Bees as Superorganisms

Bees as Superorganisms PDF Author: Robin Moritz
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3642846661
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 409

Book Description
The honeybee (Apis melli/era L. ) is one of the better studied organisms on this planet. There are plenty of books on the biology of the honeybee for all, the scientist, the beekeeper, and the layman. In view of this flood of publications one is tempted to ask: why does it require another one? The answer is simple: a new one is not required and we do not intend to present a new book on "the honeybee". This would really just add some more inches to the already overloaded bookshelf without sub stantial new information. Instead, we intend to present a book on the honeybee colony. This of course immediately releases the next question: so what is the difference? Although the difference may look insignificant at first glance, we try to guide the reader with a fundamentally different approach through the biology of honeybees and eusocial insect societies in general. The biology of individual colony members is only addressed when it is necessary to explain colonial mechanisms, and the colony as a whole, as a biological unit, which is the main focus of this treatise. Both of us felt that all current textbooks on bee biology put too much emphasis on the individual worker, queen or drone in the colony. Often it is com pletely neglected that the colony is a very significant (if not the most significant) biological structure in bee biology.

The Buzz about Bees

The Buzz about Bees PDF Author: Jürgen Tautz
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3540787291
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 295

Book Description
Tis book, already translated into ten languages, may at frst sight appear to be just about honeybees and their biology. It c- tains, however, a number of deeper messages related to some of the most basic and important principles of modern biology. Te bees are merely the actors that take us into the realm of phys- ology, genetics, reproduction, biophysics and learning, and that introduce us to the principles of natural selection underlying the evolution of simple to complex life forms. Te book destroys the cute notion of bees as anthropomorphic icons of busy self-sacr -i fcing individuals and presents us with the reality of the colony as an integrated and independent being—a “superorganism”—with its own, almost eerie, emergent group intelligence. We are s- prised to learn that no single bee, from queen through drone to sterile worker, has the oversight or control over the colony. - stead, through a network of integrated control systems and fee- backs, and communication between individuals, the colony - rives at consensus decisions from the bottom up through a type of “swarm intelligence”. Indeed, there are remarkable parallels between the functional organization of a swarming honeybee colony and vertebrate brains.

The Superorganism

The Superorganism PDF Author: Bert Holldobler
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
ISBN: 9780393067040
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 556

Book Description
The Pulitzer Prize-winning authors of "The Ants" render the extraordinary lives of the social insects--ants, bees, wasps, and termites--in this visually spectacular volume. 110 color and 100 black-and-white illustrations.

Honeybee Democracy

Honeybee Democracy PDF Author: Thomas D. Seeley
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 140083595X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 283

Book Description
How honeybees make collective decisions—and what we can learn from this amazing democratic process Honeybees make decisions collectively—and democratically. Every year, faced with the life-or-death problem of choosing and traveling to a new home, honeybees stake everything on a process that includes collective fact-finding, vigorous debate, and consensus building. In fact, as world-renowned animal behaviorist Thomas Seeley reveals, these incredible insects have much to teach us when it comes to collective wisdom and effective decision making. A remarkable and richly illustrated account of scientific discovery, Honeybee Democracy brings together, for the first time, decades of Seeley's pioneering research to tell the amazing story of house hunting and democratic debate among the honeybees. In the late spring and early summer, as a bee colony becomes overcrowded, a third of the hive stays behind and rears a new queen, while a swarm of thousands departs with the old queen to produce a daughter colony. Seeley describes how these bees evaluate potential nest sites, advertise their discoveries to one another, engage in open deliberation, choose a final site, and navigate together—as a swirling cloud of bees—to their new home. Seeley investigates how evolution has honed the decision-making methods of honeybees over millions of years, and he considers similarities between the ways that bee swarms and primate brains process information. He concludes that what works well for bees can also work well for people: any decision-making group should consist of individuals with shared interests and mutual respect, a leader's influence should be minimized, debate should be relied upon, diverse solutions should be sought, and the majority should be counted on for a dependable resolution. An impressive exploration of animal behavior, Honeybee Democracy shows that decision-making groups, whether honeybee or human, can be smarter than even the smartest individuals in them.

A Beekeeper's Diary

A Beekeeper's Diary PDF Author: Charlotte E Wiggins
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781735731902
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 304

Book Description
Do you want to be a beekeeper and need help on how to start? Charlotte Ekker Wiggins has written the definitive guide to beginning beekeeping. This diary will guide you on how to start, troubleshoot and successfully develop basic beekeeping skills and practices.The information in this easy to use guide, with handy check lists and tips, will answer your beginning beekeeping questions including: How to naturally feed your honey bees.Best beekeeping equipment. Where to set up your hives. How to get honey bees.How to manage pests and diseases.Plus much more! This diary continues to be used in Charlotte's beekeeping classes. It is approved for use with Great Plains Master Beekeeping Program classes.

