Metabolic rate predicts the lifespan of workers in the bumble bee Bombus impatiens

Kelemen, Evan P.; Cao, Nhi; Cao, T. T.; Davidowitz, Goggy

doi:10.1007/s13592-018-0630-y

Cited by 20 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…The rate‐of‐living theory has been studied in insects, fish, birds and mammals (Austad & Fischer, 1991; Kelemen, Cao, Cao, Davidowitz, & Dornhaus, 2019; Lindstedt & Calder, 1976; Liu & Walford, 1975; Herreid, 1964). For example, Healy et al (2014) found that metabolic rate was negatively associated with longevity in non‐volant endotherms (supporting the rate‐of‐living theory).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

No evidence for the ‘rate‐of‐living’ theory across the tetrapod tree of life

Stark

Pincheira‐Donoso

Meiri

2020

Global Ecol Biogeogr

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Aim The ‘rate‐of‐living’ theory predicts that life expectancy is a negative function of the rates at which organisms metabolize. According to this theory, factors that accelerate metabolic rates, such as high body temperature and active foraging, lead to organismic ‘wear‐out’. This process reduces life span through an accumulation of biochemical errors and the build‐up of toxic metabolic by‐products. Although the rate‐of‐living theory is a keystone underlying our understanding of life‐history trade‐offs, its validity has been recently questioned. The rate‐of‐living theory has never been tested on a global scale in a phylogenetic framework, or across both endotherms and ectotherms. Here, we test several of its fundamental predictions across the tetrapod tree of life. Location Global. Time period Present. Major taxa studied Land vertebrates. Methods Using a dataset spanning the life span data of 4,100 land vertebrate species (2,214 endotherms, 1,886 ectotherms), we performed the most comprehensive test to date of the fundamental predictions underlying the rate‐of‐living theory. We investigated how metabolic rates, and a range of factors generally perceived to be strongly associated with them, relate to longevity. Results Our findings did not support the predictions of the rate‐of‐living theory. Basal and field metabolic rates, seasonality, and activity times, as well as reptile body temperatures and foraging ecology, were found to be unrelated to longevity. In contrast, lower longevity across ectotherm species was associated with high environmental temperatures. Main conclusions We conclude that the rate‐of‐living theory does not hold true for terrestrial vertebrates, and suggest that life expectancy is driven by selection arising from extrinsic mortality factors. A simple link between metabolic rates, oxidative damage and life span is not supported. Importantly, our findings highlight the potential for rapid warming, resulting from the current increase in global temperatures, to drive accelerated rates of senescence in ectotherms.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

No evidence for the ‘rate‐of‐living’ theory across the tetrapod tree of life

Stark

Pincheira‐Donoso

Meiri

2020

Global Ecol Biogeogr

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“…We hypothesize that minimizing the time and energy spent on thermoregulation will result in more available time and energy for other colony tasks, such as egg‐laying, nursing larvae, and nest construction, and thus, will result in faster colony development. In addition, a lower metabolic performance may increase the lifespan of the workers as well (Kelemen et al ., 2019; Molon et al ., 2020). This would imply that B. terrestris colonies should ideally be reared at 29–31 °C to optimize colony developmental rate.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thermoregulation responses come at a cost of invested energy and time, which goes at the expense of other tasks such as foraging for food, nursing of larvae, guarding the nest, and could reduce worker life span (Heinrich, 1974b; Vogt, 1986; Gardner et al ., 2007; Kelemen et al ., 2019). Therefore, it is assumed that an ambient temperature, close to the optimal brood temperature, will reduce energy spent on thermoregulation and thus will result in more efficient colony development.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermoregulation dynamics in commercially reared colonies of the bumblebee Bombus terrestris

et al. 2021

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Thermoregulation, that is, the active control of temperature, is key to ensure proper brood development in both wild and captive bumblebee nests. In this study, thermoregulation dynamics were assessed relative to colony age and ambient temperature using commercially reared Bombus terrestris L. (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Bombus) colonies. We observed a positive relationship between brood and nest temperatures in response to ambient temperature. Thermoregulation investment (by either brooding or fanning) was lowest at brood surface temperatures between 33 and 34 °C and ambient temperatures between 28 and 32 °C. Brood temperature was less stable and thermoregulation investment higher in younger colonies, especially at lower ambient temperatures. Furthermore, queens initiated colonies sooner and colonies developed faster when kept at an ambient temperature of 29 °C as compared to 24 °C. Our results suggest that ambient temperatures are ideally kept between 29 and 31 °C.

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“…Queens and workers also provide nest defense, while mating is the only function of males in the colony (Goulson, 2012). Thus, the division of labor and reproductive investment can affect metabolism, energy budgets, and stress levels in bumblebees (Kelemen et al, 2019). These numerous anatomical, behavioral, developmental, and functional differences can bring different levels of physiological stress may affect the individuals' stress levels and ecological stoichiometry of their bodies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecological Stoichiometry of Bumblebee Castes, Sexes, and Age Groups

et al. 2021

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Ecological stoichiometry is important for revealing how the composition of chemical elements of organisms is influenced by their physiological functions and ecology. In this study, we investigated the elemental body composition of queens, workers, and males of the bumblebee Bombus terrestris, an important pollinator throughout Eurasia, North America, and northern Africa. Our results showed that body elemental content differs among B. terrestris castes. Young queens and workers had higher body nitrogen concentration than ovipositing queens and males, while castes did not differ significantly in their body carbon concentration. Furthermore, the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio was higher in ovipositing queens and males. We suggest that high body nitrogen concentration and low carbon-to-nitrogen ratio in young queens and workers may be related to their greater amount of flight muscles and flight activities than to their lower stress levels. To disentangle possible effects of stress in the agricultural landscape, further studies are needed to compare the elemental content of bumblebee bodies between natural habitats and areas of high-intensity agriculture.

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Metabolic rate predicts the lifespan of workers in the bumble bee Bombus impatiens

Cited by 20 publications

References 46 publications

No evidence for the ‘rate‐of‐living’ theory across the tetrapod tree of life

No evidence for the ‘rate‐of‐living’ theory across the tetrapod tree of life

Thermoregulation dynamics in commercially reared colonies of the bumblebee Bombus terrestris

Ecological Stoichiometry of Bumblebee Castes, Sexes, and Age Groups

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