•1 min read•from Science News
Submerged bumblebee queens breathe underwater
Our take
Recent lab research reveals that submerged bumblebee queens possess remarkable adaptations, allowing them to breathe underwater and utilize strategies that do not rely on oxygen. This ability may provide crucial survival advantages during floods, a growing concern in a changing climate. By exploring these unique respiratory mechanisms, scientists gain insight into the resilience of these essential pollinators. Understanding the survival tactics of submerged bumblebee queens enhances our knowledge of biodiversity and highlights the importance of safeguarding ecosystems as climate challenges intensify.
Submerged bees breathe and use strategies that don’t require oxygen, lab tests show. In nature, that trick could help the bees survive floods.
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