Some bees have developed a style for carrion, in a delightfully twisted evolutionary flip. These vulture bees, as they’re recognized, function distinctive intestine microbes that assist them digest meat.

A group of entomologists, looking for to study extra about these pollen-eschewing bees, not too long ago arrange rooster baits in a Costa Rican forest. They ended up amassing a bunch of vulture bees (Trigona necrophaga) and analyzed their guts and genetics intimately.

“These are the only bees in the world that have evolved to use food sources not produced by plants, which is a pretty remarkable change in dietary habits,” stated Doug Yanega, an entomologist at University of California, Riverside and a co-author of the latest paper, in a college press release.

While unusual bees have pockets on their again legs to retailer pollen as they flit from flower to flower, the vulture bees have repurposed the shops as “little chicken baskets,” in line with examine co-author Quinn McFrederick, additionally an entomologist at UC Riverside.

Besides apparent exterior options, the group needed to know what was occurring contained in the bees. Most bees’ guts are occupied by 5 sorts of microbes that assist the animals break down what they eat. So what occurs when a species swaps out pollen for uncooked rooster and nectar for blood?

To determine it out, they collected different bee species that solely typically eat meat, in addition to some which might be strictly vegetarian, to match the micro organism that populate the bugs’ guts. The carrion-eaters’ guts had a definite microbiome, one constructed for breaking down meat.

“The vulture bee microbiome is enriched in acid-loving bacteria, which are novel bacteria that their relatives don’t have,” McFrederick stated. “These bacteria are similar to ones found in actual vultures, as well as hyenas and other carrion-feeders, presumably to help protect them from pathogens that show up on carrion.”

The group thinks that the bees in all probability started consuming meat attributable to competitors for nectar. Whatever the explanation, you must surprise concerning the new evolutionary trajectory the animals could now be set on—let’s hope they don’t develop a hankering for people.

More: The Genetics Behind Bees’ Black and Yellow Butts