Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
pollen are of set by the rate of consumption. h
is is similar in principle
to the model shown in panel D of Figure 2.4.
I am frequently asked, “But how much of the loading algorithm is
determined by colony need and how much by the genotype of the
worker?” Genotype appears not to contribute much to individual load
size, only about 8 to 25 percent, usually closer to 8 percent, depending
on the individual experiment. We conducted an experiment where we
varied the quantities of stored pollen and brood to maximize dif er-
ences in colony need, an empirical approach similar to the ensemble
modeling discussed in Chapter 2. Some colonies had large quantities of
stored pollen and very few larvae (low need), while others had very lit-
tle stored pollen and large numbers of larvae (high need). Over this
extreme range of colony stimuli (need), colony stimuli explained only 5
to 8 percent of the variance in pollen and nectar loading. It explained
no more than genotype. What explains the rest? It must be the chance
daily and seasonal availability of pollen and nectar.
h roughout this topic, I have decomposed the regulatory architec-
ture at dif erent levels of organization spanning genes and complex
behavioral interactions. I have ended this chapter with a regulatory
metamodel. However, the model is a very thin soup made of what we
know now about the architecture of the genome, gene function and
regulation, and hormonal control systems. In time, members of the
honey bee research village will undoubtedly add more ingredients to
the kettle and make a more complete model.
Suggested Reading
Amdam, G. V., Ihle, K. E., and Page, R. E. 2009. Regulation of honeybee worker
(Apis mellifera)
life histories by vitellogenin. In
Hormones, Brain and
Behavior,
2nd ed., vol. 2, ed. D. W. Pfaf , A. P. Arnold, A. M. Etgen, S. E. Fah-
rbach, et al. San Diego: Academic Press, pp. 1003-1025.
Dreller, C., Page, R. E., and Fondrk, M. K. 1999. Regulation of pollen foraging in
honeybee colonies: Ef ects of young brood, stored pollen, and empty space.
Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol.
45:227-233.
Dreller, C. R., and Tarpy, D. R. 2000. Perception of the pollen need by foragers in
a honeybee colony.
Anim. Behav.
59:91-96.
