1
|
Albers J, Reichert MS. Personality affects individual variation in olfactory learning and reversal learning in the house cricket, Acheta domesticus. Anim Behav 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2022.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
|
2
|
Effects of aversive conditioning on expression of physiological stress in honey bees (Apis mellifera). Neurobiol Learn Mem 2020; 178:107363. [PMID: 33333317 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2020.107363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Stress is defined as any deviation from an organism's baseline physiological levels. Therefore, introduction of new stimuli and information, such as in learning, can be defined as a stressor. A large body of research exists examining the role that stress plays in learning, but virtually none addresses whether or not learning itself is a measurable cause of stress. The current study used a wide variety of learning centric stress responses. Researchers examined changes in expression of ten stress and learning related genes in various physiological systems in domesticated honey bees (Apis mellifera) as a result of exposure to an aversive conditioning task. Gene expression was examined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction following the learning task. Results indicate that learning affects expression of some stress related genes.
Collapse
|
3
|
Delkash-Roudsari S, Chicas-Mosier AM, Goldansaz SH, Talebi-Jahromi K, Ashouri A, Abramson CI. Assessment of lethal and sublethal effects of imidacloprid, ethion, and glyphosate on aversive conditioning, motility, and lifespan in honey bees (Apis mellifera L.). ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2020; 204:111108. [PMID: 32798750 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Honeybees (Apis mellifera) play an important role in agriculture worldwide. Several factors including agrochemicals can affect honey bee health including habitat fragmentation, pesticide application, and pests. The growing human population and subsequent increasing crop production have led to widespread use of agrochemicals and there is growing concern that pollinators are being negatively impacted by these pesticides. The present study compares acute exposure to imidacloprid (0.2 and 0.4 mgL-1), ethion (80 and 106.7 mgL-1) or glyphosate (0.12 and 0.24 mgL-1) on aversive learning and movement, to chronic exposure at these and higher concentrations on movement, circadian rhythms, and survival in honey bee foragers. For acute learning studies, a blue/yellow shuttle box experiment was conducted; we observed honey bee choice following aversive and neutral stimuli. In learning studies, control bees spent >50% of the time on yellow which is not consistent with previous color bias literature in the subspecies or region of the study. The learning apparatus was also used to estimate mobility effects within 20 min of exposure. Chronic exposure (up to 2 weeks) with the above metrics was recorded by an automated monitoring system. In chronic exposure experiments, RoundUp®, was also tested to compare to its active ingredient, glyphosate. We found that imidacloprid and ethion have negative impacts on aversive learning and movement following a single-dose and that chronic exposure effects were dose-dependent for these two insecticides. In contrast, glyphosate had no effect on learning and less of an effect on movement; RoundUp® showed dose-dependent results on circadian rhythmicity. Overall, the results suggest that short-term exposure to imidacloprid and ethion adversely affect honey bee foragers and chronic exposure to glyphosate may affect pollination success.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Delkash-Roudsari
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran; Department of Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
| | - Ana M Chicas-Mosier
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA; Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn AL, USA
| | - Seyed Hossein Goldansaz
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
| | - Khalil Talebi-Jahromi
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
| | - Ahmad Ashouri
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
| | - Charles I Abramson
- Department of Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA; Department of Integrative Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Chicas‐Mosier AM, Radi M, Lafferrandre J, O'Hara JF, Vora HD, Abramson CI. Low Strength Magnetic Fields Serve as a Cue for Foraging Honey Bees but Prior Experience is More Indicative of Choice. Bioelectromagnetics 2020; 41:458-470. [DOI: 10.1002/bem.22285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ana M. Chicas‐Mosier
- Department of Integrative Biology Oklahoma State University Stillwater Stillwater Oklahoma
| | - Medhat Radi
- Department of Pest Physiology Plant Protection Research Institute Dokki Egypt
| | - Jack Lafferrandre
- Department of Psychology Oklahoma State University Stillwater Stillwater Oklahoma
| | - John F. O'Hara
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering Oklahoma State University Stillwater Oklahoma
| | - Hitesh D. Vora
- Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology Oklahoma State University Stillwater Oklahoma
| | - Charles I. Abramson
- Department of Integrative Biology Oklahoma State University Stillwater Stillwater Oklahoma
- Department of Psychology Oklahoma State University Stillwater Stillwater Oklahoma
