Scientists put chicken to study the behavior of Costa Rican vulture bees.
A few days ago, according to an article published in the Royal Society Open Science, a group of scientists reported that they found bees screaming with their bodies instead of their mouths with the desperate vibrations of their feathers. Now, another group of researchers concludes that the bee species have evolved significantly to survive. Extra teeth came out And their intestines are like the intestines of cleaning animals.
When we talk about bees, we usually think of flowers where these insects find food.And that applies to almost all species except the group called Vulture beeAlso known as Scavenger Bee.
They are characterized by having no puncture wounds Eat pieces of meat from carcasses of animals Rainforest, hence its name.
Jessica McCarro, co-author of a study at the University of California, Riverside, observes the movement of bees on one of the decoys.
Team of American Biologists from University of California, Riverside Traveled to (UCR) Costa Rica Study this species, which is still little known. So they installed the bait: Fresh raw chicken It was hung from a branch and smeared with petrolatum to prevent ants. And as a corollary, they found that vulture bees developed extra teeth and an intestine that more resembled a scavenger.
probably Fierce competition for honey and pollenThese bees have developed their ability to eat meat, suggesting a study published a few months ago. mBio Magazine Of the American Society for Microbiology.
Scientists have seduced “vulture bees” with fresh chicken to do great research in Costa Rica.
Due to changes in their diet, their bodies have also changed. The same five major types of bacteria are found in the intestines of most bee species, but have not changed over time. 80 million years of evolution.. However, he explained that the vulture bee microflora is very similar to the gastrointestinal flora of hyenas and other scavengers. Quinn McFrederick, UCR entomologist.
“These are the only bees in the world that have evolved to use non-plant food sources, and this is a fairly significant change in their diet,” said an entomologist at the University of California, Riverside. Doug Yanega.
“The vulture microbiota is Bacteria that prefer acid. These are new bacteria that their relatives don’t have, “McFrederick said.
Vultures are carnivorous and have the same bacteria in their intestines as hyenas.
“These bacteria are King vultures, hyenas and other scavengers, Probably to help protect them from the pathogens that appear in carrion, “he said.
Interestingly, scientists say that honey from carnivorous bees Edible and sweet. Insects store their meat in a closed room in a closed hive for two weeks before accessing them. “These chambers are separated from the area where the honey is stored,” he explained. Jessica McCarroRT, co-author of the study.
Scientists have concluded that further study of vulture bees can provide valuable insights into the role of the microbiota. “Extreme” changes Of the diet.
Source: Clarin
