Pollinators are exposed to numerous parasites and pathogens when foraging on flowers. These biological stressors may affect critical cognitive abilities required for foraging. Here, we tested whether exposure to Nosema ceranae, one of the most widespread parasites of honey bees also found in wild pollinators, impacts cognition in bumblebees. We investigated different forms of olfactory learning and memory using conditioning of the proboscis extension reflex. Seven days after feeding parasite spores, bumblebees showed lower performances in absolute, differential, and reversal learning than controls. The consistent observations across different types of olfactory learning indicates a general negative effect of N. ceranae exposure that did not specifically target particular brain areas or neural processes. We discuss the potential mechanisms by which N. ceranae impairs bumblebee cognition and the broader consequences for populations of pollinators.
The gut parasite Nosema ceranae impairs olfactory learning in bumblebees
These authors contributed equally to this work
- Award Group:
- Funder(s): Fondation Fyssen
- Funder(s):
- Award Group:
- Funder(s): Agence Nationale de la Recherche
- Award Id(s): POLLINET ANR455 16-CE02-0002-01
- Funder(s):
- Award Group:
- Funder(s): European Regional Development Fund
- Funder(s):
- Award Group:
- Funder(s): Agence de la Transition Ecologique
- Funder(s):
Currently Viewing Accepted Manuscript - Newer Version Available
Tamara Gómez-Moracho, Tristan Durand, Mathieu Lihoreau; The gut parasite Nosema ceranae impairs olfactory learning in bumblebees. J Exp Biol 2022; jeb.244340. doi: https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.244340
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