Email alison.mercer@otago.ac.nz
Research Interests
- The brain and behaviour of honey bees
- Development genetics
- The modulatory role of biogenic amines and their contribution to the regulation of neuronal development
- Olfaction and the central processing of olfactory information
- Learning and memory
Recent Projects
- Characterization of dopamine receptors in the brain of the honey bee
- Biogenic amine modulation of central olfactory neurons in the insect brain
- Queen retinue pheromone: royal manipulation of worker bee brain and behaviour
- Development of the olfactory pathways in the brain of the honey bee
Publications
Barron, A., Fahrbach, S. E., Mercer, A. R., Mesce, K. A., Schulz, D. J., Smith, B. H., & Søvik, E. (2023). Comment on "Food wanting is mediated by transient activation of dopaminergic signaling in the honey bee brain". Science, 381(6657), eadg3916. doi: 10.1126/science.adg3916 Journal - Research Other
Mondet, F., Blanchard, S., Barthes, N., Beslay, D., Bordier, C., Costagliola, G., … Kim, S. H., … Mercer, A. R., & Le Conte, Y. (2021). Chemical detection triggers honey bee defense against a destructive parasitic threat. Nature Chemical Biology, 17, 524-530. doi: 10.1038/s41589-020-00720-3 Journal - Research Article
Iwasaki, J. M., Barratt, B. I. P., Jandt, J. M., Jowett, T. W. D., Lord, J. M., Mercer, A. R., & Dickinson, K. J. M. (2020). Honey bees do not displace foraging bumble bees on nectar-rich artificial flowers. Apidologie, 51, 137-146. doi: 10.1007/s13592-019-00690-z Journal - Research Article
Kim, S. H., Mercer, A., Mitchell, A., de Miranda, J. R., Ward, V., Mondet, F., & Bostina, M. (2019). Viral infections alter antennal epithelium ultrastructure in honey bees. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 168, 107252. doi: 10.1016/j.jip.2019.107252 Journal - Research Article
Urlacher, E., Devaud, J.-M., & Mercer, A. R. (2019). Changes in responsiveness to allatostatin treatment accompany shifts in stress reactivity in young worker honey bees. Journal of Comparative Physiology A, 205, 51-59. doi: 10.1007/s00359-018-1302-0 Journal - Research Article
2023
Journal - Research Other
Barron, A., Fahrbach, S. E., Mercer, A. R., Mesce, K. A., Schulz, D. J., Smith, B. H., & Søvik, E. (2023). Comment on "Food wanting is mediated by transient activation of dopaminergic signaling in the honey bee brain". Science, 381(6657), eadg3916. doi: 10.1126/science.adg3916
2021
Journal - Research Article
Mondet, F., Blanchard, S., Barthes, N., Beslay, D., Bordier, C., Costagliola, G., … Kim, S. H., … Mercer, A. R., & Le Conte, Y. (2021). Chemical detection triggers honey bee defense against a destructive parasitic threat. Nature Chemical Biology, 17, 524-530. doi: 10.1038/s41589-020-00720-3
2020
Journal - Research Article
Iwasaki, J. M., Barratt, B. I. P., Jandt, J. M., Jowett, T. W. D., Lord, J. M., Mercer, A. R., & Dickinson, K. J. M. (2020). Honey bees do not displace foraging bumble bees on nectar-rich artificial flowers. Apidologie, 51, 137-146. doi: 10.1007/s13592-019-00690-z
2019
Journal - Research Article
Kim, S. H., Mercer, A., Mitchell, A., de Miranda, J. R., Ward, V., Mondet, F., & Bostina, M. (2019). Viral infections alter antennal epithelium ultrastructure in honey bees. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 168, 107252. doi: 10.1016/j.jip.2019.107252
Urlacher, E., Devaud, J.-M., & Mercer, A. R. (2019). Changes in responsiveness to allatostatin treatment accompany shifts in stress reactivity in young worker honey bees. Journal of Comparative Physiology A, 205, 51-59. doi: 10.1007/s00359-018-1302-0
2018
Journal - Research Article
Jarriault, D., Fuller, J., Hyland, B. I., & Mercer, A. R. (2018). Dopamine release in mushroom bodies of the honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) in response to aversive stimulation. Scientific Reports, 8, 16277. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-34460-1
