Shackleton, Kyle.pdf (2.55 MB)
Novel aspects of nest defence in stingless bees
thesis
posted on 2023-06-09, 13:48 authored by Kyle ShackletonDefence against predators is fundamental to increasing an organism’s fitness. My thesis explores this central theme in behavioural ecology using stingless bees as study organisms. The thesis contains a general introduction (Chapter 1), three data chapters (2-4) and a final discussion (5). Chapter 2 is a comparative study of aggression in nest defence among stingless bee species, and describes a new form of nest defence, suicidal biting, which is most prevalent in the genus Trigona. Chapter 3 describes a remarkable behaviour in Partamona helleri, which crashes head-first when entering its nest. An experiment suggests that this behaviour helps to avoid predation at the nest entrance. Chapter 4 studies nest defence in the hovering guards of Tetragonisca angustula, and demonstrates that through coordinated vigilance, a group level behaviour rarely observed in animals, the ability of the group to detect predators is enhanced.
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- Published version
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121.0Department affiliated with
- Biology and Environmental Science Theses
Qualification level
- doctoral
Qualification name
- phd
Language
- eng
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University of SussexFull text available
- Yes
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2018-06-15Usage metrics
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