title: Stingless bees (Meliponini): senses and behavior.
abstract: Stingless bees (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini) are by far the largest group of eusocial bees on Earth. Due to the diversity of evolutionary responses to specific ecological challenges, the Meliponini are well suited for comparative studies of the various adaptations to the environment found in highly eusocial bees. Of particular interest are the physiological mechanisms underlying the sophisticated cooperative and collective actions of entire colonies, which form the basis of the ecological success of the different bee species under the particular conditions prevailing in their respective environment. The present Special Issue of the Journal of Comparative Physiology A provides a sample of the exciting diversity of sensorial and behavioral adaptations in stingless bees, particularly concerning (1) the sensory bases for foraging, (2) chemical communication, and (3) the behavioral ecology of foraging.
authors: Departamento de Ciências Animais, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Av. Francisco Mota 572, Mossoró-RN, 59625-900, Brazil. michael@ufersa.edu.br.
authors: Michael
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4931-3924
authors: M
authors: Hrncir
authors: Institute for Neurobiology, Ulm University, Helmholtzstrasse 10/1, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
authors: Stefan
authors: S
authors: Jarau
authors: Department for Neurobiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
authors: Friedrich G
authors: FG
authors: Barth
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001516:Bees / Q000502:physiology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D004777:Environment; D012677:Sensation / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Adaptations; Communication; Foraging; Meliponini; Sensory physiology