Iwasaki, J. M., Dickinson, K. J. M., Barratt, B. I. P., Mercer, A. R., Jowett, T. W. D., & Lord, J. M. (2018). Floral usage partitioning and competition between social (Apis mellifera, Bombus terrestris) and solitary bees in New Zealand: Niche partitioning via floral preferences? Austral Ecology, 43, 937-948. doi: 10.1111/aec.12643
Kim, S. H., Mondet, F., Hervé, M., & Mercer, A. (2018). Honey bees performing varroa sensitive hygiene remove the most mite-compromised bees from highly infested patches of brood. Apidologie, 49(3), 335-345. doi: 10.1007/s13592-017-0559-6
2017
Journal - Research Article
Urlacher, E., Devaud, J.-M., & Mercer, A. R. (2017). C-type allatostatins mimic stress-related effects of alarm pheromone on honey bee learning and memory recall. PLoS ONE, 12(3), e0174321. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174321
2016
Journal - Research Article
Urlacher, E., Soustelle, L., Parmentier, M.-L., Verlinden, H., Gherardi, M.-J., Fourmy, D., Mercer, A. R., … Massou, I. (2016). Honey bee allatostatins target galanin/somatostatin-like receptors and modulate learning: A conserved function? PLoS ONE, 11(1), e0146248. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0146248
Mondet, F., Kim, S. H., de Miranda, J. R., Beslay, D., Le Conte, Y., & Mercer, A. R. (2016). Specific cues associated with honey bee social defence against Varroa destructor infested brood. Scientific Reports, 6, 25444. doi: 10.1038/srep25444
Urlacher, E., Monchanin, C., Rivière, C., Richard, F.-J., Lombardi, C., Michelsen-Heath, S., Hageman, K. J., & Mercer, A. R. (2016). Measurements of chlorpyrifos levels in forager bees and comparison with levels that disrupt honey bee odor-mediated learning under laboratory conditions. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 42(2), 127-138. doi: 10.1007/s10886-016-0672-4
Lagisz, M., Mercer, A. R., de Mouzon, C., Santos, L. L. S., & Nakagawa, S. (2016). Association of amine-receptor DNA sequence variants with associative learning in the honeybee. Behavior Genetics, 46(2), 242-251. doi: 10.1007/s10519-015-9749-z
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Iwasaki, J., Barratt, B., Lord, J., Mercer, A., & Dickinson, K. (2016). Do introduced honey bees compete with native bees in New Zealand? Proceedings of the VIII Southern Connection Congress. (pp. 113). Retrieved from http://southernconnection2016.com/congress/abstracts-viii-southern-connection-congress-2016-2/
2015
Journal - Research Article
Iwasaki, J. M., Barratt, B. I. P., Lord, J. M., Mercer, A. R., & Dickinson, K. J. M. (2015). The New Zealand experience of varroa invasion highlights research opportunities for Australia. AMBIO, 44(7), 694-704. doi: 10.1007/s13280-015-0679-z
Mondet, F., Alaux, C., Severac, D., Rohmer, M., Mercer, A. R., & Le Conte, Y. (2015). Antennae hold a key to Varroa-sensitive hygiene behaviour in honey bees. Scientific Reports, 5, 10454. doi: 10.1038/srep10454
Verlinden, H., Vleugels, R., Verdonck, R., Urlacher, E., Vanden Broeck, J., & Mercer, A. (2015). Pharmacological and signalling properties of a D2-like dopamine receptor (Dop3) in Tribolium castaneum. Insect Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, 56, 9-20. doi: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2014.11.002
Journal - Research Other
Zhang, B., & Mercer, A. R. (2015). The power of comparison. Journal of Comparative Physiology A, 201(9), 827-828. doi: 10.1007/s00359-015-1029-0
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Urlacher, E., Monchanin, C., Rivière, C., Heath, S., Mercer, A. R., Richard, F.-J., … Hageman, K. (2015, November). Chlorpyrifos and honeybees: Threshold values for sub-lethal memory and learning effects relative to measured amounts in New Zealand honeybees. Verbal presentation at the Toxicology Symposium: Toxicology for the Modern Researcher, Dunedin, New Zealand.