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Varnon CA, Dinges CW, Vest AJ, Abramson CI. Conspecific and interspecific stimuli reduce initial performance in an aversive learning task in honey bees (Apis mellifera). PLoS One 2020; 15:e0228161. [PMID: 32097420 PMCID: PMC7041878 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this experiment was to investigate whether honey bees (Apis mellifera) are able to use social discriminative stimuli in a spatial aversive conditioning paradigm. We tested bees' ability to avoid shock in a shuttle box apparatus across multiple groups when either shock, or the absence of shock, was associated with a live hive mate, a dead hive mate, a live Polistes exclamans wasp or a dead wasp. Additionally, we used several control groups common to bee shuttle box research where shock was only associated with spatial cues, or where shock was associated with a blue or yellow color. While bees were able to learn the aversive task in a simple spatial discrimination, the presence of any other stimuli (color, another bee, or a wasp) reduced initial performance. While the color biases we discovered are in line with other experiments, the finding that the presence of another animal reduces performance is novel. Generally, it appears that the use of bees or wasps as stimuli initially causes an increase in overall activity that interferes with early performance in the spatial task. During the course of the experiment, the bees habituate to the insect stimuli (bee or wasp), and begin learning the aversive task. Additionally, we found that experimental subject bees did not discriminate between bees or wasps used as stimulus animals, nor did they discriminate between live or dead stimulus animals. This may occur, in part, due to the specialized nature of the worker honey bee. Results are discussed with implications for continual research on honey bees as models of aversive learning, as well as research on insect social learning in general.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A. Varnon
- Laboratory of Comparative Psychology and Behavioral Ecology, Department of Psychology, Converse College, Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Christopher W. Dinges
- Laboratory of Comparative Psychology and Behavioral Biology, Department of Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Adam J. Vest
- Laboratory of Comparative Psychology and Behavioral Biology, Department of Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Charles I. Abramson
- Laboratory of Comparative Psychology and Behavioral Biology, Department of Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Nouvian M, Galizia CG. Aversive Training of Honey Bees in an Automated Y-Maze. Front Physiol 2019; 10:678. [PMID: 31231238 PMCID: PMC6558987 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Honeybees have remarkable learning abilities given their small brains, and have thus been established as a powerful model organism for the study of learning and memory. Most of our current knowledge is based on appetitive paradigms, in which a previously neutral stimulus (e.g., a visual, olfactory, or tactile stimulus) is paired with a reward. Here, we present a novel apparatus, the yAPIS, for aversive training of walking honey bees. This system consists in three arms of equal length and at 120° from each other. Within each arm, colored lights (λ = 375, 465 or 520 nm) or odors (here limonene or linalool) can be delivered to provide conditioned stimuli (CS). A metal grid placed on the floor and roof delivers the punishment in the form of mild electric shocks (unconditioned stimulus, US). Our training protocol followed a fully classical procedure, in which the bee was exposed sequentially to a CS paired with shocks (CS+) and to another CS not punished (CS-). Learning performance was measured during a second phase, which took advantage of the Y-shape of the apparatus and of real-time tracking to present the bee with a choice situation, e.g., between the CS+ and the CS-. Bees reliably chose the CS- over the CS+ after only a few training trials with either colors or odors, and retained this memory for at least a day, except for the shorter wavelength (λ = 375 nm) that produced mixed results. This behavior was largely the result of the bees avoiding the CS+, as no evidence was found for attraction to the CS-. Interestingly, trained bees initially placed in the CS+ spontaneously escaped to a CS- arm if given the opportunity, even though they could never do so during the training. Finally, honey bees trained with compound stimuli (color + odor) later avoided either components of the CS+. Thus, the yAPIS is a fast, versatile and high-throughput way to train honey bees in aversive paradigms. It also opens the door for controlled laboratory experiments investigating bimodal integration and learning, a field that remains in its infancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Morgane Nouvian
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - C. Giovanni Galizia
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Abstract
Observation Oriented Modeling was proposed to overcome some of the problems in the application of statistical inference methods in the behavioral sciences. In this paper, we refine one part of this approach and show how it is connected to methods that are well known in statistical learning. Specifically, we argue that the Moore-Penrose pseudo inverse is superior to the initial solution from a statistical point of view. With this we also show that Observation Oriented Modeling can indeed be appropriate for some tasks in the analysis of observed data. To provide a practical example, we demonstrate the revised method by analyzing the effect of mindfulness training on attentional processes.
