Olfactory Lateralization in Bumble Bees
Author Information
Author(s): Anfora Gianfranco, Rigosi Elisa, Frasnelli Elisa, Ruga Vincenza, Trona Federica, Vallortigara Giorgio
Primary Institution: Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all'Adige, Italy
Hypothesis
Population-level asymmetries in olfactory learning in bumble bees may have evolved under social selective pressures.
Conclusion
Bumble bees show a right-side dominance in olfactory learning, indicating a link between social behavior and brain lateralization.
Supporting Evidence
- Bumble bees trained with their right antenna showed better learning performance than those trained with their left antenna.
- Electroantennographic responses did not show significant antennal asymmetries in odour detection.
- Morphological analysis revealed a predominance of olfactory sensilla in the right antenna.
Takeaway
Bumble bees learn better with their right antenna, which might help them work better with other bees in their colony.
Methodology
Bumble bees were trained using the proboscis extension reflex paradigm with one antenna in use to assess olfactory learning.
Limitations
The study focused only on one species of bumble bee and may not generalize to other species.
Participant Demographics
Female bumble bee foragers from a single colony.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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