2014
Journal - Research Article
Urlacher, E., Tarr, I. S., & Mercer, A. R. (2014). Social modulation of stress reactivity and learning in young worker honey bees. PLoS ONE, 9(12), e113630. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0113630
McQuillan, H. J., Nakagawa, S., & Mercer, A. R. (2014). Juvenile hormone enhances aversive learning performance in 2-day old worker honey bees while reducing their attraction to queen mandibular pheromone. PLoS ONE, 9(11), e112740. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112740
Mondet, F., de Miranda, J. R., Kretzschmar, A., Le Conte, Y., & Mercer, A. R. (2014). On the front line: Quantitative virus dynamics in honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies along a new expansion front of the parasite Varroa destructor. PLoS Pathogens, 10(8), 1004323. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004323
2013
Chapter in Book - Research
Urlacher, E., Devaud, J.-M., & Mercer, A. R. (2013). Pheromones acting as social signals modulate learning in honeybees. In R. Menzel & P. R. Benjamin (Eds.), Invertebrate learning and memory. (pp. 442-449). Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-415823-8.00032-0
Journal - Research Article
Verlinden, H., Lismont, E., Bil, M., Urlacher, E., Mercer, A., Vanden Broeck, J., & Huybrechts, R. (2013). Characterisation of a functional allatotropin receptor in the bumblebee, Bombus terrestris (Hymenoptera, Apidae). General & Comparative Endocrinology, 193, 193-200. doi: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2013.08.006
Geddes, L. H., McQuillan, H. J., Aiken, A., Vergoz, V., & Mercer, A. R. (2013). Steroid hormone (20-hydroxyecdysone) modulates the acquisition of aversive olfactory memories in pollen forager honeybees. Learning & Memory, 20, 399-409. doi: 10.1101/lm.030825.113
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Iwasaki, J., Barratt, B., Lord, J., Mercer, A., & Dickinson, K. (2013). The varroa invasion of Australasia. Proceedings of EcoTas13: The 5th Joint Conference of New Zealand Ecological Society (NZES) and Ecological Society of Australia (ESA). (pp. 178). Retrieved from https://newzealandecology.org/node/40
2012
Chapter in Book - Research
Mustard, J. A., Vergoz, V., Mesce, K. A., Klukas, K. A., Beggs, K. T., Geddes, L. H., McQuillan, H. J., & Mercer, A. R. (2012). Dopamine signaling in the bee. In C. G. Galizia, D. Eisenhardt & Giurfa (Eds.), Honeybee neurobiology and behavior: A tribute to Randolf Menzel. (pp. 199-209). Dordrecht, TheNetherlands: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-94-007-2099-2_16
Journal - Research Article
McQuillan, H. J., Barron, A. B., & Mercer, A. R. (2012). Age- and behaviour-related changes in the expression of biogenic amine receptor genes in the antennae of honey bees (Apis mellifera). Journal of Comparative Physiology A, 198(10), 753-761. doi: 10.1007/s00359-012-0745-y
McQuillan, H. J., Nakagawa, S., & Mercer, A. R. (2012). Mushroom bodies of the honeybee brain show cell population-specific plasticity in expression of amine-receptor genes. Learning & Memory, 19(4), 151-158. doi: 10.1101/lm.025353.111
Ellen, C. W., & Mercer, A. R. (2012). Modulatory actions of dopamine and serotonin on insect antennal lobe neurons: Insights from studies in vitro. Journal of Molecular Histology, 43(4), 401-404. doi: 10.1007/s10735-012-9401-7
Jarriault, D., & Mercer, A. R. (2012). Queen mandibular pheromone: Questions that remain to be resolved. Apidologie, 43(3), 292-307. doi: 10.1007/s13592-011-0117-6
Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)
McQuillan, H. J., Barron, A. B., & Mercer, A. R. (2012, June). Plasticity in the antennal expression of amine-receptor genes in the honey bee Apis mellifera L. Poster session presented at the XVI International Symposium on Olfaction and Taste, Stockholm, Sweden.