Collapse
|
8
|
Pérez Claudio E, Rodriguez-Cruz Y, Arslan OC, Giray T, Agosto Rivera JL, Kence M, Wells H, Abramson CI. Appetitive reversal learning differences of two honey bee subspecies with different foraging behaviors. PeerJ 2018; 6:e5918. [PMID: 30498631 PMCID: PMC6252072 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We aimed to examine mechanistically the observed foraging differences across two honey bee, Apis mellifera, subspecies using the proboscis extension response assay. Specifically, we compared differences in appetitive reversal learning ability between honey bee subspecies: Apis mellifera caucasica (Pollman), and Apis mellifera syriaca (Skorikov) in a "common garden" apiary. It was hypothesized that specific learning differences could explain previously observed foraging behavior differences of these subspecies: A.m. caucasica switches between different flower color morphs in response to reward variability, and A.m. syriaca does not switch. We suggest that flower constancy allows reduced exposure by minimizing search and handling time, whereas plasticity is important when maximizing harvest in preparation for long winter is at a premium. In the initial or Acquisition phase of the test we examined specifically discrimination learning, where bees were trained to respond to a paired conditioned stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus and not to respond to a second conditioned stimulus that is not followed by an unconditioned stimulus. We found no significant differences among the subspecies in the Acquisition phase in appetitive learning. During the second, Reversal phase of the experiment, where flexibility in association was tested, the paired and unpaired conditioned stimuli were reversed. During the Reversal phase A.m. syriaca showed a reduced ability to learn the reverse association in the appetitive learning task. This observation is consistent with the hypothesis that A.m. syriaca foragers cannot change the foraging choice because of lack of flexibility in appetitive associations under changing contingencies. Interestingly, both subspecies continued responding to the previously rewarded conditioned stimulus in the reversal phase. We discuss potential ecological correlates and molecular underpinnings of these differences in learning across the two subspecies. In addition, in a supplemental experiment we demonstrated that these differences in appetitive reversal learning do not occur in other learning contexts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eddie Pérez Claudio
- Department of Biology, Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Rio Piedras, San Juan, PR, USA
| | - Yoselyn Rodriguez-Cruz
- Department of Science and Mathematics, Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico, Bayamon, PR, USA
| | - Okan Can Arslan
- Department of Biology, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Tugrul Giray
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR, USA
| | | | - Meral Kence
- Department of Biology, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Harrington Wells
- Department of Biological Science, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
|
10
|
Varnon CA, Dinges CW, Black TE, Wells H, Abramson CI. Failure to Find Ethanol-Induced Conditioned Taste Aversion in Honey Bees (Apis mellifera L.). Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2018; 42:1260-1270. [PMID: 29687910 DOI: 10.1111/acer.13761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 04/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Conditioned taste aversion (CTA) learning is a highly specialized form of conditioning found across taxa that leads to avoidance of an initially neutral stimulus, such as taste or odor, that is associated with, but is not the cause of, a detrimental health condition. This study examines if honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) develop ethanol (EtOH)-induced CTA. METHODS Restrained bees were first administered a sucrose solution that was cinnamon scented, lavender scented, or unscented, and contained either 0, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20% EtOH. Then, 30 minutes later, we used a proboscis extension response (PER) conditioning procedure where the bees were taught to associate either cinnamon odor, lavender odor, or an air-puff with repeated sucrose feedings. For some bees, the odor of the previously consumed EtOH solution was the same as the odor associated with sucrose in the conditioning procedure. If bees are able to learn EtOH-induced CTA, they should show an immediate low level of response to odors previously associated with EtOH. RESULTS We found that bees did not develop CTA despite the substantial inhibitory and aversive effects EtOH has on behavior. Instead, bees receiving a conditioning odor that was previously associated with EtOH showed an immediate high level of response. While this demonstrates bees are capable of one-trial learning common to CTA experiments, this high level of response is the opposite of what would occur if the bees developed a CTA. Responding on subsequent trials also showed a general inhibitory effect of EtOH. Finally, we found that consumption of cinnamon extract reduced the effects of EtOH. CONCLUSIONS The honey bees' lack of learned avoidance to EtOH mirrors that seen in human alcoholism. These findings demonstrate the usefulness of honey bees as an insect model for EtOH consumption.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Timothy E Black
- Department of Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma
| | - Harrington Wells
- Department of Biological Science, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma
| | - Charles I Abramson
