Short‐term exposure to heatwave‐like temperatures affects learning and memory in bumblebees

Gérard, Maxence; Amiri, Anahit; Cariou, Bérénice; Baird, Emily

doi:10.1111/gcb.16196

Cited by 25 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…We found clear evidence for temperature-mediated cognitive decline in associative learning performance, whereby wild pied babblers took more trials to learn the association between a colour cue and a food reward as maximum temperature during testing increased from 18°C to 42.3°C. This temperature-mediated decline in associative learning performance aligns with evidence from captive studies in mice [ 62 ], rats [ 63 ] and buff-tailed bumblebees [ 29 ], and recent evidence from wild Western Australian magpies [ 30 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

“…detouring around a barrier instead of pecking it [ 28 ]. Similarly, buff-tailed bumblebees ( Bombus terrestris ) took longer to learn the association between a colour cue and a sucrose solution and forgot more quickly at 32°C compared to 25°C, suggesting workers in the wild may be less able to discriminate between flowers and remember the most rewarding ones during hot days [ 29 ]. However, most studies investigating heat impacts on cognition have tested animals in captivity [ 18 ]; the only study in wild animals found that Western Australian magpies ( Gymnhorina tibicen dorsalis ) were less likely to learn an association between a shape and a food reward when temperatures exceeded 32°C [ 30 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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High temperatures are associated with reduced cognitive performance in wild southern pied babblers

Soravia,

Ashton,

Thornton

et al. 2023

Proc. R. Soc. B.

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Global temperatures are increasing rapidly. While considerable research is accumulating regarding the lethal and sublethal effects of heat on wildlife, its potential impact on animal cognition has received limited attention. Here, we tested wild southern pied babblers ( Turdoides bicolor ) on three cognitive tasks (associative learning, reversal learning and inhibitory control) under naturally occurring heat stress and non-heat stress conditions. We determined whether cognitive performance was explained by temperature, heat dissipation behaviours, individual and social attributes, or proxies of motivation. We found that temperature, but not heat dissipation behaviours, predicted variation in associative learning performance. Individuals required on average twice as many trials to learn an association when the maximum temperature during testing exceeded 38°C compared with moderate temperatures. Higher temperatures during testing were also associated with reduced inhibitory control performance, but only in females. By contrast, we found no temperature-related decline in performance in the reversal learning task, albeit individuals reached learning criterion in only 14 reversal learning tests. Our findings provide novel evidence of temperature-mediated cognitive impairment in a wild animal and indicate that its occurrence depends on the cognitive trait examined and individual sex.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High temperatures are associated with reduced cognitive performance in wild southern pied babblers

Soravia,

Ashton,

Thornton

et al. 2023

Proc. R. Soc. B.

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“…R. Soc. B 291: 20240040 short-term exposure to high temperatures can impair both learning [24] and foraging [40] behaviours in bumble bees, although the underlying mechanisms remain unknown.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This explanation goes along with our previous finding that Pristine impairs olfactory associative learning performance [45], which provides a basic measurement of a bee's ability to learn about relevant environmental stimuli, a necessary ability for successful homing. Likewise, short-term exposure to high temperatures can impair both learning [24] and foraging [40] behaviours in bumble bees, although the underlying mechanisms remain unknown.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Because navigation and foraging are complex tasks that involve associative learning, stressors such as high temperatures [24] and pesticides [25,26] that impair associative learning also negatively affect navigation and foraging behaviours. Neonicotinoids and other insecticides can reduce the frequency and increase the average duration of foraging trips [27][28][29][30], reduce the average age of first foraging [31,32] and alter the amount of pollen and nectar resources brought back to the hive [33].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Synergistic negative effects between a fungicide and high temperatures on homing behaviours in honeybees

DesJardins,

Chester,

Ozturk

et al. 2024

Proc. R. Soc. B.

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Interactions between environmental stressors may contribute to ongoing pollinator declines, but have not been extensively studied. Here, we examined the interaction between the agricultural fungicide Pristine (active ingredients: 25.2% boscalid, 12.8% pyraclostrobin) and high temperatures on critical honeybee behaviours. We have previously shown that consumption of field-realistic levels of this fungicide shortens worker lifespan in the field and impairs associative learning performance in a laboratory-based assay. We hypothesized that Pristine would also impair homing and foraging behaviours in the field, and that an interaction with hot weather would exacerbate this effect. Both field-relevant Pristine exposure and higher air temperatures reduced the probability of successful return on their own. Together, the two factors synergistically reduced the probability of return and increased the time required for bees to return to the hive. Pristine did not affect the masses of pollen or volumes of nectar or water brought back to the hive by foragers, and it did not affect the ratio of forager types in a colony. However, Pristine-fed bees brought more concentrated nectar back to the hive. As both agrochemical usage and heat waves increase, additive and synergistic negative effects may pose major threats to pollinators and sustainable agriculture.

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Cyanobacteria in the Anthropocene: Synanthropism forged in an era of global change

Erratt,

Freeman

2024

Water Environment Research

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The Anthropocene has driven a transformative era where human activities exert unprecedented influence on Earth's biosphere. Consequently, synanthropic organisms, adept at thriving in human‐modified environments, have emerged. While well studied in terrestrial ecosystems, the presence and ecological importance of synanthropic species in aquatic ecosystems, specifically among cyanobacteria, are less understood. Cyanobacteria blooms, notorious for their detrimental effects on ecosystems and human health, are increasing in frequency and intensity globally. In this perspective, we explore the evidence supporting this rise of cyanobacteria blooms, emphasizing the roles of human‐induced eutrophication and climate change on select cyanobacteria genera. Cyanobacteria are not a monolith, with certain genera showing an observable increase within anthropogenically modified environments. We propose the establishment of a new sub‐branch of phycology that explicitly investigates the ecology and physiology of synanthropic cyanobacteria. Understanding the intricate interactions between synanthropic species and human populations is imperative for managing human‐altered ecosystems and conserving freshwater resources, particularly in the face of increasing global water insecurity.Practitioner Points The rise in cyanobacteria blooms is driven by a small subset of human‐adapted genera—synanthropic cyanobacteria. Research is needed to characterize synanthropic cyanobacteria, which will aid in developing tailored management approaches. A paradigm shift from domesticating to “rewilding” landscapes and modifying behaviors to facilitate cohabitation are solutions to reducing risks.

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Short‐term exposure to heatwave‐like temperatures affects learning and memory in bumblebees

Cited by 25 publications

References 57 publications

High temperatures are associated with reduced cognitive performance in wild southern pied babblers

High temperatures are associated with reduced cognitive performance in wild southern pied babblers

Synergistic negative effects between a fungicide and high temperatures on homing behaviours in honeybees

Cyanobacteria in the Anthropocene: Synanthropism forged in an era of global change

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