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Oliveira W, Colares LF, Porto RG, Viana BF, Tabarelli M, Lopes AV. Food plants in Brazil: origin, economic value of pollination and pollinator shortage risk. Sci Total Environ 2024; 912:169147. [PMID: 38065486 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Pollination is a key ecosystem service of critical importance for food production. However, globally, several regions are already experiencing pollinator shortage as pollinators are declining. Here, we investigate the origin, pollinator dependence and economic value of 199 food crops cultivated in Brazil to understand to which extent (1) Brazilian agriculture is vulnerable to pollinator shortage, and (2) Brazilian society has already achieved a comprehensive perspective about crop dependence. We used Brazil as a case study as it is a megadiverse tropical country and the 3rd largest world crop producer and exporter, with most of the crops depending on pollinators. Our findings revealed that over half (53.7%) of the food crops in Brazil are native, with the North region of Brazil housing the higher diversity of native crops, in contrast with the South and Southeast regions. Additionally, considering the reproductive systems, among native food crops, 65.6% exhibit self-incompatibility or dioecy (i.e., requiring obligatory cross-pollination), whereas 30.6% of exotic food crops display this trait. Overall, Brazilian municipalities produce more exotic crops than native ones, with almost 4/5 of the total agricultural area of the country dedicated to the cultivation of exotic crops, which are generally self-compatible commodities that rely low to modestly on pollinators. Regarding the biomes, we observe that this pattern is followed by most of them, but for the Caatinga dry forest, where native crops dependent on pollinators predominate. However, when soybean is removed from the analysis, the areas devoted to exotic crops always decreased, even being equal to native crops in the Atlantic forest. Our results also indicate that considering the pollinator shortage, some Brazilian biomes may be at risk of losing >20% of their yields, mainly in the Caatinga dry forest and the Atlantic forest. Therefore, in this paper, we are discussing that the expansion of monocultures in Brazil's agricultural lands may have several impacts on the provision of pollination services, food production and, then, on food security not only for the Brazilian population, as Brazil is the 3rd largest world agricultural producer and exporter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willams Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Vegetal, Departamento de Botânica, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Lucas F Colares
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Laboratório de Ecologia Teórica e Aplicada, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Rafaella G Porto
- Departamento de Botânica, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Blandina F Viana
- Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Tabarelli
- Departamento de Botânica, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Ariadna V Lopes
- Departamento de Botânica, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
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Abban S, Smith B, Corona M, Cook SC, Evans JD, Chen Y, Alburaki M. Prevalence and distribution of Varroa destructor and Nosema spp. in symptomatic honey bee colonies across the USA from 2015 to 2022. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1726. [PMID: 38242935 PMCID: PMC10798951 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51514-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory received symptomatic honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) samples across the United States for disease diagnosis. Here, we present a retrospective study and cartography of ectoparasite Varroa destructor and intracellular microsporidia parasite Nosema spp. These two major parasites were identified in the diseased honey bee samples between 2015 and 2022. Varroa infestation level (VIL) was examined by a wash technique (Mites/100 bees) and calculated as a percentage, while Nosema infection was quantified by microscopical spore count (Million Spores/Bee). Data were analyzed by month, year, state, and by nine geographical climate regions described in the U.S. Of adult bee samples (n = 4039) that were analyzed for Varroa mite infestation, the overall VIL in the U.S. ranged between 0.4 and 30.85%, with an overall national VIL and Varroa prevalence of 8.21% and 85.14%, respectively. Overall monthly data showed VIL constantly exceeded the critical level of 4% except from June to September and reached a maximum of 15% in January and December. Nationwide, VIL significantly (p < 0.001) increased from 2015 to 2018 (1.1-4.7%), plateaued from 2018 to 2021 (4.7-4.5%), followed by a significant decrease in 2022 (3.6%). Significant VIL differences (p < 0.001) were recorded among climate regions, with the highest mite infestation levels in the Upper Midwest region (13.9%) and the lowest in the West region (5.1%). Of adult bee samples (n = 2,994) that were analyzed for Nosema infection, Nosema spore count ranged between (1-16.8) million spores per bee among states, with a national average of 6.8 and a prevalence of 99.7%. The lowest and highest Nosema loads were respectively recorded in the South region (3.1) and Upper Midwest (10.5), a significant difference (p < 0.001). No statistical differences were recorded among the six other climate regions. Overall, VIL and Nosema infection correlated significantly (p < 0.001) with a regression coefficient of (R2 = 0.6). Our data, which originated from ailing bee colonies, showed significantly higher rates of maladies compared to data from healthy colonies obtained by the USDA-APHIS National Honey Bee Survey, demonstrating the role of bee diseases caused by Varroa mite and Nosema in honey bee population declines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Abban
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA
| | - Bart Smith
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA
| | - Miguel Corona
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA
| | - Steven C Cook
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA
| | - Jay D Evans
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA
| | - Yanping Chen
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA
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Panyushev N, Selitskiy M, Melnichenko V, Lebedev E, Okorokova L, Adonin L. Dynamic Evolution of Repetitive Elements and Chromatin States in Apis mellifera Subspecies. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:89. [PMID: 38254978 PMCID: PMC10815273 DOI: 10.3390/genes15010089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
In this study, we elucidate the contribution of repetitive DNA sequences to the establishment of social structures in honeybees (Apis mellifera). Despite recent advancements in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the formation of honeybee castes, primarily associated with Notch signaling, the comprehensive identification of specific genomic cis-regulatory sequences remains elusive. Our objective is to characterize the repetitive landscape within the genomes of two honeybee subspecies, namely A. m. mellifera and A. m. ligustica. An observed recent burst of repeats in A. m. mellifera highlights a notable distinction between the two subspecies. After that, we transitioned to identifying differentially expressed DNA elements that may function as cis-regulatory elements. Nevertheless, the expression of these sequences showed minimal disparity in the transcriptome during caste differentiation, a pivotal process in honeybee eusocial organization. Despite this, chromatin segmentation, facilitated by ATAC-seq, ChIP-seq, and RNA-seq data, revealed a distinct chromatin state associated with repeats. Lastly, an analysis of sequence divergence among elements indicates successive changes in repeat states, correlating with their respective time of origin. Collectively, these findings propose a potential role of repeats in acquiring novel regulatory functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick Panyushev
- Institute of Environmental and Agricultural Biology (X-BIO), Tyumen State University, 625003 Tyumen, Russia; (N.P.); (M.S.)
- Bioinformatics Institute, 197342 St. Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Max Selitskiy
- Institute of Environmental and Agricultural Biology (X-BIO), Tyumen State University, 625003 Tyumen, Russia; (N.P.); (M.S.)
| | - Vasilina Melnichenko
- International Scientific and Research Institute of Bioengineering, ITMO University, 197101 St. Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Egor Lebedev
- Institute of Environmental and Agricultural Biology (X-BIO), Tyumen State University, 625003 Tyumen, Russia; (N.P.); (M.S.)
| | | | - Leonid Adonin
- Institute of Environmental and Agricultural Biology (X-BIO), Tyumen State University, 625003 Tyumen, Russia; (N.P.); (M.S.)
