Researchers Discover Bumblebee Queens' Surprising Ability to Survive Submersion During Hibernation
In a surprising turn of events, researchers Sabrina Rondeau and Nigel Raine have uncovered a previously unknown resilience in common eastern bumblebee queens (Bombus impatiens). These queens can survive underwater for up to a week during hibernation, a discovery made accidentally during an unrelated study.
Accidental Discovery
While examining diapausing bumblebee queens, the researchers noticed water accumulation inside a container. Upon draining the water, they found the queens alive, a finding that astonished Rondeau, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Ottawa.
"I've studied bumblebees for a while now. And, when I stumbled upon this discovery by accident, I was extremely surprised," Rondeau shared. This revelation led to further experimentation to understand the queens' endurance under such conditions.
Experiment Details
The study involved 143 common eastern bumblebee queens placed in soil-filled tubes and exposed to artificially induced diapause in a refrigerated unit at 4°C for seven days. The queens were submerged in water, either floating naturally or maintained at the water's surface using a plunger-like apparatus.
How Bumblebee Queens Survive
Bumblebee queens can survive submersion due to their waterproof cuticles and the ability to close spiracles, small holes along their abdomen used for breathing. These adaptations prevent water from entering their respiratory system and allow them to use the oxygen already in their system.
Rondeau explained, "They require very low oxygen amounts during diapausing, allowing them to survive extended periods underwater by using the remaining oxygen before closing their spiracles."
Implications for Bumblebee Survival
This discovery is promising, particularly in the context of increasing flooding events due to climate change. Understanding the resilience of common eastern bumblebee queens could provide insights into their relative success compared to other declining bumblebee species.
Rondeau emphasized the positive aspect, "It's very encouraging to know that if the frequency of flooding events is increasing in the future, it's probably not a big deal, or not that much of a deal for bumblebee queens."
Future Research Directions
While the current study focused on the survival of queens, further research is needed to understand the long-term effects on their health and colony development. Additionally, Rondeau plans to investigate whether other wild bumblebee species share this flood tolerance.
Conclusion
The accidental discovery of common eastern bumblebee queens' ability to survive underwater during hibernation opens new avenues for understanding and supporting bee populations amid environmental changes. This resilience could be a critical factor in their survival, providing a buffer against the increasing frequency of flooding events predicted for the future.
FAQs
What did researchers discover about common eastern bumblebee queens?
- Researchers found that common eastern bumblebee queens can survive submerged underwater for up to a week during hibernation.
How was this discovery made?
- The discovery was made accidentally when water accumulated in a container with hibernating bumblebee queens during an unrelated study.
Why can these queens survive underwater?
- They have minimal oxygen needs during diapause and waterproof cuticles that prevent water from entering their respiratory system.
Does this ability apply to all bees or just the hibernating queens?
- This survival ability applies only to hibernating queens in the state of diapause, not to foraging bees.
What are the implications of this discovery?
- This finding suggests that bumblebee queens may be resilient to flooding events, which could be increasingly common due to climate change.
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