2011
Journal - Research Article
Beggs, K. T., Tyndall, J. D. A., & Mercer, A. R. (2011). Honey bee dopamine and octopamine receptors linked to intracellular calcium signaling have a close phylogenetic and pharmacological relationship. PLoS ONE, 6(11), e26809. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0026809
Mondet, F., Goodwin, M., & Mercer, A. (2011). Age-related changes in the behavioural response of honeybees to Apiguard®, a thymol-based treatment used to control the mite Varroa destructor. Journal of Comparative Physiology A, 197(11), 1055-1062. doi: 10.1007/s00359-011-0666-1
Wass, R., Harland, T., & Mercer, A. (2011). Scaffolding critical thinking in the zone of proximal development. Higher Education Research & Development, 30(3), 317-328. doi: 10.1080/07294360.2010.489237
2009
Journal - Research Article
Vergoz, V., McQuillan, H. J., Geddes, L. H., Pullar, K., Nicholson, B. J., Paulin, M. G., & Mercer, A. R. (2009). Peripheral modulation of worker bee responses to queen mandibular pheromone. PNAS, 106(49), 20930-20935. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0907563106
Beggs, K. T., & Mercer, A. R. (2009). Dopamine receptor activation by honey bee queen pheromone. Current Biology, 19(14), 1206-1209. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2009.05.051
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Milton, S. M., Millar, C. D., Cheeseman, J. F., Sleigh, J. W., Goodwin, R. M., Menzel, R., Mercer, A. R., & Warman, G. R. (2009). The effect of circadian clock plasticity on memory and learning. Proceedings of the ComBio2009 Conference. [CD-ROM] [Abstract]
Wass, R., Mercer, A., & Harland, T. (2009). The scaffold: A framework to support or suspend learning? Proceedings of the Tertiary Education Research in New Zealand Conference. Retrieved from http://www.herdsa.org.nz/file.php/5/Wass.htm
2008
Journal - Research Article
Kloppenburg, P., & Mercer, A. R. (2008). Serotonin modulation of moth central olfactory neurons. Annual Review of Entomology, 53, 179-190. doi: 10.1146/annurev.ento.53.103106.093408
Mercer, A. R. (2008). A bee-line into learning and memory mechanisms. Cellular & Molecular Life Sciences, 65(22), 3521-3524.
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Mercer, A. R., Beggs, K. T., & Vergoz, V. (2008). Queen mandibular pheromone modulates dopamine signaling in the brain of young worker bees. Proceedings of the Society for Neuroscience 38th Annual Meeting. SfN. Retrieved from http://www.abstractsonline.com/plan/AdvancedSearch.aspx
Mercer, A. R. (2008). Manipulating dopamine pathways in the bee brain: Impacts on brain function and behaviour. In J. G. Anson (Ed.), Proceedings of the 26th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. 26, (pp. 19). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://psy.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/Abstracts/2008Abstracts.pdf
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Mercer, A. (2008, August). Manipulating dopamine pathways in the bee brain: Impacts on brain function and behaviour. Invited presentation at the 26th International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research, Queenstown, New Zealand.
2007
Journal - Research Article
Carrington, E., Kokay, I. C., Duthie, J., Lewis, R., & Mercer, A. R. (2007). Manipulating the light/dark cycle: Effects on dopamine levels in optic lobes of the honey bee (Apis mellifera) brain. Journal of Comparative Physiology A, 193(2), 167-180.
Beggs, K. T., Glendining, K. A., Marechal, N. M., Vergoz, V., Nakamura, I., Slessor, K. N., & Mercer, A. R. (2007). Queen pheromone modulates brain dopamine function in worker honey bees. PNAS, 104(7), 2460-2464.
Vergoz, V., Schreurs, H. A., & Mercer, A. R. (2007). Queen pheromone blocks aversive learning in young worker bees. Science, 317, 384-386.
2006
Journal - Research Article
Perk, C. G., & Mercer, A. R. (2006). Dopamine modulation of honey bee (Apis mellifera) antennal-lobe neurons. Journal of Neurophysiology, 95, 1147-1157.
