Michael Hrncir, Christoph Gruter
Summary: Communication is essential in animal societies, including eusocial bees, to tackle challenges and exploit resources efficiently. Various factors, such as social biology, ecological conditions, and anthropogenic activities, influence the communication strategies of bees. The impact of human activities on bees, such as habitat conversion and agrochemical use, highlights the need to study how bees adapt their foraging and communication strategies to these changes. This represents a new frontier in bee behavioral and conservation research.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Biology
Christoph Gruter, Maria Sol Balbuena, Lohan Valadares
Summary: Stingless bees are diverse and ecologically important pollinators in the tropics. The division of labour in these bees has been studied in only about 3% of the described species. The available data suggest that while there are similarities, there are also striking differences in division of labour compared to other social bees. Worker age and morphological variation, such as body size and brain structure, play important roles in determining worker tasks. Studying stingless bees can help confirm general patterns of division of labour and uncover novel mechanisms in eusocial bees.
CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE
(2023)