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Published Online June 24, 2004
Science DOI: 10.1126/science.1096340

Reports

Submitted on February 2, 2004
Accepted on June 16, 2004

Honey Bee Nest Thermoregulation: Diversity Promotes Stability

Julia C. Jones 1*, Mary R. Myerscough 2, Sonia Graham 2, Benjamin P. Oldroyd 1

1 School of Biological Sciences, Macleay Building A12, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
2 School of Mathematics and Statistics, Carslaw Building F07, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.

* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
Julia C. Jones , E-mail: jjones{at}bio.usyd.edu.au

A honey bee colony is characterised by high genetic diversity among its workers, generated by high levels of multiple mating by its queen. Few clear benefits of this genetic diversity are known. Here we show that brood nest temperatures in genetically diverse colonies (i.e., those sired by several males) tend to be more stable than in genetically uniform ones (i.e., those sired by one male). One way this increased stability arises is because genetically determined diversity in worker temperature response thresholds modulates the hive-ventilating behavior of individual workers, preventing excessive colony-level responses to temperature fluctuations.


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