The Honeybee Genome Sequencing Consortium, including Beggs, K. T., Mercer, A. R., Dearden, P. K., & Wilson, M. J. (2006). Insights into social insects from the genome of the honeybee Apis mellifera. Nature, 443, 931-949.
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Wass, R., Mercer, A., & Harland, T. (2006). Learning in the zone. Proceedings of the Improving University Teaching 31st International Conference. IUT. Retrieved from http://www.iutconference.org/2006/sessionVI.htm
Beggs, K. T., Marechal, N., Glendining, K. A., & Mercer, A. R. (2006). The effect of queen mandibular pheromone on dopamine systems in the brain of the honey bee Apis mellifera. Proceedings of the Australian Neuroscience Society 26th Annual Meeting. 17, (pp. 98). ANS. [Abstract]
Vergoz, V., & Mercer, A. R. (2006). The effect of the queen pheromone on aversive learning in the honey bee Apis mellifera. Proceedings of the Australian Neuroscience Society 26th Annual Meeting. 17, (pp. 98). ANS. [Abstract]
Wass, R., Harland, T., & Mercer, A. (2006). Learning in the zone. In R. Spronken-Smith (Ed.), Proceedings of the Spotlight on Teaching at Otago Conference. (pp. 31). Dunedin, New Zealand: HEDC, University of Otago. [Abstract]
2005
Journal - Research Article
Mustard, J. A., Beggs, K. T., & Mercer, A. R. (2005). Molecular biology of the invertebrate dopamine receptors. Archives of Insect Biochemistry & Physiology, 59(3), 103-117.
Mercer, A. R., Kloppenburg, P., & Hildebrand, J. G. (2005). Plateau potentials in developing antennal-lobe neurons of the moth, Manduca sexta. Journal of Neurophysiology, 93, 1949-1958.
Beggs, K. T., Hamilton, I. S., Kurshan, P. T., Mustard, J. A., & Mercer, A. R. (2005). Characterization of a D2-like dopamine receptor (AmDOP3) in honey bee, Apis mellifera. Insect Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, 35, 873-882. doi: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2005.03.005
Mustard, J. A., Kurshan, P. T., Hamilton, I. S., Blenau, W., & Mercer, A. R. (2005). Developmental expression of a tyramine receptor gene in the brain of the honey bee, Apis mellifera. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 483(1), 66-75. doi: 10.1002/cne.20420
2004
Journal - Research Article
Brown, S. M., Napper, R. M., & Mercer, A. R. (2004). Foraging experience, glomerulus volume, and synapse number: A stereological study of the honey bee antennal lobe. Journal of Neurobiology, 60, 40-50.
2003
Journal - Research Article
Kurshan, P. T., Hamilton, I. S., Mustard, J. A., & Mercer, A. R. (2003). Developmental changes in expression patterns of two dopamine receptor genes in mushroom bodies of the honeybee, Apis mellifera. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 466(1), 91-103. doi: 10.1002/cne.10864
Humphries, M., Mustard, J. A., Hunter, S. J., Mercer, A. R., Ward, V. K., & Ebert, P. R. (2003). Invertebrate D2 type dopamine receptor exhibits age-based plasticity of expression in the mushroom bodies of the honeybee brain. Journal of Neurobiology, 55, 315-330.
Mustard, J. A., Blenau, W., Hamilton, I. S., Ward, V. K., Ebert, P. R., & Mercer, A. R. (2003). Analysis of two D1-like dopamine receptors from the honey bee Apis mellifera reveals agonist-independent activity. Molecular Brain Research, 113, 67-77.
2002
Journal - Research Article
Brown, S. M., Napper, R. M. A., Thompson, C. M., & Mercer, A. R. (2002). Stereological analysis reveals striking differences in the structural plasticity of two readily identifiable glomeruli in the antennal lobes of the adult worker honeybee. Journal of Neuroscience, 22, 8514-8522.
Mercer, A. R., & Hildebrand, J. G. (2002). Developmental changes in the density of ionic currents in antennal-lobe neurons of the sphinx moth, Manduca sexta. Journal of Neurophysiology, 87, 2664-2675.