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Group of Mechanisms for Nanosystems Targeted Delivery, 119121 Moscow, Russia
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Shi X, Ma C, Gustave W, Orr M, Sritongchuay T, Yuan Z, Wang M, Zhang X, Zhou Q, Huang Y, Luo A, Zhu C. Effects of arsenic and selenium pollution on wild bee communities in the agricultural landscapes. Sci Total Environ 2024; 907:168052. [PMID: 37898201 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
Wild bees play crucial roles in pollinating numerous crops and fruits worldwide. However, these essential insect pollinators are threatened with decline due to a variety of stressors. Among stressors, relatively little work has been done on metalloid pollution. Laboratory experiments have shown that arsenic (As) and selenium (Se) can negatively impact on bees, it is unknown if these effects translate in real-world environments. To address this knowledge gap, wild bee communities were sampled from 18 smallholder farmlands in Kaihua County in Quzhou, Southeast China and As and Se concentrations in three bee species were measured (Xylocopa tranquebarorum, Eucera floralia, and Apis cerana). Analyses revealed that the large carpenter bee, X. tranquebarorum, exhibited significantly lower As and Se concentrations than the other two wild bee species. No significant correlations were found between As and Se concentrations in all three wild bee species. Interestingly, the proportion of semi-natural habitat was found to be significantly related to reduced Se concentration in wild bee bodies, though no such effect was observed for As. As pollution negatively impacted bee diversity but not abundance, whereas Se significantly impacted neither bee diversity nor abundance. Furthermore, both As and Se pollution had no significant effect on the abundance of small-bodied wild bees. Given the essential role of wild bees for pollination services, monitoring of As and Se pollution in wild bee bodies and their food resources (pollen and nectar) is recommended across agricultural and other potentially impacted systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Shi
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Changsheng Ma
- Longping Branch Graduate School, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410125, China
| | - Williamson Gustave
- School of Chemistry, Environmental & Life Sciences, University of the Bahamas, New Providence, Nassau, P.O. Box N-4912, Bahamas
| | - Michael Orr
- Entomologie, Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Tuanjit Sritongchuay
- Department of Computational Landscape Ecology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany; Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology, Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Zhaofeng Yuan
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Institute of Plant Virology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Mei Wang
- Eurofins Technology Service (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., China
| | - Xiaokai Zhang
- Institute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Qingsong Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yixin Huang
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Recovery and Reconstruction of Degraded Ecosystem in Wanjiang Basin Co-founded by Anhui Province and Ministry of Education, School of Ecology and Environment, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Arong Luo
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; College of Life Sciences/International College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Chaodong Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; College of Life Sciences/International College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; State Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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Cecchetto F, Villalba A, Vazquez ND, Ramirez CL, Maggi MD, Miglioranza KSB. Occurrence of chlorpyrifos and organochlorine pesticides in a native bumblebee (Bombus pauloensis) living under different land uses in the southeastern Pampas, Argentina. Sci Total Environ 2023; 905:167117. [PMID: 37717766 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Pollinators such as Apidae bees are vital for ecosystems and food security. Unfortunately, their populations have declined due to several factors including pesticide use. Among them, the organophosphate insecticide chlorpyrifos, poses a global threat, while legacy compounds like organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) easily bioaccumulate, increasing the concern. Bombus pauloensis, a widely distributed native bee in Argentina, is used for commercial pollination; however, information regarding their health status is scarce. This study assessed chlorpyrifos and OCP levels in B. pauloensis (workers and males) and related environmental matrices living from three different land uses schemes, by means of GC-ECD and GC-MS. The ornamental horticulture field (OP) showed the highest total pesticide concentrations in workers (13.1 ng/g), flowers and soils, whereas the organic agriculture field (OA) exhibited the lowest. Chlorpyrifos was the most abundant compound, accounting for at least 20 % of pesticide load across all matrices. The food production horticulture field (FH) had the highest chlorpyrifos concentration in workers, males and soils (5.0, 4.4 and 3.3 ng/g, respectively), suggesting a local greater usage, whereas OA showed the lowest. Regarding OCPs groups, Drins and DDTs were predominant in most matrices, with FH males registering the highest levels (4.0 and 2.5 ng/g, respectively), closely followed by OP. However, metabolites' contribution indicated historical use and atmospheric inputs in all sites. Multivariate analyses confirmed the significance of site and bumblebee sex to explain pesticide composition. Males from all sites exhibited higher chlorpyrifos levels than workers and this trend was similar for some OCP groups. Overall, OA differed from FH and OP, indicating a correlation between production modes and pesticide profiles. This study demonstrates the value of B. pauloensis as a pesticide biomonitor but also offers insights into its populations' health in the area. In this sense, this information could be useful towards the preservation of this crucial pollinator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franco Cecchetto
- Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología y Contaminación Ambiental, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Funes 3350, Mar del Plata, Argentina; Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Funes 3350, Mar del Plata, Argentina.
| | - Agustina Villalba
- Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología y Contaminación Ambiental, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Funes 3350, Mar del Plata, Argentina; Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Funes 3350, Mar del Plata, Argentina; Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS), Laboratorio de Artrópodos - Grupo Acarología y Entomología, FCEyN, UNMdP, Funes 3350, Mar del Plata, Argentina; Instituto de Investigación en Sanidad, Producción y Ambiente (IIPROSAM), Funes 3350, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Nicolas D Vazquez
- Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología y Contaminación Ambiental, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Funes 3350, Mar del Plata, Argentina; Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Funes 3350, Mar del Plata, Argentina; Laboratorio de Biología de Cnidarios, FCEyN, UNMdP, Funes 3350, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Cristina L Ramirez
- Departamento de Química, FCEyN, UNMdP, Funes 3350, Mar del Plata, Argentina; Química Analítica y Modelado Molecular (QUIAMM), Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Biotecnología (INBIOTEC), CONICET, Funes 3350, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Matias D Maggi
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS), Laboratorio de Artrópodos - Grupo Acarología y Entomología, FCEyN, UNMdP, Funes 3350, Mar del Plata, Argentina; Instituto de Investigación en Sanidad, Producción y Ambiente (IIPROSAM), Funes 3350, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Karina S B Miglioranza
- Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología y Contaminación Ambiental, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Funes 3350, Mar del Plata, Argentina; Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Funes 3350, Mar del Plata, Argentina
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Siopa C, Castro H, Loureiro J, Castro S. PolLimCrop, a global dataset of pollen limitation in crops. Sci Data 2023; 10:905. [PMID: 38102159 PMCID: PMC10724254 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-023-02797-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Pollination is a crucial ecosystem service for maintaining plant communities and food production. 75% of the main crops depend on or benefit from pollination services provided by animal pollinators. However, when these services are insufficient and/or inefficient, crops experience pollen limitation with, often, lower associated yield, which may translate into economic losses. We constructed a global dataset that gathers studies with pollination experiments, aiming to provide pollen limitation values of animal-pollinated crops worldwide. Pollination experiments included hand pollen supplementation treatments, where plants were subjected to pollen supplementation of outcross pollen, and natural pollination treatments. The PolLimCrop dataset comprises 294 studies and 1169 unique pollen supplementation experiments with values of pollen limitation for 108 crops, spanning 50 years and 62 countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Siopa
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Associate Laboratory TERRA, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Helena Castro
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Associate Laboratory TERRA, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - João Loureiro
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Associate Laboratory TERRA, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Sílvia Castro
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Associate Laboratory TERRA, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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Frizzera D, Zanni V, D'Agaro M, Boaro G, Andreuzza L, Del Fabbro S, Annoscia D, Nazzi F. Varroa destructor exacerbates the negative effect of cold contributing to honey bee mortality. J Insect Physiol 2023; 151:104571. [PMID: 37832840 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2023.104571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Several concurrent stress factors can impact honey bee health and colony stability. Although a satisfactory knowledge of the effect of almost every single factor is now available, a mechanistic understanding of the many possible interactions between stressors is still largely lacking. Here we studied, both at the individual and colony level, how honey bees are affected by concurrent exposure to cold and parasitic infection. We found that the parasitic mite Varroa destructor, further than increasing the natural mortality of bees, can induce an anorexia that reduces their capacity to thermoregulate and thus react to sub-optimal temperatures. This, in turn, could affect the collective response of the bee colony to cold temperatures aggravating the effect already observed at the individual level. These results highlight the important role that biotic factors can have by shaping the response to abiotic factors and the strategic need to consider the potential interactions between stressors at all levels of the biological organization to better understand their impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Frizzera
- Dipartimento di Scienze AgroAlimentari, Ambientali e Animali, Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy.
| | - Virginia Zanni
- Dipartimento di Scienze AgroAlimentari, Ambientali e Animali, Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Mauro D'Agaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze AgroAlimentari, Ambientali e Animali, Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Giulia Boaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze AgroAlimentari, Ambientali e Animali, Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Laura Andreuzza
- Dipartimento di Scienze AgroAlimentari, Ambientali e Animali, Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Simone Del Fabbro
- Dipartimento di Scienze AgroAlimentari, Ambientali e Animali, Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Desiderato Annoscia
- Dipartimento di Scienze AgroAlimentari, Ambientali e Animali, Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Francesco Nazzi
- Dipartimento di Scienze AgroAlimentari, Ambientali e Animali, Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy.
