Nestmate Recognition in Honey Bees: Collaborative Research on Behavioral, Chemical and Genetic Aspects

亲缘识别是动物行为的基本机制。许多动物物种，包括人类，能够区分近亲和同一物种的其他个体，并优先对近亲采取行动。通常，动物用来进行这些区分的信号是气味，但只有在蜜蜂中才有特定的化合物被识别出来，使动物能够区分近亲和非近亲。这个项目将提供关于蜜蜂如何使用这些气味的新信息，将识别更多这样的气味，并将加强我们对气味的产生是如何遗传的理解。从实际意义上讲，该项目将提出新的方法来操纵蜂群，从而改进养蜂实践。研究结果可能对防止非洲蜜蜂破坏养蜂业的方法提出特别重要的建议。

Kin recognition is a fundamental mechanism in animal behavior. Many animal species, including humans, are able to discriminate between close relatives and other individuals of the same species, and to behave preferentially to close relatives. Often, the signals used by animals to make these discriminations are odors, but only in the honey bee have specific chemical compounds been identified that enable animals to tell relatives from non- relatives. This project will provide new information on how these odors are used by honey bees, will identify additional such odors, and will enhance our understanding of how the production of odors is inherited. In a practical sense, the project will suggest new ways to manipulate honey bee colonies so that beekeeping practices may be improved. The results may prove to be particularly important in suggesting ways of preventing the African honey bee from disrupting beekeeping operations.