- Department of Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Avalos A, Pérez E, Vallejo L, Pérez ME, Abramson CI, Giray T. Social signals and aversive learning in honey bee drones and workers. Biol Open 2017; 6:41-49. [PMID: 27895050 PMCID: PMC5278427 DOI: 10.1242/bio.021543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The dissemination of information is a basic element of group cohesion. In honey bees (Apis mellifera Linnaeus 1758), like in other social insects, the principal method for colony-wide information exchange is communication via pheromones. This medium of communication allows multiple individuals to conduct tasks critical to colony survival. Social signaling also establishes conflict at the level of the individual who must trade-off between attending to the immediate environment or the social demand. In this study we examined this conflict by challenging highly social worker honey bees, and less social male drone honey bees undergoing aversive training by presenting them with a social stress signal (isopentyl acetate, IPA). We utilized IPA exposure methods that caused lower learning performance in appetitive learning in workers. Exposure to isopentyl acetate (IPA) did not affect performance of drones and had a dose-specific effect on worker response, with positive effects diminishing at higher IPA doses. The IPA effects are specific because non-social cues, such as the odor cineole, improve learning performance in drones, and social homing signals (geraniol) did not have a discernible effect on drone or worker performance. We conclude that social signals do generate conflict and that response to them is dependent on signal relevance to the individual as well as the context. We discuss the effect of social signal on learning both related to its social role and potential evolutionary history.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arian Avalos
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Eddie Pérez
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR 00931, USA
| | - Lianna Vallejo
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR 00931, USA
| | - María E Pérez
- Department of Mathematics, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR 00931, USA
| | - Charles I Abramson
- Department of Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74074, USA
| | - Tugrul Giray
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR 00931, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Liu JL, Chen HL, Chen XY, Cui RK, Guerrero A, Zeng XN. Factors influencing aversive learning in the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2016; 203:57-65. [PMID: 27909789 DOI: 10.1007/s00359-016-1135-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Revised: 11/16/2016] [Accepted: 11/17/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Parameters such as the intensity of conditioned and unconditioned stimuli, the inter-trial interval, and starvation time can influence learning. In this study, the parameters that govern aversive learning in the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis, a serious pest of fruits and vegetables, were examined. Male flies were trained to associate the attractive odorant methyl eugenol, a male lure, with a food punishment, sodium chloride solution, and the conditioned suppression of the proboscis-extension response was investigated. We found that high methyl eugenol concentrations support a stronger association. With increasing concentrations of sodium chloride solution, a steady decrease of proboscis-extension response during six training trials was observed. A high level of learning was achieved with an inter-trial interval of 1-10 min. However, extending the inter-trial interval to 15 min led to reduced learning. No effect of physiological status (starvation time) on learning performance was detected, nor was any non-associative learning effect induced by the repeat presentation of odor or punishment alone. The memory formed after six training trials could be retained for at least 3 h. Our results indicate that aversive learning by oriental fruit flies can be affected by odor, punishment concentration and inter-trial interval.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J L Liu
- Key Laboratory of Natural Pesticide and Chemical Biology of the Ministry of Education, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - H L Chen
- Key Laboratory of Natural Pesticide and Chemical Biology of the Ministry of Education, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - X Y Chen
- Key Laboratory of Natural Pesticide and Chemical Biology of the Ministry of Education, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - R K Cui
- Key Laboratory of Natural Pesticide and Chemical Biology of the Ministry of Education, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - A Guerrero
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Modelling, IQAC (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - X N Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Natural Pesticide and Chemical Biology of the Ministry of Education, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Abramson CI, Dinges CW, Wells H. Operant Conditioning in Honey Bees (Apis mellifera L.): The Cap Pushing Response. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0162347. [PMID: 27626797 PMCID: PMC5023167 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0162347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2016] [Accepted: 08/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The honey bee has been an important model organism for studying learning and memory. More recently, the honey bee has become a valuable model to understand perception and cognition. However, the techniques used to explore psychological phenomena in honey bees have been limited to only a few primary methodologies such as the proboscis extension reflex, sting extension reflex, and free flying target discrimination-tasks. Methods to explore operant conditioning in bees and other invertebrates are not as varied as with vertebrates. This may be due to the availability of a suitable response requirement. In this manuscript we offer a new method to explore operant conditioning in honey bees: the cap pushing response (CPR). We used the CPR to test for difference in learning curves between novel auto-shaping and more traditional explicit-shaping. The CPR protocol requires bees to exhibit a novel behavior by pushing a cap to uncover a food source. Using the CPR protocol we tested the effects of both explicit-shaping and auto-shaping techniques on operant conditioning. The goodness of fit and lack of fit of these data to the Rescorla-Wagner learning-curve model, widely used in classical conditioning studies, was tested. The model fit well to both control and explicit-shaping results, but only for a limited number of trials. Learning ceased rather than continuing to asymptotically approach the physiological most accurate possible. Rate of learning differed between shaped and control bee treatments. Learning rate was about 3 times faster for shaped bees, but for all measures of proficiency control and shaped bees reached the same level. Auto-shaped bees showed one-trial learning rather than the asymptotic approach to a maximal efficiency. However, in terms of return-time, the auto-shaped bees’ learning did not carry over to the covered-well test treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charles I. Abramson
- Laboratory of Comparative Psychology and Behavioral Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Christopher W. Dinges
- Laboratory of Comparative Psychology and Behavioral Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Harrington Wells
- Department of Biology, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Wolf S, Chittka L. Male bumblebees, Bombus terrestris, perform equally well as workers in a serial colour-learning task. Anim Behav 2016; 111:147-155. [PMID: 26877542 PMCID: PMC4712640 DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2015.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The learning capacities of males and females may differ with sex-specific behavioural requirements. Bumblebees provide a useful model system to explore how different lifestyles are reflected in learning abilities, because their (female but sterile) workers and males engage in fundamentally different behaviour routines. Bumblebee males, like workers, embark on active flower foraging but in contrast to workers they have to trade off their feeding with mate search, potentially affecting their abilities to learn and utilize floral cues efficiently during foraging. We used a serial colour-learning task with freely flying males and workers to compare their ability to flexibly learn visual floral cues with reward in a foraging scenario that changed over time. Male bumblebees did not differ from workers in both their learning speed and their ability to overcome previously acquired associations, when these ceased to predict reward. In all foraging tasks we found a significant improvement in choice accuracy in both sexes over the course of the training. In both sexes, the characteristics of the foraging performance depended largely on the colour difference of the two presented feeder types. Large colour distances entailed fast and reliable learning of the rewarding feeders whereas choice accuracy on highly similar colours improved significantly more slowly. Conversely, switching from a learned feeder type to a novel one was fastest for similar feeder colours and slow for highly different ones. Overall, we show that behavioural sex dimorphism in bumblebees did not affect their learning abilities beyond the mating context. We discuss the possible drivers and limitations shaping the foraging abilities of males and workers and implications for pollination ecology. We also suggest stingless male bumblebees as an advantageous alternative model system for the study of pollinator cognition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Wolf
- Department of Experimental and Biological Psychology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, U.K
| | - Lars Chittka
- Department of Experimental and Biological Psychology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, U.K
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
An assessment of horse (Equus ferus caballus) responding on fixed interval schedules of reinforcement: An individual analysis. Behav Processes 2015; 120:1-13. [PMID: 26297471 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2015.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2015] [Revised: 08/05/2015] [Accepted: 08/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
We assessed different measures of temporal control of horse (N=16) responding on fixed interval schedules of reinforcement and a peak procedure. Subjects were trained to insert their heads into a response hoop to break an infrared beam in order to receive horse treats from an automatic feeder. We analyzed cumulative response records, binned response levels, quarter life, latency to first response, breakpoint, and inter-response patterns of the fixed interval trials. To analyze the peak procedure trials, we performed a series of bin analyses. To avoid potential pitfalls associated with aggregate analyses, we performed individual trial and subject analyses using an ordinal analysis within Observation Oriented Modeling. Most subjects produced clear indications that responding came under temporal control of the fixed interval schedules for most of our investigated measures, and some subjects' response levels peaked at half of the peak trial intervals. We provide the first quantitative evidence of equine timing performances using protocols based on fixed interval schedules of reinforcement.