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Yocgo REE, Hitimana I, Hakizimana M, Birachi EA. Insect pollinators can unlock an annual monetary value of more than US $100 million from crop production in Rwanda. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20108. [PMID: 37973992 PMCID: PMC10654601 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46936-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Insect pollinators provide a natural ecosystem service to more than 80% of known flowering plants, many of which are part of our diet. However, their importance in Africa and an agriculture-dependent country like Rwanda has yet to receive attention. This encumbers policy formulation and investments in insect pollinators as a strategic agronomic input. Meanwhile, Rwanda cultivates crops that can benefit significantly from insect pollinators for superior agronomic outputs. To uncover this, we characterized the dependence of the crop production subsector on insect pollinators. Using the bioeconomic approach, we assessed the total economic value and the value due to insect pollinators of crops cultivated in Rwanda. We also evaluated the crop's production value per ton and whether production would meet consumption demands in the complete absence of insect pollinators. Using 71 representative crops currently grown in Rwanda, we found a direct dependency of 62% on insect pollinators. Of 32 representative crops used for economic valuation in two years (2014 and 2020), their total monetary value is estimated at $2.551 billion to $2.788 billion. Direct insect pollinator-dependent crops accounted for 20% (2014) to 18% (2020) of this value, with the share attributed to insect pollinators above $100 million. The sector's vulnerability to insect pollinators decreased from 7.3% in 2014 to 4.3% in 2020. The mean production value per ton of the direct insect pollinator-dependent crops was found to be higher in 2014 before declining in 2020. Using 21 representative crops from 2014 to 2020, we found that many direct insect pollinator-dependent crops will struggle to meet consumption demands in the complete absence of all suitable insect pollinators. Finally, we propose interventions and future research that could be undertaken. These insights are a critical first step to propel the government to act on insect pollination to support its food security agenda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosita Endah Epse Yocgo
- African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda.
- Institute for Plant Biotechnology, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
| | - Isaac Hitimana
- African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
| | | | - Eliud Abucheli Birachi
- Pan Africa Bean Research Alliance- PABRA, International Center for Tropical Agriculture, CIAT, Kigali, Rwanda
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Chapman KM, Richardson FJ, Forster CY, Middleton EJT, White TE, Burke PF, Latty T. Artificial flowers as a tool for investigating multimodal flower choice in wild insects. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10687. [PMID: 38020672 PMCID: PMC10659823 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Flowers come in a variety of colours, shapes, sizes and odours. Flowers also differ in the quality and quantity of nutritional reward they provide to entice potential pollinators to visit. Given this diversity, generalist flower-visiting insects face the considerable challenge of deciding which flowers to feed on and which to ignore. Working with real flowers poses logistical challenges due to correlations between flower traits, maintenance costs and uncontrolled variables. Here, we overcome this challenge by designing multimodal artificial flowers that varied in visual, olfactory and reward attributes. We used artificial flowers to investigate the impact of seven floral attributes (three visual cues, two olfactory cues and two rewarding attributes) on flower visitation and species richness. We investigated how flower attributes influenced two phases of the decision-making process: the decision to land on a flower, and the decision to feed on a flower. Artificial flowers attracted 890 individual insects representing 15 morphospecies spanning seven arthropod orders. Honeybees were the most common visitors accounting for 46% of visitors. Higher visitation rates were driven by the presence of nectar, the presence of linalool, flower shape and flower colour and was negatively impacted by the presence of citral. Species richness was driven by the presence of nectar, the presence of linalool and flower colour. For hymenopterans, the probability of landing on the artificial flowers was influenced by the presence of nectar or pollen, shape and the presence of citral and/or linalool. The probability of feeding increased when flowers contained nectar. For dipterans, the probability of landing on artificial flowers increased when the flower was yellow and contained linalool. The probability of feeding increased when flowers contained pollen, nectar and linalool. Our results demonstrate the multi-attribute nature of flower preferences and highlight the usefulness of artificial flowers as tools for studying flower visitation in wild insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn M. Chapman
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Freya J. Richardson
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Sydney Institute of AgricultureThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Caitlyn Y. Forster
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Eliza J. T. Middleton
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Thomas E. White
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Paul F. Burke
- UTS Business School and Centre for Business Intelligence and Data AnalyticsUniversity of Technology SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Tanya Latty
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Sydney Institute of AgricultureThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
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10
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Millard J, Outhwaite CL, Ceaușu S, Carvalheiro LG, da Silva e Silva FD, Dicks LV, Ollerton J, Newbold T. Key tropical crops at risk from pollinator loss due to climate change and land use. Sci Adv 2023; 9:eadh0756. [PMID: 37824611 PMCID: PMC10569713 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh0756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Insect pollinator biodiversity is changing rapidly, with potential consequences for the provision of crop pollination. However, the role of land use-climate interactions in pollinator biodiversity changes, as well as consequent economic effects via changes in crop pollination, remains poorly understood. We present a global assessment of the interactive effects of climate change and land use on pollinator abundance and richness and predictions of the risk to crop pollination from the inferred changes. Using a dataset containing 2673 sites and 3080 insect pollinator species, we show that the interactive combination of agriculture and climate change is associated with large reductions in insect pollinators. As a result, it is expected that the tropics will experience the greatest risk to crop production from pollinator losses. Localized risk is highest and predicted to increase most rapidly, in regions of sub-Saharan Africa, northern South America, and Southeast Asia. Via pollinator loss alone, climate change and agricultural land use could be a risk to human well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Millard
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Charlotte L. Outhwaite
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Silvia Ceaușu
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Luísa G. Carvalheiro
- Department of Ecology, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO 74690-900, Brazil
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Change (CE3C), University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Felipe Deodato da Silva e Silva
- Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Mato Grosso (IFMT)—Campus Barra do Garças, Barra do Garças, MT 78600-000, Brazil
| | - Lynn V. Dicks
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK
| | - Jeff Ollerton
- Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology, University of Northampton, University Drive, Northampton, NN1 5PH UK
| | - Tim Newbold
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
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11
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Kestel JH, Bateman PW, Field DL, White NE, Lines R, Nevill P. eDNA metabarcoding of avocado flowers: 'Hass' it got potential to survey arthropods in food production systems? Mol Ecol Resour 2023; 23:1540-1555. [PMID: 37237427 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
In the face of global biodiversity declines, surveys of beneficial and antagonistic arthropod diversity as well as the ecological services that they provide are increasingly important in both natural and agro-ecosystems. Conventional survey methods used to monitor these communities often require extensive taxonomic expertise and are time-intensive, potentially limiting their application in industries such as agriculture, where arthropods often play a critical role in productivity (e.g. pollinators, pests and predators). Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding of a novel substrate, crop flowers, may offer an accurate and high throughput alternative to aid in the detection of these managed and unmanaged taxa. Here, we compared the arthropod communities detected with eDNA metabarcoding of flowers, from an agricultural species (Persea americana-'Hass' avocado), with two conventional survey techniques: digital video recording (DVR) devices and pan traps. In total, 80 eDNA flower samples, 96 h of DVRs and 48 pan trap samples were collected. Across the three methods, 49 arthropod families were identified, of which 12 were unique to the eDNA dataset. Environmental DNA metabarcoding from flowers revealed potential arthropod pollinators, as well as plant pests and parasites. Alpha diversity levels did not differ across the three survey methods although taxonomic composition varied significantly, with only 12% of arthropod families found to be common across all three methods. eDNA metabarcoding of flowers has the potential to revolutionize the way arthropod communities are monitored in natural and agro-ecosystems, potentially detecting the response of pollinators and pests to climate change, diseases, habitat loss and other disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua H Kestel
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution Group (MEEG), School of Science, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Australia
| | - Philip W Bateman
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Behavioural Ecology Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - David L Field
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution Group (MEEG), School of Science, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Australia
| | - Nicole E White
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Rose Lines
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Paul Nevill
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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12
