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

亲属识别是动物行为中的一种基本机制。许多动物物种，包括人类，能够区分近亲和同类的其他个体，并优先于近亲。通常，动物用来做出这些区分的信号是气味，但只有在蜜蜂中才能识别出特定的化合物，使动物能够区分亲属和非亲属。这个项目将提供有关蜜蜂如何利用这些气味的新信息，将识别更多的此类气味，并将加强我们对气味产生是如何遗传的理解。在实际意义上，该项目将提出操纵蜜蜂群体的新方法，以便改进养蜂实践。这一结果可能被证明在提出防止非洲蜜蜂扰乱养蜂作业的方法方面特别重要。

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.