Individual Acclimatization of Apis mellifera L. to the Thermal Homeostasis of the Colony

Authors

  • Marcos Venâncio Lima Zootechnician, Integrated Animal Science Doctoral Program (PDIZ), Federal University of Ceará (UFC)
  • Leonardo Augusto Fonseca Pascoal Instituição Universidade Federal da Paraíba
  • Edilson Paes Saraiva Instituição Universidade Federal da Paraíba
  • Kilmer Oliveira Soares Instituição Universidade Federal da Paraíba
  • João Paulo Araújo Fernandes de Queiroz Universidade Federal do Ceará
  • Adriana Evangelista-Rodrigues Universidade Federal da paraíba

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v66i1.3378

Keywords:

behavior, hemolymph, total protein, thermogenesis, thermoregulation

Abstract

Bees play an important role in maintaining biodiversity by promoting the pollination of numerous plant species. Recent global climate changes are affecting the average air temperature, thereby altering the biological processes of many species. The objective of this study was to evaluate the adaptation of Apis mellifera L. bees to temperature increases and their responses to thermal homeostasis in the colony. Research was performed at the Federal University of Paraíba Laboratory of Bees using three treatments: Control, 33 °C and 40 °C. For the latter two treatments, colonies were kept in a 24 m² climate chamber with an opening at the hive entrance, giving the bees access to the outside environment. The following parameters were evaluated: difference between internal and external hive temperature, thorax surface temperature and total protein concentration in the hemolymph. Internal colony temperature varied according to the external hive temperature. Nurse bees that care for larvae exhibited higher heat production, expressed as thorax surface temperature. Total protein content in the hemolymph was highest in the 40 °C treatment and decreased with ambient temperature. External hive temperature influences internal hive temperature, and nurse bees have higher capacities for thermogenesis.

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Author Biographies

Marcos Venâncio Lima, Zootechnician, Integrated Animal Science Doctoral Program (PDIZ), Federal University of Ceará (UFC)

Agricultural Technician with Qualification in Animal Husbandry by the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Ceará (2009). He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science from the Federal University of Paraíba (2014), as a laureate student, and a Master's degree in the Postgraduate Program in Animal Science - PPGZ, in the area of Animal Production by the Federal University of Paraíba (2016). She is currently PhD student in Bee and Pollination by the PhD Program Integrated in Zootecnia - PDIZ at the Federal University of Ceará. He has experience in the field of Animal Science, with emphasis on the physiology of the digestion of Africanized bees and mainly on the influence of climate on bees' behavior.

Leonardo Augusto Fonseca Pascoal, Instituição Universidade Federal da Paraíba

Graduation in Animal Science from the Federal University of Alagoas (2002), master's degree in Animal Science from the Federal University of Paraíba (2005) and PhD in Animal Science from the State University of São Paulo Júlio de Mesquita Filho (2009). He is currently Adjunct Professor of the Animal Science Department of the Center for Human, Social and Agrarian Sciences of the Federal University of Paraíba. He has experience in the area of Animal Husbandry, with emphasis on Production and Nutrition of Swine and Rabbits and, acting mainly on the following topics: Alternative foods, nutrients and functional foods, meat products quality and intestinal health and morphology.

Edilson Paes Saraiva, Instituição Universidade Federal da Paraíba

Graduation, Masters and Doctorate in Animal Science by the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV). He is currently Adjunct Professor IV of the Federal University of Paraíba. He has experience in Animal Science, with emphasis on Animal Bioclimatology, Ethology and Animal Welfare, working on the following topics: Environment-Nutrition Interaction, Bioclimatic Indexes for Animals, Animal Environment, Socio-Sexual Behavior and Animal Welfare Indicators.

Kilmer Oliveira Soares, Instituição Universidade Federal da Paraíba

Master's degree in Zootechnics at the Federal University of Campina Grande, graduated in Animal Science at the Federal University of Paraíba, Agricultural Sciences Center, located in the city of Areia-Pb

João Paulo Araújo Fernandes de Queiroz, Universidade Federal do Ceará

Veterinary doctor graduated by the Federal Rural Semi-Arid University - UFERSA. PhD in Animal Science by UFERSA. He has experience in the areas of Bioclimatology, Behavior and Animal Welfare, dedicating himself to the study of the behavior and physical mechanisms of heat transfer in neotropical ectothermic and endothermic. He is currently developing a postdoctoral project in Animal Science at the Federal University of Ceará (UFC), being linked to the Bees Research Group, where he investigates the effects of different climatic types on thermoregulation of native wild bees.

Adriana Evangelista-Rodrigues, Universidade Federal da paraíba

Zootechnist at the Paulista State University Júlio de Mesquita Filho (1990), master's degree in Animal Production by the Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho State University (1994) and PhD in Animal Science from the State University of São Paulo Júlio de Mesquita Filho (1997). The area of activity is beekeeping, conducting projects in quality of bee products, conservation and morphometry of native and Africanized bees and identification of the bee flora. President of the Regional Commission of Education in Animal Science of the Regional Council of Veterinary Medicine of the State of Paraíba

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Published

2019-04-25

How to Cite

Lima, M. V., Pascoal, L. A. F., Saraiva, E. P., Soares, K. O., Queiroz, J. P. A. F. de, & Evangelista-Rodrigues, A. (2019). Individual Acclimatization of Apis mellifera L. to the Thermal Homeostasis of the Colony. Sociobiology, 66(1), 81–87. https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v66i1.3378

Issue

Vol. 66 No. 1 (2019)

Section

Research Article - Bees

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