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Shi X, Ma C, Gustave W, Orr MC, Yuan Z, Chen J, Yang G, Niu Z, Zhou Q, Xia C, Luo A, Zhu C. The impact of heavy metal pollution on wild bee communities in smallholder farmlands. Environ Res 2023; 233:116515. [PMID: 37380009 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Wild bees provide important pollination services, but they face numerous stressors that threaten them and their ecosystem services. Wild bees can be exposed to heavy metal pollution through the consumption of nectar, pollen, and water, which might cause bee decline. While some studies have measured heavy metal concentrations in honeybees, few studies have monitored heavy metal concentrations in wild bees or explored their potential effects on wild bee communities. To investigate the impact of heavy metal pollution on wild bee communities, heavy metal concentrations, including vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), Zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb) in multiple wild bee species were measured. Multiple wild bee species, including: Xylocopa tranquabaroroum, Eucera floralia, Apis cerana, and small bee mixtures (representing multiple small wild bee species) were sampled from 18 sites in Quzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. The findings demonstrated that there were significant differences in heavy metal concentrations among different bee species. The concentrations of V, Zn, Cd, and Pb in X. tranquabaroroum, the largest bee species in this study, were lower than that in the other three sample groups. Furthermore, there were significant negative correlations between heavy metal pollution and wild bee diversity and species richness, but not with abundance. Particularly, there was no significant relationship between heavy metal pollution and the abundance of small bees. Given these worrying findings, monitoring multiple heavy metals in wild bees should be conducted for protecting wild bee diversity and securing their pollination services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Shi
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Changsheng Ma
- Longping Branch Graduate School, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410125, China
| | - Williamson Gustave
- School of Chemistry, Environmental & Life Sciences, University of the Bahamas, New Providence, Nassau, P.O. Box N-4912, Bahamas
| | - Michael C Orr
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Zhaofeng Yuan
- Institute of Soil and Water Resources and Environmental Science, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Jingting Chen
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Guang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Zeqing Niu
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Qingsong Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Chen Xia
- Kaihua County Apiculture Association, Quzhou, China
| | - Arong Luo
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Chaodong Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; State Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; College of Life Sciences/International College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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13
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Rittschof CC, Denny AS. The Impacts of Early-Life Experience on Bee Phenotypes and Fitness. Integr Comp Biol 2023; 63:808-824. [PMID: 36881719 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icad009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Across diverse animal species, early-life experiences have lifelong impacts on a variety of traits. The scope of these impacts, their implications, and the mechanisms that drive these effects are central research foci for a variety of disciplines in biology, from ecology and evolution to molecular biology and neuroscience. Here, we review the role of early life in shaping adult phenotypes and fitness in bees, emphasizing the possibility that bees are ideal species to investigate variation in early-life experience and its consequences at both individual and population levels. Bee early life includes the larval and pupal stages, critical time periods during which factors like food availability, maternal care, and temperature set the phenotypic trajectory for an individual's lifetime. We discuss how some common traits impacted by these experiences, including development rate and adult body size, influence fitness at the individual level, with possible ramifications at the population level. Finally, we review ways in which human alterations to the landscape may impact bee populations through early-life effects. This review highlights aspects of bees' natural history and behavioral ecology that warrant further investigation with the goal of understanding how environmental disturbances threaten these vulnerable species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare C Rittschof
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, S-225 Agricultural Science Center North, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
| | - Amanda S Denny
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, S-225 Agricultural Science Center North, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
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14
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Chau KD, Samad-Zada F, Kelemen EP, Rehan SM. Integrative population genetics and metagenomics reveals urbanization increases pathogen loads and decreases connectivity in a wild bee. Glob Chang Biol 2023; 29:4193-4211. [PMID: 37173859 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
As urbanization continues to increase, it is expected that two-thirds of the human population will reside in cities by 2050. Urbanization fragments and degrades natural landscapes, threatening wildlife including economically important species such as bees. In this study, we employ whole genome sequencing to characterize the population genetics, metagenome and microbiome, and environmental stressors of a common wild bee, Ceratina calcarata. Population genomic analyses revealed the presence of low genetic diversity and elevated levels of inbreeding. Through analyses of isolation by distance, resistance, and environment across urban landscapes, we found that green spaces including shrubs and scrub were the most optimal pathways for bee dispersal, and conservation efforts should focus on preserving these land traits to maintain high connectivity across sites for wild bees. Metagenomic analyses revealed landscape sites exhibiting urban heat island effects, such as high temperatures and development but low precipitation and green space, had the highest taxa alpha diversity across all domains even when isolating for potential pathogens. Notably, the integration of population and metagenomic data showed that reduced connectivity in urban areas is not only correlated with lower relatedness among individuals but is also associated with increased pathogen diversity, exposing vulnerable urban bees to more pathogens. Overall, our combined population and metagenomic approach found significant environmental variation in bee microbiomes and nutritional resources even in the absence of genetic differentiation, as well as enabled the potential early detection of stressors to bee health.
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15
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Gazzea E, Batáry P, Marini L. Global meta-analysis shows reduced quality of food crops under inadequate animal pollination. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4463. [PMID: 37491349 PMCID: PMC10368628 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40231-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Animal pollination supports the production of a wide range of food crops fundamental to maintaining diverse and nutritionally balanced diets. Here, we present a global meta-analysis quantifying the contribution of pollination to multiple facets of crop quality, including both organoleptic and nutritional traits. In fruits and vegetables, pollinators strongly improve several commercially important attributes related to appearance and shelf life, whereas they have smaller effects on nutritional value. Pollination does not increase quality in stimulant crops, nuts, and spices. We report weak signals of a pollination deficit for organoleptic traits, which might indicate a potential service decline across agricultural landscapes. However, the deficit is small and non-significant at the α = 0.05 level, suggesting that pollen deposition from wild and/or managed pollinators is sufficient to maximise quality in most cases. As producing commercially suboptimal fruits can have multiple negative economic and environmental consequences, safeguarding pollination services is important to maintain food security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Gazzea
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padua, Legnaro (Padua), Italy.
| | - Péter Batáry
- "Lendület" Landscape and Conservation Ecology, Institute of Ecology and Botany, Centre for Ecological Research, Vácrátót, Hungary
| | - Lorenzo Marini
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padua, Legnaro (Padua), Italy
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16
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Molina-Montenegro MA, Acuña-Rodríguez IS, Ballesteros GI, Baldelomar M, Torres-Díaz C, Broitman BR, Vázquez DP. Electromagnetic fields disrupt the pollination service by honeybees. Sci Adv 2023; 9:eadh1455. [PMID: 37172085 PMCID: PMC10181175 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh1455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
We assessed the effect that electromagnetic field (EMF) exerts on honeybees' pollination efficiency using field and laboratory experiments. First, we measured levels of gene and protein expression in metabolic pathways involved in stress and behavioral responses elicited by EMF. Second, we assessed the effect of EMF on honeybee behavior and seed production by the honeybee-pollinated California poppy and, lastly, by measuring the consequences of pollination failure on plants' community richness and abundance. EMF exposure exerted strong physiological stress on honeybees as shown by the enhanced expression of heat-shock proteins and genes involved in antioxidant activity and affected the expression levels of behavior-related genes. Moreover, California poppy individuals growing near EMF received fewer honeybee visits and produced fewer seeds than plants growing far from EMF. Last, we found a hump-shaped relationship between EMF and plant species richness and plant abundance. Our study provides conclusive evidence of detrimental impacts of EMF on honeybee's pollination behavior, leading to negative effects on plant community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco A. Molina-Montenegro
- Centro de Ecología Integrativa (CEI), Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Talca, Campus Talca, Talca, Chile
| | - Ian S. Acuña-Rodríguez
- Centro de Ecología Integrativa (CEI), Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Talca, Campus Talca, Talca, Chile
- Instituto de Investigación Interdisciplinaria (I), Universidad de Talca, Campus Talca, Talca, Chile
| | - Gabriel I. Ballesteros
- Centro de Ecología Integrativa (CEI), Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Talca, Campus Talca, Talca, Chile
- Instituto de Investigación Interdisciplinaria (I), Universidad de Talca, Campus Talca, Talca, Chile
| | - Mariela Baldelomar
- Centro de Ecología Integrativa (CEI), Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Talca, Campus Talca, Talca, Chile
| | - Cristian Torres-Díaz
- Grupo de Biodiversidad y Cambio Global (BCG), Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Bío-Bío, Chillán, Chile
| | - Bernardo R. Broitman
- Departamento de Ciencias, Facultad de Artes Liberales, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Viña del Mar, Chile
| | - Diego P. Vázquez
- Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas, CONICET, Mendoza, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
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17
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Ryan IC, Dicks LV, Shutt JD. The importance of multi-year studies and commercial yield metrics in measuring pollinator dependence ratios: A case study in UK raspberries Rubus idaeus L. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10044. [PMID: 37168988 PMCID: PMC10164645 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The benefit of pollinators to crop production is normally calculated using "pollinator dependence ratios," which reflect the proportion of yield lost (here reported as a value between 0 and 1) in the absence of pollinators; these ratios are quantified experimentally using pollinator exclusion experiments. Pollinator dependence ratio estimates can vary considerably for a single crop, creating large, frequently overlooked, uncertainty in economic valuations of pollinators. The source of this variation is usually unclear. We experimentally measured the pollinator dependence ratio of two UK commercial cultivars of raspberry Rubus idaeus L., using a range of yield metrics-fruit set, marketable fruit set, fruit weight, and marketable fruit weight-over 3 years (2019-2021), to quantify the effects of yield metric, interannual variation, and cultivar on pollinator dependence ratio estimates. We found a difference in the pollinator dependence ratio for fruit set of 0.71 between 2019 and 2020, showing the importance of carrying out exclusion studies over multiple years. Averaged over multiple years and two cultivars, the dependence ratio was 0.68 measured using marketable fruit set and 0.64 using marketable fruit weight. Imposing a quality threshold (size and shape) below which fruits would not be of commercial value (marketable fruit set/weight) dramatically increased both the pollinator dependence ratio and subsequent economic valuations of pollination service derived from it. Our study shows that, for raspberry, estimates of the pollinator dependence ratio, and therefore, the economic value of insect pollinators, are highly sensitive to the choice of yield metric and can change between years and cultivars. Many economic decisions about pollinator management, at farm, regional and national scales rely on estimates of pollinator dependence. We, therefore, recommend that for estimating pollinator dependence ratios, pollinator exclusion studies are conducted over three or more years and use yield metrics that incorporate quality criteria linked to actual market values and commercial thresholds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imogen C. Ryan
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of East AngliaNorwichUK
| | - Lynn V. Dicks
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of East AngliaNorwichUK
- Department of ZoologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Jack D. Shutt
- Department of ZoologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
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18
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Shah S, Ilyas M, Li R, Yang J, Yang FL. Microplastics and Nanoplastics Effects on Plant-Pollinator Interaction and Pollination Biology. Environ Sci Technol 2023; 57:6415-6424. [PMID: 37068375 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c07733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) contamination is an emerging environmental and public health concern, and these particles have been reported both in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Recent studies have expanded our understanding of the adverse effects of MNPs pollution on human, terrestrial, and aquatic animals, insects, and plants. In this perspective, we describe the adverse effects of MNPs particles on pollinator and plant health and discuss the mechanisms by which MNPs disrupt the pollination process. We discuss the evidence and integrate transcriptome studies to investigate the negative effects of MNPs on the molecular biology of pollination, which may cause delay or inhibit the pollination services. We conclude by addressing challenges to plant-pollinator health from MNPs pollution and argue that such harmful effects disrupt the communication between plant and pollinator for a successful pollination process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakhawat Shah
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070 Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Muhammad Ilyas
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 666316 Menglun, China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100045 Beijing, China
| | - Rui Li
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070 Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 666316 Menglun, China
| | - Feng-Lian Yang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070 Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
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19
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Deb S, Bhandary S, Dutta PS. Evading tipping points in socio-mutualistic networks via structure mediated optimal strategy. J Theor Biol 2023; 567:111494. [PMID: 37075828 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2023.111494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
The threat of large-scale pollinator decline is increasing globally under stress from multiple anthropogenic pressures. Traditional approaches have focused on managing endangered species at an individual level, in which the effect of complex interactions such as mutualism and competition are amiss. Here, we develop a coupled socio-mutualistic network model that captures the change in pollinator dynamics with human conservation opinion in a deteriorating environment. We show that the application of social norm (or conservation) at the pollinator nodes is fit to prevent sudden community collapse in representative networks of varied topology. Whilst primitive strategies have focused on regulating abundance as a mitigation strategy, the role of network structure has been largely overlooked. Here, we develop a novel network structure-mediated conservation strategy to find the optimal set of nodes on which norm implementation successfully prevents community collapse. We find that networks of intermediate nestedness require conservation at a minimum number of nodes to prevent a community collapse. We claim the robustness of the optimal conservation strategy (OCS) after validation on several simulated and empirical networks of varied complexity against a broad range of system parameters. Dynamical analysis of the reduced model shows that incorporating social norms allows the pollinator abundance to grow that would have otherwise crossed a tipping point and undergo extinction. Together, this novel means OCS provides a potential plan of action for conserving plant-pollinator networks bridging the gap between research in mutualistic networks and conservation ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smita Deb
- Department of Mathematics, Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, Rupnagar, Punjab 140 001, India
| | - Subhendu Bhandary
- Department of Mathematics, Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, Rupnagar, Punjab 140 001, India
| | - Partha Sharathi Dutta
- Department of Mathematics, Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, Rupnagar, Punjab 140 001, India.
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20
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Shi XY, Orr M, Luo A, Wang MQ, Guo P, Zhou QS, Niu Z, Qiao H, Zou Y, Zhu CD. Optimizing low-cost sampling of pollinator insects in oilseed rape fields. Front Sustain Food Syst 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2023.1155458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Insects are key pollinators to ecosystem function, but much work remains to determine the most cost-effective, reliable scheme to monitor them. Pan traps (PT) and flight interception traps (FIT) are two of the most popular insect sampling methods used. However, their relative sampling performance and cost is poorly known for agroecosystems in China. We conducted a study across 18 oilseed rape fields in smallholder farmland in Zhejiang, China using these two traps. Our results showed that a single FIT had a greater sampling efficiency (more individuals and higher species richness) than a single PT, but controlling for cost, four PTs (the cost for four PTs is close to one FIT) showed a greater sampling efficiency than FITs. PTs collected more small-bodied individuals while FITs and PTs did not significantly differ in terms of monitoring pollinator insects with large body size. When exploring whether semi-natural habitat embedded in the agricultural landscape affected these results, results from both trap types shows that semi-natural habitat had a significant positive impact on wild pollinator diversity and rarefied species richness. Future studies that examine the effects of agricultural landscape on the wild pollinator community should combine PTs with netting or other active methods for long-term wild pollinator monitoring strategies.
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21
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Masaquiza D, Ferrán MO, Guamán S, Naranjo E, Vaca M, Curbelo LM, Arenal A. Geometric Morphometric Analysis of Wing Shape to Identify Populations of Apis mellifera in Camagüey, Cuba. Insects 2023; 14:306. [PMID: 36975991 PMCID: PMC10055743 DOI: 10.3390/insects14030306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
A total of 45 Apis mellifera colonies were sampled from nine centers for rearing queens in the Camagüey province, Cuba. Wing geometric morphometric analysis was used to determine the ancestry and identify Africanization processes at different altitudes in managed honeybee populations on the island. A total of 350 reference wings were obtained from the pure subspecies: Apis mellifera mellifera, Apis mellifera carnica, Apis mellifera ligustica, Apis mellifera caucasia, Apis mellifera iberiensis, Apis mellifera intermissa, and Apis mellifera scutellata for the study. Our results showed that altitude influences wing shape; and that 96.0% (432) of the individuals were classified as Cuban hybrids, with a tendency to the formation of a new morphotype. In addition, a great similarity was found with the subspecies Apis mellifera mellifera, and it was confirmed that there is no Africanization due to the low presence of 0.44% (2) of this morphotype in the population under study. The greatest Mahalanobis distances were obtained for the comparisons between the center rearing of queens in the Camagüey province with the subspecies A. m. scutellata (D2 = 5.18); A. m. caucasia (D2 = 6.08); A. m. ligustica (D2 = 6.27); and A. m. carnica (D2 = 6.62). The well-defined pattern of wing shape produced by honeybee populations in Camagüey's centers for queen rearing suggests a Cuban hybrid. Moreover, it is essential to note that the populations of bees under investigation lack Africanized morphotypes, indicating that Camagüey bees have not interacted with the African lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Masaquiza
- Sede Orellana, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, El Coca 220150, Ecuador;
| | - Mario Octavio Ferrán
- Centro de Estudios Para el Desarrollo de la Producción Animal, Universidad de Camagüey “Ignacio Agramonte Loynaz”, Camagüey 4650, Cuba;
| | - Santiago Guamán
- Sede Orellana, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, El Coca 220150, Ecuador;
| | - Edwin Naranjo
- Facultad de Ciencias Pecuarias, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Riobamba 060106, Ecuador; (E.N.); (M.V.)
