Data from: Evidence for socially influenced and potentially actively coordinated cooperation by bumblebees

Description

Notes

Methods

The dataset was collected through experiments conducted at the University of Oulu, Finland, using buff-tailed bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) obtained from Koppert, The Netherlands. The experiments involved two tasks: a block-pushing task and a tunnel task.

For the block-pushing task, bees were trained either individually (Single control) or in pairs (Partnered) to push blocks off flowers to access the nectar. The training involved pre-training phases with progressively larger blocks covering flowers. The bees were then tested individually in a setup where they had to push blocks to access nectar, with delays introduced to observe their behaviour when alone or with a partner.

For the tunnel task, bees were required to walk through a transparent tunnel to access a reward. The Partnered group underwent training to touch a door at the end of the tunnel simultaneously, while the Single control group was trained individually. Delay tests were conducted to observe the behaviour when one bee was released before the other.

Video recordings of all experiments were analyzed, and behavioural measurements were obtained. Intraclass Correlation (ICC) analysis was used to assess agreement among observers. Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMMs) were employed for statistical analysis of the collected data.

Overall, the dataset was collected through controlled experiments involving training and testing phases, with behavioral observations recorded and analyzed using statistical models to investigate social influences on bumblebee cooperation.