Mercer, A. R., & Hildebrand, J. G. (2002). Developmental changes in the electrophysiological properties and response characteristics of Manduca antennal-lobe neurons. Journal of Neurophysiology, 87, 2650-2663.
2001
Chapter in Book - Research
Mercer, A. R. (2001). The predictable plasticity of honey bees. In C. Shaw & J. McEachern (Eds.), Toward a Theory of Neuroplasticity. (pp. 64-81). Philadelphia, USA: Psychology Press.
Journal - Research Article
McPartland, J., Di Marzo, V., De Petrocellis, L., Mercer, A., & Glass, M. (2001). Cannabinoid receptors are absent in insects. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 436(4), 423-429. doi: 10.1002/cne.1078
McPartland, J., Di Marzo, V., De Petrocellis, L., Mercer, A. R., & Glass, M. (2001). Cannabinoid receptors absent in insects. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 436, 423-429.
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Brown, S. M., Thompson, C. M., Napper, R. M. A., & Mercer, A. R. (2001). An increase in glomerular volume does not necessarily indicate an increase in synapse number: A quantitative analysis of antennal lobe of the worker honey bee Apis mellifera. International Journal of Neuroscience, 108, (pp. 229). [Abstract]
Mercer, A. R., Ferns, D., Kloppenburg, P., & Hildebrand, J. G. (2001). Diel fluctuations in serotonin levels in primary olfactory centres of the brain of the sphinx moth, Manduca sexta: What is their functional significance? International Journal of Neuroscience. 108, (pp. 228). [Abstract]
Brown, S. M., Napper, R. M. A., & Mercer, A. R. (2001). Quantification of volume changes in the antennal lobes of the worker honey bee, Apis mellifera. International Journal of Neuroscience. 108, (pp. 229). [Abstract]
Mustard, J. A., Humphries, M., Ebert, P. R., Ward, V. K., & Mercer, A. R. (2001). Identification and characterization of a D1-like dopamine receptor from the honey bee, Apis mellifera. International Journal of Neuroscience. 109, (pp. 207). [Abstract]
Mustard, J. A., Rawson, R., Blenau, W., & Mercer, A. R. (2001). Dopamine receptors in the brain of the honey bee, Apis mellifera. Central European Conference of Neurobiology. (pp. 61). European Neurosciences Society. [Abstract]
Mustard, J. A., Blenau, W., & Mercer, A. R. (2001). Analysis of two D1-like dopamine receptors from honey bee. Proceedings of the Sixth International Congress in Neuroethology. (pp. 388). International Society for Neuroethology. [Abstract]
Mustard, J. A., & Mercer, A. R. (2001). Analysis of two D1-like dopamine receptors from honey bee reveals constitutive activity. American Society for Neuroscience Abstracts. 24, (pp. 2124). Washington DC, USA: Society for Neuroscience. [Abstract]
Mercer, A. R. (2001). Plasticity of aminergic systems and their modulatory messages in the insect brain. Proceedings of the Sixth International Congress of Neuroethology. (pp. S12.3). International Society for Neuroethology. [Abstract]
2000
Journal - Research Article
Brown, S. M., Napper, R. M. A., & Mercer, A. R. (2000). Analysis of structure plasticity in the honey bee brain using the Cavalieri estimator of volume and the disector method. Image Analysis & Stereology, 19(2), 139-144. doi: 10.5566/ias.v19.p139-144
Brown, S. M., Napper, R. M. A., & Mercer, A. R. (2000). Structural plasticity in the antennal lobes of the worker honey bee, Apis mellifera. Image Analysis & Stereology, 19, 139-144.
Purnell, M. T., Mitchell, C. J., Taylor, D. J., Kokay, I. C., & Mercer, A. R. (2000). The influence of endogenous dopamine levels on the density of [3H]SCH23390-binding sites in the brain of the honey bee, Apis mellifera L. Brain Research, 855, 206-216.