| | - Maritza Vaca
- Facultad de Ciencias Pecuarias, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Riobamba 060106, Ecuador; (E.N.); (M.V.)
| | - Lino Marcelo Curbelo
- Centro de Estudios Para el Desarrollo de la Producción Animal, Universidad de Camagüey “Ignacio Agramonte Loynaz”, Camagüey 4650, Cuba;
| | - Amilcar Arenal
- Centro de Biología Molecular, Universidad de Camagüey “Ignacio Agramonte Loynaz”, Camagüey 74650, Cuba;
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22
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Schüler V, Liu YC, Gisder S, Horchler L, Groth D, Genersch E. Significant, but not biologically relevant: Nosema ceranae infections and winter losses of honey bee colonies. Commun Biol 2023; 6:229. [PMID: 36859713 PMCID: PMC9977864 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04587-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The Western honey bee Apis mellifera, which provides about 90% of commercial pollination, is under threat from diverse abiotic and biotic factors. The ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor vectoring deformed wing virus (DWV) has been identified as the main biotic contributor to honey bee colony losses worldwide, while the role of the microsporidium Nosema ceranae is still controversially discussed. In an attempt to solve this controversy, we statistically analyzed a unique data set on honey bee colony health collected from a cohort of honey bee colonies over 15 years and comprising more than 3000 data sets on mite infestation levels, Nosema spp. infections, and winter losses. Multivariate statistical analysis confirms that V. destructor is the major cause of colony winter losses. Although N. ceranae infections are also statistically significantly correlated with colony losses, determination of the effect size reveals that N. ceranae infections are of no or low biological relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivian Schüler
- Institute for Bee Research, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Bee Diseases, Friedrich-Engels-Str. 32, 16540, Hohen Neuendorf, Germany
| | - Yuk-Chien Liu
- Institute for Bee Research, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Bee Diseases, Friedrich-Engels-Str. 32, 16540, Hohen Neuendorf, Germany
- University of Potsdam, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Sebastian Gisder
- Institute for Bee Research, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Bee Diseases, Friedrich-Engels-Str. 32, 16540, Hohen Neuendorf, Germany
| | - Lennart Horchler
- Institute for Bee Research, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Bee Diseases, Friedrich-Engels-Str. 32, 16540, Hohen Neuendorf, Germany
| | - Detlef Groth
- University of Potsdam, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Elke Genersch
- Institute for Bee Research, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Bee Diseases, Friedrich-Engels-Str. 32, 16540, Hohen Neuendorf, Germany.
- Freie Universität Berlin, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7, 14163, Berlin, Germany.
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23
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Levenson HK, Tarpy DR. Planted pollinator habitat in agroecosystems: How does the pollinator community respond? Front Ecol Evol 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2023.1060834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Pollinators are important both ecologically and economically. Nonetheless, documented pollinator population decline threatens ecosystem functioning and human well-being. In response, conservation methods such as augmented pollinator habitat are becoming popular tools to combat pollinator losses. While previous research has shown added habitat can benefit bee communities, there are still aspects of the habitat implementation that require further research, particularly how this will impact bee communities in real-world settings beyond researcher-led efforts. In our study, we use a 2016 initiative mandating the planting of pollinator habitat on research stations across North Carolina, United States to act as an outdoor laboratory to investigate this exact question. From 2016 to 2018, we found significant increases in bee abundance and diversity. However, these increases depended on the quality of habitat, with areas of higher flower cover and diversity supporting larger, more diverse bee communities. Although the habitats positively supported bee communities, we found that resources within the habitats were lower later in the sampling season, highlighting the need of developing seed mixes that include late season resources. Weedy plants were documented to establish within the habitats, demonstrating the need for regular upkeep and maintenance of pollinator habitat in order to appropriately support bee communities. It is likely that planting pollinator habitat will not be a one-size-fits-all conservation solution, as bee species can respond differently to some habitat characteristics. Future long-term studies on pollinators will be important as natural fluctuations in bee populations may limit findings and many knowledge gaps on native bees still persist.
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24
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Requier F, Pérez-Méndez N, Andersson GKS, Blareau E, Merle I, Garibaldi LA. Bee and non-bee pollinator importance for local food security. Trends Ecol Evol 2023; 38:196-205. [PMID: 36503679 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2022.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Pollinators are critical for food security; however, their contribution to the pollination of locally important crops is still unclear, especially for non-bee pollinators. We reviewed the diversity, conservation status, and role of bee and non-bee pollinators in 83 different crops described either as important for the global food market or of local importance. Bees are the most commonly recorded crop floral visitors. However, non-bee pollinators are frequently recorded visitors to crops of local importance. Non-bee pollinators in tropical ecosystems include nocturnal insects, bats, and birds. Importantly, nocturnal pollinators are neglected in current diurnal-oriented research and are experiencing declines. The integration of non-bee pollinators into scientific studies and conservation agenda is urgently required for more sustainable agriculture and safeguarding food security for both globally and locally important crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrice Requier
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, IRD, UMR Évolution, Génomes, Comportement et Écologie, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
| | | | - Georg K S Andersson
- Centre for Environmental and Climate Research, Lund University, 232 62, Sweden
| | - Elsa Blareau
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, IRD, UMR Évolution, Génomes, Comportement et Écologie, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Isabelle Merle
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, IRD, UMR Évolution, Génomes, Comportement et Écologie, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Lucas A Garibaldi
- Universidad Nacional de Río Negro. Instituto de Investigaciones en Recursos Naturales, Agroecología y Desarrollo Rural, San Carlos de Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Recursos Naturales, Agroecología y Desarrollo Rural, San Carlos de Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina
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25
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Ebeling J, Reinecke A, Sibum N, Fünfhaus A, Aumeier P, Otten C, Genersch E. A Comparison of Different Matrices for the Laboratory Diagnosis of the Epizootic American Foulbrood of Honey Bees. Vet Sci 2023; 10:vetsci10020103. [PMID: 36851407 PMCID: PMC9962136 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10020103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
American Foulbrood (AFB) of honey bees caused by the spore-forming bacterium Paenibacillus larvae is a notifiable epizootic in most countries. Authorities often consider a rigorous eradication policy the only sustainable control measure. However, early diagnosis of infected but not yet diseased colonies opens up the possibility of ridding these colonies of P. larvae spores by the shook swarm method, thus preventing colony destruction by AFB or official control orders. Therefore, surveillance of bee colonies for P. larvae infection followed by appropriate sanitary measures is a very important intervention to control AFB. For the detection of P. larvae spores in infected colonies, samples of brood comb honey, adult bees, or hive debris are commonly used. We here present our results from a comparative study on the suitability of these matrices in reliably and correctly detecting P. larvae spores contained in these matrices. Based on the sensitivity and limit of detection of P. larvae spores in samples from hive debris, adult bees, and brood comb honey, we conclude that the latter two are equally well-suited for AFB surveillance programs. Hive debris samples should only be used when it is not possible to collect honey or adult bee samples from brood combs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Ebeling
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Bee Diseases, Institute for Bee Research, 16540 Hohen Neuendorf, Germany
| | - Antonia Reinecke
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Bee Diseases, Institute for Bee Research, 16540 Hohen Neuendorf, Germany
| | - Niklas Sibum
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Bee Diseases, Institute for Bee Research, 16540 Hohen Neuendorf, Germany
| | - Anne Fünfhaus
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Bee Diseases, Institute for Bee Research, 16540 Hohen Neuendorf, Germany
