The rational capacity of the lilliputian bee brain continues to astonish , with the latest discovery being they can learn that sure symbolisation represent mathematical amounts . As with everything we have learned about bee word , this must be done with astonishing efficiency , since they possess just a million neurons . therefore , it is likely that replicating their methodology , if we can find out it , will provide the best chance to trail machines light on processing index .
Dr Adrian Dyerof Australia ’s RMIT has been part of some noteworthy studies demonstrating the capacity of the bee brain , including the fact that they can sympathize theconcept of zero – something many human civilization never invented .
For this study , Dyer ’s studentDr Scarlett Howardtrained 10 bees to choose which arm of a Y - shaped snarl to fell down base on matching symbols to a certain figure of elements . For example , the bees might be show a symbol represent the number 2 , and then present with three shapes / image in one arm and two in the other . pick out the arm that play off the symbolization led them to a sugar result , while the wrong option pass to a bitter - tasting deglutition .
The bees were then tested on their power to transfer this association to the same number of unlike Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe . A 2nd group of bees did the experiment in reverse – being shew the bit of shapes , then have to choose a matching symbolisation .
In theProceedings of the Royal Society B , Dyer and Howard report both set of bee get better at pick the correct tangle arm the more breeding they had , even when the shapes changed , showing they really understood it was the number of object that mattered . However , neither group of bee could impromptu reverse the tie-up – they did n’t perform importantly better than chance on the other radical ’s test without additional preparation .
" We take it for granted once we ’ve larn our turn as children , but being able to greet what ' tetrad ' represents actually require a advanced level of cognitive ability , " Dyer sound out in astatement . " discipline have shown order Primates and chick can also learn to connect symbols with figure , but this is the first clip we ’ve seen this in insects . ”
The fact that each group of bee could not make the cognitive leap to the turnabout prove vertebrates still have some intellectual advantages over insects . Alex thefamously brilliantparrot , for example , was able to learn not just human names for numbers but engage inbasic arithmetical . Nevertheless , the findings may help us understand how brute first gained a conception of number .
Dyer also regard the work as potentially useful for computing design , saying : “ When we ’re looking for answer to complex problems , we often observe that nature has already done the job far more elegantly and efficiently . "
