Book•
The Biology of the Honey Bee
01 Jan 1987-
TL;DR: This book describes the life cycle of a honey bee, focusing on the courtship and mating activities of Worker Bees and their role in the evolution of monogamy.
Abstract: 1. Introduction 2. The Origins and Evolutionary History of Bees 3. Form and Function: Honey Bee Anatomy 4. Development and Nutrition 5. Nest Architecture 6. The Age-Related Activities of Worker Bees 7. Other Worker Activities 8. The Chemical World of Honey Bees 9. Communication and Orientation 10. The Collection of Food 11. Reproduction: Swarming and Supersedure 12. Drones, Queens, and Mating 13. The Biology of Temperate and Tropical Honey Bees Reference Author Index Subject Index
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TL;DR: A key feature of the division of labor in insect colonies is its plasticity, which enables it to continue to grow, develop, and ultimately produce a new generation of reproductive males and females despite changing colony conditions.
Abstract: Division of labor is fundamental to the organization of insect societies and is thought to be one of the principal factors in their ecological success (174). Division of labor in insect colonies is characterized by two features: (a) different activities are performed simultaneously by (b) groups of specialized individuals, which is assumed to be more efficient than if tasks are performed sequentially by unspecialized individuals (55, 56, 93, 106; but see 37). A key feature of the division of labor in insect colonies is its plasticity. Colonies respond to changing internal and external conditions by adjusting the ratios of individual workers engaged in the various tasks. This is accomplished in large part via the behavioral flexibility of the individual workers themselves. Worker behavioral flexibility contributes to the reproductive success of a colony by enabling it to continue to grow, develop, and ultimately produce a new generation of reproductive males and females despite changing colony conditions. Sensitivity to change within a structured labor system is important to social organization, but only now are we beginning to understand this concept. The
1,160 citations
TL;DR: The links between metabolic rate andmaximum life span of mammals and birds as well as the linking role of membrane fatty acid composition in determining the maximum life span are reviewed.
Abstract: Maximum life span differences among animal species exceed life span variation achieved by experimental manipulation by orders of magnitude. The differences in the characteristic maximum life span o...
789 citations
Book•
27 Sep 2010TL;DR: This paper aims to demonstrate the efforts towards in-situ applicability of EMMARM, as to provide real-time information about the physical and social contexts in which individuals and institutions operate.
Abstract: Acknowledgments ix Chapter 1: Introduction 1 Chapter 2: Coming Together 14 Chapter 3: Information Transfer 44 Chapter 4: Making Decisions 77 Chapter 5: Moving Together 101 Chapter 6: Synchronization 130 Chapter 7: Structures 151 Chapter 8: Regulation 173 Chapter 9: Complicated Interactions 198 Chapter 10: The Evolution of Co-operation 223 Chapter 11: Conclusions 253 References 259 Index 293
755 citations
TL;DR: Study on the mechanism(s) of pollen digestion remain inconclusive, but suggest that differences in digestibility among pollen types may reflect differences in pollen wall porosity, thickness, and composition.
Abstract: This paper reviews the literature concerning digestion and nutrient content of pollen. Four topics are addressed in detail: 1) The mechanism of pollen digestion by animals; 2) The efficiency of mechanical and digestive removal of pollen content by various animals; 3) Range and taxonomic distribution of pollen nutrients, and 4) Adaptive hypotheses proposed to associate pollen chemistry with pollinator reward. Studies on the mechanism(s) of pollen digestion remain inconclusive, but suggest that differences in digestibility among pollen types may reflect differences in pollen wall porosity, thickness, and composition. Although hummingbirds reportedly digest pollen very poorly, most animals studied, including those that do not regularly consume pollen, can digest 50–100% of ingested grains. Overlooked and recent research of pollen protein content shows that pollen grains may contain over 60% protein, double the amount cited in some studies of pollen-feeding animals. Adaptive hypotheses that associate pollen starch and pollen caloric content with pollinator reward remain unsubstantiated when critically viewed through the lens of phylogeny.
590 citations
TL;DR: Five major areas of reproductive conflict in insect societies are reviewed: (a) sex allocation, (b) queen rearing, (c) male rearing), (d) queen-worker caste fate, and (e) breeding conflicts among totipotent adults.
Abstract: Although best known for cooperation, insect societies also manifest many potential conflicts among individuals. These conflicts involve both direct reproduction by individuals and manipulation of the reproduction of colony members. Here we review five major areas of reproductive conflict in insect societies: (a) sex allocation, (b) queen rearing, (c) male rearing, (d) queen-worker caste fate, and (e) breeding conflicts among totipotent adults. For each area we discuss the basis for conflict (potential conflict), whether conflict is expressed (actual conflict), whose interests prevail (conflict outcome), and the factors that reduce colony-level costs of conflict (conflict resolution), such as factors that cause workers to work rather than to lay eggs. Reproductive conflicts are widespread, sometimes having dramatic effects on the colony. However, three key factors (kinship, coercion, and constraint) typically combine to limit the effects of reproductive conflict and often lead to complete resolution.
586 citations