| | - Pia Aumeier
- Department for Biology and Biotechnology, Behavioural Biology and Biology Education, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Christoph Otten
- Fachzentrum Bienen und Imkerei, Dienstleistungszentrum Ländlicher Raum Westerwald-Osteifel, 56727 Mayen, Germany
| | - Elke Genersch
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Bee Diseases, Institute for Bee Research, 16540 Hohen Neuendorf, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-3303-293833
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26
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Li H, Wyckhuys KAG, Wu K. Hoverflies provide pollination and biological pest control in greenhouse-grown horticultural crops. Front Plant Sci 2023; 14:1118388. [PMID: 37123852 PMCID: PMC10130659 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1118388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Beneficial insects provide pollination and biological control in natural and man-made settings. Those ecosystem services (ES) are especially important for high-value fruits and vegetables, including those grown under greenhouse conditions. The hoverfly Eupeodes corollae (Diptera: Syrphidae) delivers both ES, given that its larvae prey upon aphid pests and its adults pollinate crops. In this study, we investigated this dual role of E. corollae in three insect-pollinated and aphid-affected horticultural crops i.e., tomato, melon and strawberry within greenhouses in Hebei province (China). Augmentative releases of E. corollae increased fruit set and fruit weight of all three crops, and affected population dynamics of the cotton aphid Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae). On melon and strawberry, E. corollae suppressed A. gossypii populations by 54-99% and 50-70% respectively. In tomato, weekly releases of 240 E. corollae individuals/100 m2led to 95% fruit set. Meanwhile, releases of 160 hoverfly individuals per 100 m2led to 100% fruit set in melon. Also, at hoverfly/aphid release rates of 1:500 in spring and 1:150 in autumn, aphid populations were reduced by more than 95% on melon. Lastly, on strawberry, optimum levels of pollination and aphid biological control were attained at E. corollae release rates of 640 individuals/100 m2. Overall, our work shows how augmentative releases of laboratory-reared hoverflies E. corollae can enhance yields of multiple horticultural crops while securing effective, non-chemical control of resident aphid pests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Li
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kris A. G. Wyckhuys
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Kongming Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Kongming Wu,
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Saunier A, Grof-Tisza P, Blande JD. Effect of ozone exposure on the foraging behaviour of Bombus terrestris. Environ Pollut 2023; 316:120573. [PMID: 36334775 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Tropospheric ozone (O3) mixing ratios have increased substantially since preindustrial times and high O3 peaks are increasingly common. Plant-pollinator interactions are central to natural ecosystem functioning and food production systems but could be negatively affected by unfavourable environmental conditions such as elevated O3. Ecosystem functioning is threatened by O3, which can degrade floral volatile organic compounds (VOCs) used by pollinators as olfactory cues during foraging. It can also exert oxidative stress on VOC-emitting plants and receiving organisms, potentially disturbing the sending and receiving of VOC signals. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of elevated ozone on the foraging behaviour of Bombus terrestris on three species of the Brassicaceae, with a particular focus on bumblebee choices and the mechanisms underpinning differences observed. Moreover, the study was designed to fill a gap between observations in small-scale laboratory experiments and large-scale modelling through empirical observations in polytunnels that represent a medium-large-scale artificial environment. Using 10 × 3 × 2 m polytunnels the effects of O3 on pollinator foraging parameters on Sinapis alba, Sinapis arvensis and Raphanus raphanistrum were assessed. Significant effects of elevated O3 (100 ± 10 ppb) on the time taken for the first bee to alight on a flower and the cumulative amount of time spent on flowers was observed. To further investigate the underlying mechanisms, a laboratory test was conducted to determine the effects of ozone on the VOC blend composition of S. alba flowers. Synthetic VOC blends representing O3-altered and unaltered profiles were reconstituted and utilized in polytunnel and olfactometry experiments. The results indicated that a reduction of olfaction-mediated orientation, probably via VOC-degradation or direct effects of O3 on bees, was responsible for the altered foraging parameters of B. terrestris, suggesting that the presence of elevated O3 could have negative effects on the foraging efficiency of important pollinator species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amélie Saunier
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P. O. Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Patrick Grof-Tisza
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P. O. Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland; Institute of Biology, Laboratory of Evolutionary Entomology, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - James D Blande
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P. O. Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland
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Ye Y, Fan X, Cai Z, Wu Y, Zhang W, Zhao H, Guo S, Feng P, Li Q, Zou P, Chen M, Fan N, Chen D, Guo R. Unveiling the circRNA-Mediated Immune Responses of Western Honey Bee Larvae to Ascosphaera apis Invasion. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24. [PMID: 36614055 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Western honey bee (Apis mellifera), a eusocial insect with a superior economic and ecological value, is widely used in the beekeeping industry throughout the world. As a new class of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs) participate in the modulation of considerable biological processes, such as the immune response via diverse manners. Here, the identification, characteristic investigation, and molecular verification of circRNAs in the Apis mellifera ligustica larval guts were conducted, and the expression pattern of larval circRNAs during the Ascosphaera apis infection was analyzed, followed by the exploration of the potential regulatory part of differentially expressed circRNAs (DEcircRNAs) in host immune responses. A total of 2083 circRNAs in the larval guts of A. m. ligustcia were identified, with a length distribution ranging from 106 nt to 92,798 nt. Among these, exonic circRNAs were the most abundant type and LG1 was the most distributed chromosome. Additionally, 25, 14, and 30 up-regulated circRNAs as well as 26, 25, and 62 down-regulated ones were identified in the A. apis-inoculated 4-, 5-, and 6-day-old larval guts in comparison with the corresponding un-inoculated larval guts. These DEcircRNAs were predicted to target 35, 70, and 129 source genes, which were relative to 12, 23, and 20 GO terms as well as 11, 10, and 27 KEGG pathways, including 5 cellular and humoral immune pathways containing apoptosis, autophagy, endocytosis, MAPK, Toll, and Imd signaling pathways. Furthermore, complex competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory networks were detected to be formed among DEcircRNAs, DEmiRNAs, and DEmRNAs. The Target DEmRNAs were engaged in 24, 20, and 25 functional terms as well as 62, 80, and 159 pathways, including several vital immune defense-associated pathways, namely the lysosome, endocytosis, phagosome, autophagy, apoptosis, MAPK, Jak-STAT, Toll, and Imd signaling pathways. Finally, back-splicing sites within 15 circRNAs and the difference in the 9 DEcircRNAs' expression between un-inoculated and A. apis-inoculated larval guts were confirmed utilizing molecular methods. These findings not only enrich our understanding of bee host-fungal pathogen interactions, but also lay a foundation for illuminating the mechanism underlying the DEcircRNA-mediated immune defense of A. m. ligustica larvae against A. apis invasion.
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Meyer-Rochow VB. Can Molecularly Engineered Plant Galls Help to Ease the Problem of World Food Shortage (and Our Dependence on Pollinating Insects)? Foods 2022; 11:foods11244014. [PMID: 36553755 PMCID: PMC9777877 DOI: 10.3390/foods11244014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The world faces numerous problems and two of them are global food shortages and the dwindling number of pollinating insects. Plant products that do not arise from pollination are plant galls, which as in the case of oak apples, can resemble fruits and be the size of a cherry. It is suggested that once research has understood how chemical signals from gall-inducing insects program a plant to produce a gall, it should be possible to mimic and to improve nature and "bioengineer" designer galls of different sizes, colorations and specific contents to serve as food or a source of medicinally useful compounds. To achieve this objective, the genes involved in the formation of the galls need to be identified by RNA-sequencing and confirmed by gene expression analyses and gene slicing. Ultimately the relevant genes need to be transferred to naïve plants, possibly with the aid of plasmids or viruses as practiced in crop productivity increases. There is then even the prospect of engineered plant galls to be produced by plant tissue culture via genetic manipulation without the involvement of insects altogether.
