Institute of Biology, University of Graz, 8010, Graz, Austria.
J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol. 2021 May;207(3):337-351. doi: 10.1007/s00359-021-01464-8. Epub 2021 Feb 17.
The worldwide distribution of honeybees and their fast propagation to new areas rests on their ability to keep up optimal 'tropical conditions' in their brood nest both in the cold and in the heat. Honeybee colonies behave like 'superorganisms' where individuals work together to promote reproduction of the colony. Social cooperation has developed strongly in thermal homeostasis, which guarantees a fast and constant development of the brood. We here report on the cooperation of individuals in reaction to environmental variation to achieve thermal constancy of 34-36 °C. The measurement of body temperature together with bee density and in-hive microclimate showed that behaviours for hive heating or cooling are strongly interlaced and differ in their start values. When environmental temperature changes, heat production is adjusted both by regulation of bee density due to migration activity and by the degree of endothermy. Overheating of the brood is prevented by cooling with water droplets and increased fanning, which start already at moderate temperatures where heat production and bee density are still at an increased level. This interlaced change and onset of different thermoregulatory behaviours guarantees a graded adaptation of individual behaviour to stabilise the temperature of the brood.
蜜蜂在全球范围内的分布及其向新地区的快速传播依赖于它们在寒冷和炎热条件下在巢中保持最佳“热带条件”的能力。蜜蜂群体表现得像“超个体”，个体之间相互协作以促进群体的繁殖。在热稳态方面，社会合作得到了极大的发展，这保证了幼虫的快速和稳定发育。我们在这里报告了个体在应对环境变化时为实现 34-36°C 的热恒定性而进行的合作。体温测量、蜜蜂密度和巢内小气候的测量表明，巢内加热或冷却的行为是强烈交织的，起始值也不同。当环境温度发生变化时，通过由于迁移活动而导致的蜜蜂密度的调节以及通过吸热的程度来调节产热。通过用水滴冷却和增加扇风来防止幼虫过热，这在产热和蜜蜂密度仍处于较高水平的中等温度下就已经开始了。这种交织的变化和不同的体温调节行为的开始保证了个体行为的分级适应，以稳定幼虫的温度。
