Relative Size Discrimination in Honeybees (Apis Mellifera)

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2019

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University of Hawaii at Manoa

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Recent research found that honeybees are capable of learning complex types of learning such as oddity and same-different problems. Honeybees can learn these types of discrimination problems even when every trial differs from each other. However, there is a current lack of research showing the extent to which bees can solve relative size (larger versus smaller size) discrimination problems. Therefore, to address this issue, five experiments were conducted in free-flying honeybees trained in relative size discrimination problems. In Experiments 1 and 2, bees were trained in a size discrimination problem with a trial-unique procedure. The only difference between the two experiments was that the color within trials was the same in one experiment and different in the other (e.g., all green, versus green/orange). In Experiments 3 and 4, bees were trained in an oddity discrimination where relative size determined oddness. Again, the only difference between experiments was the color within trials. Lastly, in Experiment 5, bees were trained in a simultaneous same-different where relative size determined “sameness” and “difference.” Results in all five experiments found that bees solved the relative size discrimination problems. In addition, in the last three experiments, honeybees were capable of solving relative size in other types of relational problems such as second order relational learning. These experiments add to a growing body of evidence that suggests honeybees are capable of solving complex learning problems thought to be a unique characteristic of vertebrates.

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Honeybee--Behavior, Size perception

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