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Brown, S. M., Thompson, C. M., Napper, R. M. A., & Mercer, A. R. (2000). An increase in glomerular volume does not necessarily indicate an increase in synapse number: A quantitative analysis of the antennal lobe of the honey bee, Apis mellifera. American Society for Neuroscience Abstracts. 26, (pp. 726). [Abstract]
Mercer, A. R., Kloppenburg, P., & Hildebrand, J. G. (2000). Plateau potentials in antennal-lobe neurons of the sphinx moth, Manduca sexta. American Society for Neuroscience Abstracts. 23, (pp. 68). [Abstract]
1999
Chapter in Book - Research
Mercer, A. R. (1999). Changing the way we perceive things: Sensory systems modulation. In P. Katz (Ed.), In 'Beyond Neurotransmission: Neuromodulation and its Importance for Information Processing'. (pp. 198-240). New York, USA: Oxford University Press.
Journal - Research Article
Kloppenburg, P., Ferns, D., & Mercer, A. R. (1999). Serotonin enhances central olfactory neuron responses to female sex pheromones in the male sphinx moth, Manduca sexta. Journal of Neuroscience, 19, 8172-8181.
Kokay, I. C., Ebert, P. R., Kirchhof, B. S., & Mercer, A. R. (1999). Distribution of dopamine receptors and dopamine receptor homologs in the brain of the honeybee, Apis mellifera L. Microscopy Research & Technique, 44, 179-189.
Kloppenburg, P., Kirchhof, B. S., & Mercer, A. R. (1999). Voltage-activated currents from adult honeybee (Apis mellifera) antennal motor neurons recorded in vitro and in situ. Journal of Neurophysiology, 81(1), 39-48.
Kirchhof, B. S., Homberg, U., & Mercer, A. R. (1999). Development of dopamine-immunoreactive neurons associated with the antennal lobes of the honey bee, Apis mellifera. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 411, 643-653.
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Mercer, A. R., Brown, S. M., Dunston, C., Kirchhof, B. S., Kokay, I. C., Perk, C. G., Sigg, D., & Winnington, A. P. (1999). Behaviour-related plasticity in the antennal lobes of the honey bee, Apis mellifera L. In N. Elsner & U. Eysel (Eds.), Göttingen Neurobiology Report 1999. 1, (pp. 129). Thieme Verlag. [Abstract]
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Armstrong, S. M., Napper, R. M. A., & Mercer, A. R. (1999, November). Analysis of structural plasticity in the honey bee brain using the Cavalieri estimator of volume and the disector method. Verbal presentation at the 10th International Congress for Stereology, Melbourne, Australia.
1998
Journal - Research Article
Kokay, I. C., McEwan, J. C., & Mercer, A. R. (1998). Autoradiographic localisation of [3H]-SCH23390 and [3H]-spiperone binding sites in honeybee brain. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 394, 29-37.
Morgan, S., Butz-Huryn, V. M., Downes, S. J., & Mercer, A. R. (1998). The effects of queenlessness on the maturation of the honeybee olfactory system. Behavioural Brain Research, 91, 115-126.
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Mercer, A. R. (1998). Developmental changes to the brain of the honey bee. Proceedings of the Fifth International Congress in Neuroethology. S15. [Abstract]
Mercer, A. R. (1998). Activity-dependent changes to the brain of the honey bee Apis mellifera L. Proceedings of the Australian Neuroscience Society. 9. [Abstract]
Mercer, A. R., Brown, S. M., Kirchhof, B. S., Kloppenburg, P., Kokay, I. C., & Perk, C. G. (1998). Cellular analysis of the modulatory effects of biogenic amines on the brain and behaviour of the honey bee, Apis mellifera. Proceedings of the XIII International Congress of the International Union for the Study of Social Insects. (pp. 311). [Abstract]
Mercer, A. R., Kloppenburg, P., & Hildebrand, J. G. (1998). Changes in electrophysiological properties of central olfactory neurons associated with metamorphic adult development of the sphinx moth. International Journal of Neuroscience, 94(1-2), (pp. 105). [Abstract]
Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)
Armstrong, S. M., Napper, R. M. A., & Mercer, A. R. (1998). Ultrastructural analysis of maturation of the antennal lobes of the adult worker honey bee (Apis Mellifera). Poster session presented at the Australian Microscopy Conference.