The Welfare of Invertebrate Animals

The Welfare of Invertebrate Animals PDF Author: Claudio Carere
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3030139476
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 248

Book Description
This book is devoted to the welfare of invertebrates, which make up 99% of animal species on earth. Addressing animal welfare, we do not often think of invertebrates; in fact we seldom consider them to be deserving of welfare evaluation. And yet we should. Welfare is a broad concern for any animal that we house, control or utilize – and we utilize invertebrates a lot. The Authors start with an emphasis on the values of non-vertebrate animals and discuss the need for a book on the present topic. The following chapters focus on specific taxa, tackling questions that are most appropriate to each one. What is pain in crustaceans, and how might we prevent it? How do we ensure that octopuses are not bored? What do bees need to thrive, pollinate our plants and give us honey? Since invertebrates have distinct personalities and some social animals have group personalities, how do we consider this? And, as in the European Union’s application of welfare consideration to cephalopods, how do the practical regulatory issues play out? We have previously relegated invertebrates to the category ‘things’ and did not worry about their treatment. New research suggest that some invertebrates such as cephalopods and crustaceans can have pain and suffering, might also have consciousness and awareness. Also, good welfare is going to mean different things to spiders, bees, corals, etc. This book is taking animal welfare in a very different direction. Academics and students of animal welfare science, those who keep invertebrates for scientific research or in service to the goals of humans, as well as philosophers will find this work thought-provoking, instructive and informative.

The Wisdom of the Hive

The Wisdom of the Hive PDF Author: Thomas D Seeley
Publisher: Harvard University Press
ISBN: 0674043405
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 318

Book Description
This book describes and illustrates the results of more than fifteen years of elegant experimental studies conducted by the author to investigate how a colony of bees is organized to gather its resources. The results of his research--including studies of the shaking signal, tremble dance, and waggle dance--offer the clearest, most detailed picture available of how a highly integrated animal society works.

The Definitive Guide to HTML5 WebSocket

The Definitive Guide to HTML5 WebSocket PDF Author: Vanessa Wang
Publisher: Apress
ISBN: 143024741X
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 199

Book Description
The Definitive Guide to HTML5 WebSocket is the ultimate insider’s WebSocket resource. This revolutionary new web technology enables you to harness the power of true real-time connectivity and build responsive, modern web applications. This book contains everything web developers and architects need to know about WebSocket. It discusses how WebSocket-based architectures provide a dramatic reduction in unnecessary network overhead and latency compared to older HTTP (Ajax) architectures, how to layer widely used protocols such as XMPP and STOMP on top of WebSocket, and how to secure WebSocket connections and deploy WebSocket-based applications to the enterprise. Build real-time web applications with HTML5. This book: Introduces you to the WebSocket API and protocol Describes and provides real-world examples of protocol communication over WebSocket Explains WebSocket security and enterprise deployment

Metaphysics and the Origin of Species

Metaphysics and the Origin of Species PDF Author: Michael T. Ghiselin
Publisher: SUNY Press
ISBN: 9780791434673
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 394

Book Description
In explaining his individuality thesis, Michael T. Ghiselin provides extended discussions of such philosophical topics as definition, the reality of various kinds of groups, and how we classify traits and processes. He develops and applies the implications for general biology and other sciences and makes the case that a better understanding of species and of classification in general puts biologists and paleontologists in a much better position to understand nature in general, and such processes as extinction in particular.

The Little Book of Bees

The Little Book of Bees PDF Author: Hilary Kearney
Publisher: HarperCollins
ISBN: 9780008324278
Category : Bees
Languages : en
Pages : 224

Book Description
Bees continue to fascinate and charm us all - from novice gardeners and nature-lovers to dedicated environmentalists - and today, bees need our help more than ever. Discover the story of these incredible creatures, with The Little Book of Bees. Bees first appeared on Earth an incredible 130 million years ago. Since the time of the dinosaurs, evolution has taken our beloved bees on an incredible journey - and today, there are 20,000 species on the planet. The Little Book of Bees is a lovely, informative book of all things bee - from evolution and communication, to honey, beekeeping, and saving the bees - all in a beautifully illustrated gift book. Contents Chapter One: The Story of Bees The Evolution of the Bee · The Bee Life Cycle · The Bee Family Tree · Bee Anatomy · Bee Nesting Behaviours · Bee Factoids Chapter Two: Superorganisms Sociality in Bees · Bumble Bees · Honey Bees · Stingless Bees Chapter Three: Honey What is Honey? · Types of Honey · Practical Uses for Honey · Honey Healthcare Chapter Four: Beekeeping Why Keep Bees? · An Introduction to Beekeeping · Keeping Stingless Bees Chapter Five: Protecting Our Bee Buddies Why Are Bees in Decline? · Supporting Our Bees in 10 Easy Steps · Providing a Home for Bees Chapter Two: Superorganisms Sociality in Bees · Bumble Bees · Honey Bees · Stingless Bees Chapter Three: Honey What is Honey? · Types of Honey · Practical Uses for Honey · Honey Healthcare Chapter Four: Beekeeping Why Keep Bees? · An Introduction to Beekeeping · Keeping Stingless Bees Chapter Five: Protecting Our Bee Buddies Why Are Bees in Decline? · Supporting Our Bees in 10 Easy Steps · Providing a Home for Bees