A5084849448- Plant and animal studies
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Experimental Behavioral Economics Studies
- Plant Reproductive Biology
- Language and cultural evolution
- Language, Metaphor, and Cognition
- Cultural Differences and Values
- Advanced Materials and Mechanics
- Cell Image Analysis Techniques
- Neural Networks and Applications
- Plant and Biological Electrophysiology Studies
University of Sheffield
2024-2025
Queen Mary University of London
2019-2024
The astonishing behavioural repertoires of social insects have been thought largely innate, but these repeatedly demonstrated remarkable capacities for both individual and learning. Using the bumblebee Bombus terrestris as a model, we developed two-option puzzle box task used open diffusion paradigms to observe transmission novel, nonnatural foraging behaviours through populations. Box-opening behaviour spread colonies seeded with demonstrator trained perform 1 2 possible variants, observers...
Abstract Culture refers to behaviours that are socially learned and persist within a population over time. Increasing evidence suggests animal culture can, like human culture, be cumulative: characterized by sequential innovations build on previous ones 1 . However, cumulative involves so complex they lie beyond the capacity of any individual independently discover during their lifetime 1–3 To our knowledge, no study has far demonstrated this phenomenon in an invertebrate. Here we show...
Socially-transmitted behavioural traits can, if they persist in a group of animals over time, give rise to locally-adapted phenotypes that can enhance survival. This capacity is widespread through the animal kingdom, and forms foundation cultural inheritance. While social learning well-documented among insects, particularly insects such as bumblebees, extent which behaviours spread beyond initial kin groups time remains largely unknown. String-pulling non-natural foraging behaviour where...
Honeybee comb architecture and the manner of its construction have long been subject scientific curiosity. Comb is characterised by an even hexagonal layout sharing cell bases side walls, which provides maximised storage volume while requiring minimal wax. The efficiency this structure relies on a regular correct positioning cells relative to each other, with new placed at junction two previously constructed cells. This task complicated incomplete nature edge comb, where are be built. We...
The traditional understanding of brain function has predominantly focused on chemical and electrical processes. However, new research in fruit fly (Drosophila) binocular vision reveals ultrafast photomechanical photoreceptor movements significantly enhance information processing, thereby impacting a fly's perception its environment behaviour. coding advantages resulting from these mechanical processes suggest that similar physical motion-based strategies may affect neural communication...
Abstract Honeybee comb comprises recognisable hexagons, each with straight sides. Not only are the cell side-walls flat, but so too those that form base of cells; faces which shared cells on opposite face comb. The mechanism by bees build flat sides has been subject speculation for centuries, it conjectured Kepler, Darwin as well more recent researchers cylindrical transformed into sided prisms, without consensus to process this is achieved. By offering shaped wax stimuli and observing was...
Summary Culture in non-human animals refers to behaviour that is socially learned and persists within a population over time. Human culture notable it cumulative : new innovations have built on previous ones thousands of years. As result, what acquired via social learning often goes far beyond the capacity any individual independently discover during their lifetime 1–3 . To date, no study has convincingly demonstrated this phenomenon animal. Here, we show bumblebees can learn from trained...
Abstract The comb of honeybees has long been the subject curiosity and admiration. Its noteworthy features include even hexagonal layout sharing walls, both side walls bases, that provide a maximum storage volume while using minimum wax for its construction. efficiency structure relies on regular where cells are positioned correctly relative to each other. Each new cell should be placed exactly between two previously constructed cells, task made more difficult by incomplete nature at edge...
Abstract The hexagonal structure of honeycomb maximises storage volume while minimising the amount wax required for its construction. How honeybee builders achieve this geometry, however, remains unclear. Previously, our group identified behavioural patterns that were triggered in when they encountered certain sub-scale features associated with partially constructed comb, which resulted alignment new cells to small concavities and construction cell walls between two these stimuli. This...
Abstract The astonishing behavioural repertoires of social insects have been thought largely innate, but these repeatedly demonstrated remarkable capacities for both individual and learning. Using the bumblebee Bombus terrestris as a model, we developed two-option puzzle box task used open diffusion paradigms to observe transmission novel, non-natural foraging behaviours through populations. Box-opening behaviour spread colonies seeded with demonstrator trained perform one two possible...
Abstract Honeybee comb architecture and the manner of its construction has long been subject scientific curiosity. Comb is characterised by an even hexagonal layout sharing cell bases side walls, which provides maximised storage volume while requiring minimal wax. The efficiency this structure relies on a regular correct positioning cells relative to each other, with new placed at junction two previously constructed cells. This task complicated incomplete nature edge comb, where are be...