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Bumblebee species able to survive underwater for up to a week
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/apr/17/bumblebee-species-common-eastern-survive-underwater-hibernatingBumblebee species able to survive underwater for up to a week
Common eastern bumblebee queens’ ability while hibernating could help it endure flooding, scientists say
Nicola Davis Science correspondent
Wed 17 Apr 2024 00.00 EDT
Bumblebees might be at home in town and country but now researchers have found at least one species that is even more adaptable: it can survive underwater.
Scientists have revealed queens of the common eastern bumblebee, a species widespread in eastern North America, can withstand submersion for up to a week when hibernating.
[...]
“We know that about a third of all bumblebee species are in decline currently [but] it’s not the case with [the common eastern bumblebee],” said Dr Sabrina Rondeau of the University of Guelph in Canada, adding the team was keen to learn whether flood tolerance could play a role in their resilience.
[...]
Writing in the journal Biology Letters, the scientists describe how they took 143 unmated, hibernating queens of the common eastern bumblebee and placed each in its own plastic tube containing damp topsoil. The tubes were then fitted with perforated lids and kept in a dark refrigerated unit for a week.
[...]
Common eastern bumblebee queens’ ability while hibernating could help it endure flooding, scientists say
Nicola Davis Science correspondent
Wed 17 Apr 2024 00.00 EDT
Bumblebees might be at home in town and country but now researchers have found at least one species that is even more adaptable: it can survive underwater.
Scientists have revealed queens of the common eastern bumblebee, a species widespread in eastern North America, can withstand submersion for up to a week when hibernating.
[...]
“We know that about a third of all bumblebee species are in decline currently [but] it’s not the case with [the common eastern bumblebee],” said Dr Sabrina Rondeau of the University of Guelph in Canada, adding the team was keen to learn whether flood tolerance could play a role in their resilience.
[...]
Writing in the journal Biology Letters, the scientists describe how they took 143 unmated, hibernating queens of the common eastern bumblebee and placed each in its own plastic tube containing damp topsoil. The tubes were then fitted with perforated lids and kept in a dark refrigerated unit for a week.
[...]
