Bumblebees retrieve only the ordinal ranking of foraging options when comparing memories obtained in distinct settings
Cite this dataset
Solvi, Cwyn et al. (2022). Bumblebees retrieve only the ordinal ranking of foraging options when comparing memories obtained in distinct settings [Dataset]. Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.rr4xgxdb9
Abstract
Are animals’ preferences determined by absolute memories for options (e.g. reward sizes) or by their remembered ranking (better/worse)? The only studies examining this question suggest humans and starlings utilise memories for both absolute and relative information. We show that bumblebees’ learned preferences are based only on memories of ordinal comparisons. A series of experiments showed that after learning to discriminate pairs of different flowers by sucrose concentration, bumblebees preferred flowers (in novel pairings) with 1) higher ranking over equal absolute reward, 2) higher ranking over higher absolute reward, and 3) identical qualitative ranking but different quantitative ranking equally. Bumblebees used absolute information in order to rank different flowers. However, additional experiments revealed that, even when ranking information was absent (i.e. bees learned one flower at a time), memories for absolute information were lost or could no longer be retrieved after at most one hour. Our results illuminate a divergent mechanism for bees (compared to starlings and humans) of learned preferences that may have arisen from different adaptations to their natural environment.
Funding
National Natural Science Foundation of China, Award: 31700988
National Natural Science Foundation of China, Award: 31970994
Guangdong Science and Technology Department, Award: 2018B030340001
Templeton World Charity Foundation, Award: TWCF-2020-20539
China Scholarship Council, Award: 2202008440515