Bumble bees’ food preferences are jointly shaped by rapid evaluation of nectar sugar concentration and viscosity
Data files
Dec 25, 2022 version files 51.56 KB
-
dataset.xlsx
48.59 KB
-
README.md
2.97 KB
Aug 17, 2023 version files 51.60 KB
Abstract
Animals are often assumed to follow a strategy of energy maximization, and therefore should evaluate feeding options based on energy intake rates. However, at the proximal level, a direct estimate of energy intake rates, if that is possible at all, might require postabsorptive senses with relatively longer processing times, whereas an indirect estimate of energy intake through proxies like pre-absorptive senses of different sensory food properties might support rapid foraging decisions. Here, we show that nectar sugar concentration (sweetness) and nectar viscosity (resistance) drive preferences of bumble bees, Bombus terrestris, classical models for economic and foraging decision making. Using a tasteless/odourless biopolymer (Tylose), we created feeding options that differed in sweetness and resistance, properties that affect energy intake rate and can be immediately sensed. When energy intake rates were similar, bumble bees developed preferences based on sweetness and resistance. When energy intake rates were different, but sweetness and resistance were balanced against each other, bees developed no preferences. Decision dynamics during training indicated that bumble bees simultaneously evaluated sweetness and resistance to make decisions quickly (in seconds). These results suggest that bumble bees’ food preferences are jointly affected by the immediate sensation of nectar sweetness and resistance as positively and negatively reinforcing properties, respectively, indicating a pre-absorptive proximate mechanism for rapid energy sensitive decisions in bumble bees.
README
Data and file structure
The dataset contains all the raw data used for the statistical analyses and visualisation in the main text and the supplementary figures, from four experiments (experiment 1-4). In each experiment, foraging options with various nectar sugar concentrations and/or viscosities were provided. There are three spreadsheets in the dataset: 'Blocks of Landings', 'Test', 'Disrupted Drinking Behaviour'.
In 'Blocks of Landings' there are six columns:
- 'beeID' entries are the unique identification numbers for each individual bee used in each experiment;
- 'colony' entries are the identification numbers for each colony;
- 'colour' entries are the counterbalanced colour sets used for different groups, with 1 = training with orange colour associated with the lower viscosity option, and lime colour associated with the higher viscosity option; 2 = vice versa;
- 'block' entries are the numbers of the blocks that generate that values in the 'percHC/V' column;
- 'percHC/LV' values are the proportion of choices for the higher concentration option in experiment 1, 3 and 4, or for the lower viscosity option in experiment 2.
- 'exp' entries are the experiment number;
In 'Test' there are six columns:
- 'beeID' entries are the unique identification numbers for each individual bee used in each experiment;
- 'colony' entries are the identification numbers for each colony;
- 'colour' entries are the counterbalanced colour sets used for different groups, with 1 = training with orange colour associated with the lower viscosity option, and lime colour associated with the higher viscosity option; 2 = vice versa;
- 'percHC/LV' values are the proportion of choices for the higher concentration option in experiment 1, 3 and 4, or for the lower viscosity option in experiment 2;
- 'numland' values are the total number of landings in the test for each bee.
- 'exp' entries are the experiment number;
In 'Disrupted Drinking Behaviour' there are eight columns:
- 'beeID' entries are the unique identification numbers for each individual bee used in each experiment;
- 'block' entries are the numbers of the blocks that generate that values in the 'percentage' column;
- 'colony' entries are the identification numbers for each colony;
- 'colour' entries are the counterbalanced colour sets used for different groups, with 1 = training with orange colour associated with the lower viscosity option, and lime colour associated with the higher viscosity option; 2 = vice versa;
- 'group' entries record where the disrupted drinking behaviour happens, with 1 = disrupted drinking events on the higher viscosity option, and 2 = disrupted drinking events on the lower viscosity option;
- 'percentage' values are the proportion of the disrupted drinking events in all the choices of one type of option within one block;
- 'numep' values are the numbers of disrupted drinking events within one block;
- 'exp' entries are the experiment number;