Collapse
|
16
|
Galindo-Cardona A, Monmany AC, Diaz G, Giray T. A Landscape Analysis to Understand Orientation of Honey Bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Drones in Puerto Rico. ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY 2015; 44:1139-1148. [PMID: 26314058 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvv099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2013] [Accepted: 06/09/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Honey bees [Apis mellifera L. (Apidae, Hymenoptera)] show spatial learning behavior or orientation, in which animals make use of structured home ranges for their daily activities. Worker (female) orientation has been studied more extensively than drone (male) orientation. Given the extensive and large flight range of drones as part of their reproductive biology, the study of drone orientation may provide new insight on landscape features important for orientation. We report the return rate and orientation of drones released at three distances (1, 2, and 4 km) and at the four cardinal points from an apiary located in Gurabo, Puerto Rico. We used high-resolution aerial photographs to describe landscape characteristics at the releasing sites and at the apiary. Analyses of variance were used to test significance among returning times from different distances and directions. A principal components analysis was used to describe the landscape at the releasing sites and generalized linear models were used to identify landscape characteristics that influenced the returning times of drones. Our results showed for the first time that drones are able to return from as far as 4 km from the colony. Distance to drone congregation area, orientation, and tree lines were the most important landscape characteristics influencing drone return rate. We discuss the role of landscape in drone orientation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Galindo-Cardona
- Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco Semiárido, IIACS-INTA. Chañar Pozo s/n (4113), Leales, Tucumán, Argentina.
| | - A C Monmany
- Instituto de Ecología Regional, IER-LIEY. C.C. 34 (4107), Yerba Buena, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - G Diaz
- University of Puerto Rico, Department of Biology, P.O.Box 23360, San Juan, PR 00931-3360
| | - T Giray
- University of Puerto Rico, Department of Biology, P.O.Box 23360, San Juan, PR 00931-3360
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Lichtenstein L, Sommerlandt FMJ, Spaethe J. Dumb and Lazy? A Comparison of Color Learning and Memory Retrieval in Drones and Workers of the Buff-Tailed Bumblebee, Bombus terrestris, by Means of PER Conditioning. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0134248. [PMID: 26230643 PMCID: PMC4521843 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0134248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
More than 100 years ago, Karl von Frisch showed that honeybee workers learn and discriminate colors. Since then, many studies confirmed the color learning capabilities of females from various hymenopteran species. Yet, little is known about visual learning and memory in males despite the fact that in most bee species males must take care of their own needs and must find rewarding flowers to obtain food. Here we used the proboscis extension response (PER) paradigm to study the color learning capacities of workers and drones of the bumblebee, Bombus terrestris. Light stimuli were paired with sucrose reward delivered to the insects' antennae and inducing a reflexive extension of the proboscis. We evaluated color learning (i.e. conditioned PER to color stimuli) in absolute and differential conditioning protocols and mid-term memory retention was measured two hours after conditioning. Different monochromatic light stimuli in combination with neutral density filters were used to ensure that the bumblebees could only use chromatic and not achromatic (e.g. brightness) information. Furthermore, we tested if bees were able to transfer the learned information from the PER conditioning to a novel discrimination task in a Y-maze. Both workers and drones were capable of learning and discriminating between monochromatic light stimuli and retrieved the learned stimulus after two hours. Drones performed as well as workers during conditioning and in the memory test, but failed in the transfer test in contrast to workers. Our data clearly show that bumblebees can learn to associate a color stimulus with a sugar reward in PER conditioning and that both workers and drones reach similar acquisition and mid-term retention performances. Additionally, we provide evidence that only workers transfer the learned information from a Pavlovian to an operant situation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leonie Lichtenstein
- Department of Behavioral Physiology and Sociobiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Frank M. J. Sommerlandt
- Department of Behavioral Physiology and Sociobiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Spaethe
- Department of Behavioral Physiology and Sociobiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
The effect of ethanol on reversal learning in honey bees (Apis mellifera anatolica): Response inhibition in a social insect model. Alcohol 2015; 49:245-58. [PMID: 25837483 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2015.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2014] [Revised: 02/24/2015] [Accepted: 02/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the effects of ethanol on reversal learning in honey bees (Apis mellifera anatolica). The rationale behind the present experiment was to determine the species generality of the effect of ethanol on response inhibition. Subjects were originally trained to associate either a cinnamon or lavender odor with a sucrose feeding before a reversal of the conditioned stimuli. We administered 15 μL of ethanol at varying doses (0%, 2.5%, 5%, 10%, or 20%) according to group assignment. Ethanol was either administered 5 min before original discrimination training or 5 min before the stimuli reversal. We analyzed the effects of these three manipulations via a recently developed individual analysis that eschews aggregate assessments in favor of a model that conceptualizes learning as occurring in individual organisms. We measured responding in the presence of conditioned stimuli associated with a sucrose feeding, responding in the presence of conditioned stimuli associated with distilled water, and responding in the presence of the unconditioned stimulus (sucrose). Our analyses revealed the ethanol dose manipulation lowered responding for all three measures at increasingly higher doses, which suggests ethanol served as a general behavioral suppressor. Consistent with previous ethanol reversal literature, we found administering ethanol before the original discrimination phase or before the reversal produced inconsistent patterns of responding at varying ethanol doses.