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30
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Ratnayake MN, Amarathunga DC, Zaman A, Dyer AG, Dorin A. Spatial Monitoring and Insect Behavioural Analysis Using Computer Vision for Precision Pollination. Int J Comput Vis 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11263-022-01715-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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31
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Rondeau S, Willis Chan DS, Pindar A. Identifying wild bee visitors of major crops in North America with notes on potential threats from agricultural practices. Front Sustain Food Syst 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2022.943237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Considering the critical importance of insect pollination to food security and documented declines in wild bee populations, it is imperative to develop effective conservation and management strategies that promote the health of wild bee communities associated with agroecosystems. Identifying wild bee visitors of crops, including crop-flower visitors and species that nest within cropping areas, may prove critical to this endeavor as optimal conservation strategies may differ among bee species and/or guilds, regions, and cropping systems. Although lists of bee species that are associated with North American crops are scattered throughout the literature, there is a need for a comprehensive compilation of those species by crop, region, and nesting guild. Here, we searched the literature to compile a list of wild bee species associated with 33 major crops in North America and assessed the overlap in bee species communities among crops and regions. Of the 739 crop-associated bee species retrieved, 405 species (54.8%) were ground nesters, and 438 species (59.3%) were identified as crop-flower visitors of at least one crop. Because of their nesting and foraging behavior, we argue that these species are more likely to be exposed to agricultural pesticide residues than bee species that do not nest in the ground or feed directly on crop flowers. We further compiled lists of wild bees that have been found to be associated with all of the four most surveyed perennial fruit crops (apple, blueberry, cranberry, strawberry) and all of the three most surveyed cucurbit crops (cucumber, Cucurbita, watermelon) in eastern North America. These lists of bee species can be used to focus attention on species needing better protection strategies within agroecosystems, especially for these two important North American crop groups and can also inform the development of multi-species pesticide risk assessment schemes.
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Rabello AS, Rubinger MMM, da Silva LF, de Oliveira AH, Serrão JE, Albuini-Oliveira NM, Tavares EDC, Vidigal AEC, de Oliveira MRL, Zambolim L, Souza RAC, Guilardi S, Ellena J. Zinc-dithiocarbimates for the control of Hemileia vastatrix: a versatile alternative. Pest Manag Sci 2022; 78:4741-4752. [PMID: 35871604 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this work was to investigate the potential use of zinc-dithiocarbimate salts to control Hemileia vastatrix, the causal agent of the coffee leaf rust disease, and to evaluate their toxicity towards Apis mellifera, one of the most important coffee plant pollinators. RESULTS Zinc-dithiocarbimate salts were prepared and fully characterized by infrared, proton (1 H) and carbon-13 (13 C) nuclear magnetic resonance and elemental analyses of carbon (C), hydrogen (H), nitrogen (N) and zinc (Zn). X-ray diffraction technique studies confirmed the proposed structures. The salts inhibited the germination of H. vastatrix spores in vitro, with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50 ) from 12 to 18 μmol.L-1 and a 90% inhibitory concentration (IC90 ) from 23 to 26 μmol.L-1 . Zinc-dithiocarbimate salts with the best in vitro results were selected for in vivo experiments with Coffea arabica var Caturra and with the pollinator A. mellifera. The results were similar to those of Mancozeb, a broad-spectrum contact fungicide, with a good control of the disease and low toxicity to the honeybee. CONCLUSION The zinc-dithiocarbimate complex salts have potential to control coffee leaf rust, with low toxicity to the pollinator insect. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - José Eduardo Serrão
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Laércio Zambolim
- Departamento de Fitopatologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil
| | | | - Silvana Guilardi
- Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Javier Ellena
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, Brazil
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da Costa Domingues CE, Sarmento AMP, Capela NXJ, Costa JM, Mina RMR, da Silva AA, Reis AR, Valente C, Malaspina O, Azevedo-Pereira HMVS, Sousa JP. Monitoring the effects of field exposure of acetamiprid to honey bee colonies in Eucalyptus monoculture plantations. Sci Total Environ 2022; 844:157030. [PMID: 35777572 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Eucalyptus plantations occupy 26 % of Portuguese forested areas. Its flowers constitute important sources for bees and beekeepers take advantage of this and keep their honey bee colonies within or near the plantations for honey production. Nonetheless, these plantations are susceptible to pests, such as the eucalyptus weevil Gonipterus platensis. To control this weevil, some plantations must be treated with pesticides, which might harm non-target organisms. This study aimed to perform a multifactorial assessment of the health status and development of Apis mellifera iberiensis colonies in two similar landscape windows dominated by Eucalyptus globulus plantations - one used as control and the other with insecticide treatment. In each of the two selected areas, an apiary with five hives was installed and monitored before and after a single application of the insecticide acetamiprid (40 g a.i./ha). Colony health and development, resources use, and pesticide residues accumulation were measured. The results showed that the application of acetamiprid in this area did not alter the health status and development of the colonies. This can be explained by the low levels of residues of acetamiprid detected only in pollen and bee bread samples, ~52 fold lower than the sublethal effect threshold. This could be attributed to the low offer of resources during and after the application event and within the application area, with the consequent foraging outside the sprayed area during that period. Since exposure to pesticides in such complex landscapes seems to be dependent on the spatial and temporal distribution of resources, we highlight some key monitoring parameters and tools that are able to provide reliable information on colony development and use of resources. These tools can be easily applied and can provide a better decision-taking of pesticide application in intensive production systems to decrease the risk of exposure for honey bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caio Eduardo da Costa Domingues
- University of Maribor, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Pivola 10, 2311 Hoče, Slovenia; Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais (CEIS), Departamento de Biologia, Instituto de Biociências (IB), Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) - "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Rio Claro, Brazil; Centre for Functional Ecology, Associated Laboratory TERRA, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Artur Miguel Paiva Sarmento
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Associated Laboratory TERRA, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Nuno Xavier Jesus Capela
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Associated Laboratory TERRA, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - José Miguel Costa
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Associated Laboratory TERRA, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rúben Miguel Rodrigues Mina
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Associated Laboratory TERRA, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - António Alves da Silva
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Associated Laboratory TERRA, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Raquel Reis
- Altri Florestal, SA, Quinta do Furadouro, 2510-582 Olho Marinho, Portugal
| | - Carlos Valente
- RAIZ - Instituto de Investigação da Floresta e Papel, Quinta de São Francisco, Apartado 15, 3801-501 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Osmar Malaspina
- Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais (CEIS), Departamento de Biologia, Instituto de Biociências (IB), Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) - "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Rio Claro, Brazil
| | - Henrique M V S Azevedo-Pereira
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Associated Laboratory TERRA, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal; ForestWISE - Collaborative Laboratory for Integrated Forest & Fire Management, Quinta de Prados, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - José Paulo Sousa
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Associated Laboratory TERRA, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
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Perez-Cobo I, Fernández-Alba AR, Hernando MD. First national survey of residues of active substances in honeybee apiaries across Spain between 2012 and 2016. Sci Total Environ 2022; 838:155614. [PMID: 35504369 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This nationwide monitoring aimed to investigate the prevalence of residues of plant protection products (PPPs) and veterinary medicine products (VMPs) based on random selection of apiaries of Apis mellifera. For a three-year period (2012, 2013 and 2016), this study targeted 306 PPPs, VMPs and other active substances in 442 samples of bee bread honeycomb (BBHC) and 89 samples of honeybees collected from up to 177 apiaries. The results indicate that honeybees were most often exposed to residues of coumaphos, tau-fluvalinate, chlorfenvinphos, and acrinathrin, with a prevalence from a maximum of 98.8% to 49.4% in BBHC samples. Residues of coumaphos, tau-fluvalinate, amitraz (DMF + DMPF), carbendazim and orthophenylphenol were also frequently detected, from a maximum of 55.1% to 13.5% of the honeybee samples. Neonicotinoid residues, namely clothianidin and thiamethoxam, whose outdoor uses in crops are completely banned in EU, were not detected. Imidacloprid was found in 3.4% to 13.3% of samples during 2013 and 2016, respectively. Imidacloprid exceeded its acute toxicity (LD50) value for honey bees in two samples of BBHC. Fipronil was detected in 0.5% of the samples during 2013. The diversity of active substances found (% of different residues analyzed) ranged from 33.9% to 37.2% in BBHC from 2012, 2013 to 2016, and was of 26.5% in honeybees in 2016. In at least 54% of the samples, the total residue load was in the range of 200 to 1500 μg·kg-1. Up to 50% of BBHC samples were positive for one or two residues. No toxic residues for honeybees were detected in up to 88.8% of bee samples. This systematic surveillance of active substances assisted the evaluation of which target pesticides to look for and provided support to the competent authorities in the bee health decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iratxe Perez-Cobo
- Central Veterinary-Animal Health Laboratory (LCV), 28110 Madrid, