not, even though the results advise that adaptation in learning efficiency one of bumble-bee colonies represents the best reason for seen differences in their foraging results, we require then facts to establish a great causal link
Shortly after colonies was in fact taken into job determine foraging abilities, they certainly were exposed to possible illness of parasitic organisms on the pure environment. Present efficiency and additionally recommend that version certainly colonies from inside the natural colour taste (having violet over bluish) make a difference to foraging performance (Raine & Chittka 2007a). In our earlier in the day analysis, we checked-out along with preferences and you can foraging show off colonies increased away from wild-trapped queens inside their natal habitat in which violet flowers lead a little more nectar than simply bluish plant life (Raine & Chittka 2007a). Although not, within investigation, i counted brand new foraging results away from theoretically bred colonies, originally produced from a people indigenous to the brand new east Mediterranean, inside the good flowers to which that they had never ever in past times become established.
Support for inferring a causative link between variation in learning speed and colony foraging success would be strengthened if we could demonstrate that colonies varied in some other behavioural trait (not involving learning) that did not correlate with either learning or foraging performance.