Collapse
|
19
|
Aquino IDS, Silva MC, Barbosa ADS, Abramson CI. APRENDIZAGEM DA EXTENSÃO DA PROBÓSCIDE EM ZANGÕES AFRICANIZADOS (Apis mellifera L.) CONFINADOS. CIÊNCIA ANIMAL BRASILEIRA 2015. [DOI: 10.1590/1089-6891v16i122587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Estudos sobre a aprendizagem olfativa em abelhas (Apis mellifera L.) são predominantes nas operárias. Neste estudo, utilizou-se o condicionamento clássico da extensão da probóscide (PER) para avaliar o efeito de 5 odores como estímulos condicionantes (EC). Foram utilizados dez grupos de 20 zangões (A. mellifera L.) cada. Os estímulos condicionantes foram Citral, Hexanal, Geraniol, cera de abelha em favo e cera de abelha alveolada. Além da aquisição de aprendizagem, mediu-se a persistência do condicionamento quando o estímulo incondicional (EI) não foi mais oferecido (i.e. extinção). O intervalo entre testes, o tempo de apresentação de EC e EI foram10 minutos, 2 segundos e 3 segundos, respectivamente. Os zangões foram capazes de demonstrar condicionamento e armazenamento de informação. Citral, Hexanal e cera de abelha foram os estímulos mais eficientes no condicionamento clássico (CC) com zangões.
Collapse
|
20
|
Giray T, Abramson CI, Chicas-Mosier A, Brewster T, Hayes C, Rivera-Vega K, Williams M, Wells H. Effect of octopamine manipulation on honeybee decision making: reward and cost differences associated with foraging. Anim Behav 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2014.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
|
21
|
Giannoni-Guzmán MA, Giray T, Agosto-Rivera JL, Stevison BK, Freeman B, Ricci P, Brown EA, Abramson CI. Ethanol-induced effects on sting extension response and punishment learning in the western honey bee (Apis mellifera). PLoS One 2014; 9:e100894. [PMID: 24988309 PMCID: PMC4079248 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0100894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2013] [Accepted: 05/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute ethanol administration is associated with sedation and analgesia as well as behavioral disinhibition and memory loss but the mechanisms underlying these effects remain to be elucidated. During the past decade, insects have emerged as important model systems to understand the neural and genetic bases of alcohol effects. However, novel assays to assess ethanol's effects on complex behaviors in social or isolated contexts are necessary. Here we used the honey bee as an especially relevant model system since bees are typically exposed to ethanol in nature when collecting standing nectar crop of flowers, and there is recent evidence for independent biological significance of this exposure for social behavior. Bee's inhibitory control of the sting extension response (SER) and a conditioned-place aversion assay were used to study ethanol effects on analgesia, behavioral disinhibition, and associative learning. Our findings indicate that although ethanol, in a dose-dependent manner, increases SER thresholds (analgesic effects), it disrupts the ability of honey bees to inhibit SER and to associate aversive stimuli with their environment. These results suggest that ethanol's effects on analgesia, behavioral disinhibition and associative learning are common across vertebrates and invertebrates. These results add to the use of honey bees as an ethanol model to understand ethanol's effects on complex, socially relevant behaviors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Tugrul Giray
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | | | - Blake K. Stevison
- Laboratory of Behavioral Biology and Comparative Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Brett Freeman
- Laboratory of Behavioral Biology and Comparative Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Paige Ricci
- Laboratory of Behavioral Biology and Comparative Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Erika A. Brown
- Laboratory of Behavioral Biology and Comparative Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Charles I. Abramson
- Laboratory of Behavioral Biology and Comparative Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Craig DPA, Varnon CA, Sokolowski MBC, Wells H, Abramson CI. An assessment of fixed interval timing in free-flying honey bees (Apis mellifera ligustica): an analysis of individual performance. PLoS One 2014; 9:e101262. [PMID: 24983960 PMCID: PMC4077790 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0101262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2014] [Accepted: 06/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Interval timing is a key element of foraging theory, models of predator avoidance, and competitive interactions. Although interval timing is well documented in vertebrate species, it is virtually unstudied in invertebrates. In the present experiment, we used free-flying honey bees (Apis mellifera ligustica) as