The evolution of honey bee brains

Researchers have proposed a new model for the evolution of higher brain functions and behaviors in the Hymenoptera order of insects. The team compared the Kenyon cells, a type of neuronal cell, in the mushroom bodies (a part of the insect brain involved in learning, memory and sensory integration) of “primitive” sawflies and sophisticated honey bees. They found that three diverse, specialized Kenyon cell subtypes in honey bee brains appear to have evolved from a single, multifunctional Kenyon cell-subtype ancestor. In the future, this research could help us better understand the evolution of some of our own higher brain functions and behaviors.

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Tokyo , Japan , Bunkyo Ku , Masatsugu Hatakeyama , Takeo Kubo , Nicola Burghall , Hiroki Kohno , Takayoshi Kuwabara , Food Research Organization , School Science , University Of Tokyo Is Japan , Twitter , Scientific Research , Research Contact , School Of Science , University Of Tokyo , Public Relations Group , Method Of Research , Japan National Agriculture , Professor Takeo Kubo , Graduate School , National Agriculture , Assistant Professor Hiroki Kohno , Erelations Group ,