Navigation and dance communication in honeybees

蜜蜂的导航和空间通信已经在感觉加工水平上得到了广泛的研究，但涉及距离定向的空间记忆的结构和内容还没有得到解决。在这里，我们进行了一系列实验，重点研究蜜蜂在其定向飞行范围内导航和交流这一范围内的位置时所使用的记忆结构。将使用和改进一种新技术(谐波雷达)来追踪标有应答器的蜜蜂的完整飞行路线。我们将考察两个关于空间记忆结构的模型。第一个模型基于至少两个远距离向量的集成，而第二个模型假设空间记忆结构最好地概念化为几何和关系地标地图。我们的研究还将解决与舞蹈交流相关的问题，因为蜜蜂的舞蹈行为直接依赖于空间信息的使用。我们将分析和扩展最近的观察结果，这些观察表明，交流的不仅仅是距离和方向，并检查跳舞和招募的蜜蜂使用什么样的记忆来指示一个理想的目标，决定目标并朝着它前进。这项提议的一个主要组成部分涉及建造、改进和进一步发展谐波雷达系统，以追踪半径为1公里的自由飞行的单一蜜蜂。

Navigation and spatial communication in honeybees have been studied extensively on the level of sensory processing, but the structure and content of the spatial memory involved in distance orientation has yet to be addressed. Here we apply for a series of experiments that focus on the structure of the memory used by bees both to navigate within the range of their orientation flights and to communicate about locations within this range. A new technology (harmonic radar) will be used and improved to trace the full flight paths of bees marked with transponders. Two models concerning the structure of spatial memory will be examined. The first model is based on the integration of at least two far-ranging vectors, while the second assumes a structure of spatial memory best conceptualized as a geometric and relational landmark map. Our study will also address questions related to dance communication, since the bees¿ dance behavior depends directly upon the use of spatial information. We shall analyze and extend recent observations which indicate that more than just distance and direction may be communicated, and examine what kind of memory is used by dancing and recruited bees to indicate a desirable goal, decide about the goal and steer toward it. A major component of this proposal relates to the construction, improvement and further development of the harmonic radar system for tracing single bees in free flight over a radius of 1 km.