a model for timing behaviors. Subjects were trained to enter a hole in an automated artificial flower to receive a nectar reinforcer (i.e. reward). Responses were continuously reinforced prior to exposure to either a fixed interval (FI) 15-sec, FI 30-sec, FI 60-sec, or FI 120-sec reinforcement schedule. We measured response rate and post-reinforcement pause within each fixed interval trial between reinforcers. Honey bees responded at higher frequencies earlier in the fixed interval suggesting subject responding did not come under traditional forms of temporal control. Response rates were lower during FI conditions compared to performance on continuous reinforcement schedules, and responding was more resistant to extinction when previously reinforced on FI schedules. However, no "scalloped" or "break-and-run" patterns of group or individual responses reinforced on FI schedules were observed; no traditional evidence of temporal control was found. Finally, longer FI schedules eventually caused all subjects to cease returning to the operant chamber indicating subjects did not tolerate the longer FI schedules.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Christopher A. Varnon
- Department of Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | | | - Harrington Wells
- Department of Biology, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Charles I. Abramson
- Department of Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Individual responsiveness to shock and colony-level aggression in honey bees: evidence for a genetic component. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2014; 68:761-771. [PMID: 25729126 DOI: 10.1007/s00265-014-1689-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The phenotype of the social group is related to phenotypes of individuals that form that society. We examined how honey bee colony aggressiveness relates to individual response of male drones and foraging workers. Although the natural focus in colony aggression has been on the worker caste, the sterile females engaged in colony maintenance and defense, males carry the same genes. We measured aggressiveness scores of colonies and examined components of individual aggressive behavior in workers and haploid sons of workers from the same colony. We describe for the first time, that males, although they have no stinger, do bend their abdomen (abdominal flexion) in a posture similar to stinging behavior of workers in response to electric shock. Individual worker sting response and movement rates in response to shock were significantly correlated with colony scores. In the case of drones, sons of workers from the same colonies, abdominal flexion significantly correlated but their movement rates did not correlate with colony aggressiveness. Furthermore, the number of workers responding at increasing levels of voltage exhibits a threshold-like response, whereas the drones respond in increasing proportion to shock. We conclude that there are common and caste-specific components to aggressive behavior in honey bees. We discuss implications of these results on social and behavioral regulation and genetics of aggressive response.
Collapse
|
24
|
The First Order Transfer Function in the Analysis of Agrochemical Data in Honey Bees (Apis Mellifera L.): Proboscis Extension Reflex (PER) Studies. INSECTS 2014; 5:167-98. [PMID: 26462584 PMCID: PMC4592627 DOI: 10.3390/insects5010167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2013] [Revised: 11/04/2013] [Accepted: 12/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This paper describes a mathematical model of the learning process suitable for studies of conditioning using the proboscis extension reflex (PER) in honey bees when bees are exposed to agrochemicals. Although procedural variations exist in the way laboratories use the PER paradigm, proboscis conditioning is widely used to investigate the influence of pesticides and repellents on honey bee learning. Despite the availability of several mathematical models of the learning process, no attempts have been made to apply a mathematical model to the learning curve in honey bees exposed to agrochemicals. Our model is based on the standard transfer function in the form Y = B3e−B2 (X−1) + B4 (1−e−B2 (X−1)) where X is the trial number, Y is the proportion of correct responses, B2 is the learning rate, B3 is readiness to learn, and B4 is ability to learn. We reanalyze previously published data on the effect of several classes of agrochemicals including: (1) those that are considered harmless to bees (e.g., pymetrozine, essential oils, dicofol); (2) sublethal exposure to pesticides known to harm honey bees (e.g., coumaphos, cyfluthrin, fluvalinate, permethrin); and (3) putative repellents of honey bees (e.g., butyric acid, citronella). The model revealed additional effects not detected with standard statistical tests of significance.
Collapse
|