1997
Journal - Research Article
Sigg, D., Thompson, C. M., & Mercer, A. R. (1997). Activity-dependent changes to the brain and behaviour of the honey bee, Apis mellifera. Journal of Neuroscience, 17(18), 7148-7156.
Kokay, I. C., & Mercer, A. R. (1997). Age-related changes in dopamine receptor densities in the brain of the honey bee, Apis mellifera. Journal of Comparative Physiology A, 181(4), 415-423.
Kirchhof, B. S., & Mercer, A. R. (1997). Antennal lobe neurons of the honey bee (Apis mellifera) express a D2-like dopamine receptor in vitro. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 383(2), 189-198.
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Kirchhof, B. S., & Mercer, A. R. (1997). Effects of dopamine and serotonin on neurite length of honey bee antennal-lobe neurons in vitro. American Society for Neuroscience Abstracts. 23. [Abstract]
Kirchhof, B. S., Ferns, D., & Mercer, A. R. (1997). Development of dopaminergic and serotonergic innervation of the antennal lobes of the honey bee, Apis mellifera. International Journal of Neuroscience. 89. [Abstract]
Mercer, A. R., Kloppenburg, P., & Hildebrand, J. G. (1997). Developmental changes in electrophysiological properties of neurons of moth antennal lobes. American Society for Neuroscience Abstracts. 23. [Abstract]
Mercer, A. R., Kloppenburg, P., & Hildebrand, J. G. (1997). Semi-intact brain preparations reveal the advantages and limitations of in vitro analysis of insect antennal-lobe neurons. International Journal of Neuroscience Abstracts. 89, (pp. 97). [Abstract]
Kokay, I. C., Mitchell, C. J., Purnell, M. T., & Mercer, A. R. (1997). The effect of changes in dopamine levels on D1-like dopamine receptor densities in the brain of the honey bee. International Journal of Neuroscience. 89, (pp. 98). [Abstract]
Armstrong, S. M., Sigg, D., Winnington, A. P., Thompson, C. M., Napper, R. M. A., & Mercer, A. R. (1997). Structural plasticity of the antennal lobes of the worker honey bee, Apis mellifera. American Society for Neuroscience Abstracts. 23. [Abstract]
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Armstrong, S. M., Sigg, D., Winnington, A. P., Thompson, C. M., Napper, R. M. A., & Mercer, A. R. (1997). Structural plasticity of the antennal lobes of the worker honey bee 'Apis Mellifera'. Verbal presentation at the Society for Neuroscience
1996
Journal - Research Article
Kokay, I. C., & Mercer, A. R. (1996). Characterisation of dopamine receptors in insect (Apis mellifera) brain. Brain Research, 706, 47-56.
Winnington, A. P., Napper, R. M., & Mercer, A. R. (1996). Structural plasicity of identified glomeruli in the antennal lobes of the adult worker honey bee. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 365(3), 479-490.
Stark, L. L., Mercer, A. R., Emptage, N. J., & Carew, T. J. (1996). Pharmacological and kinetic characterization of two functional classes of serotonergic modulation in Aplysia sensory neurons. Journal of Neurophysiology, 75, 855-866.
Mercer, A. R., Kloppenburg, P., & Hildebrand, J. G. (1996). Serotonin-induced changes in the excitability of cultured antennal-lobe neurons of the sphinx moth, Manduca sexta. Journal of Comparative Physiology A, 178, 21-31.
Mercer, A. R., Kirchhof, B. S., & Hildebrand, J. G. (1996). Enhancement by serotonin of the growth in vitro of antennal-lobe neurons of the sphinx moth, Manduca sexta. Journal of Neurobiology, 29, 49-64.
1995
Journal - Research Article
Oland, L. A., Kirschenbaum, S. R., Pott, W. M., Mercer, A. R., & Tolbert, L. P. (1995). Development of an identified serotonergic neuron in the antennal lobe of the moth and effects of reduction in serotonin during construction of olfactory golmeruli. Journal of Neurobiology, 28, 248-267.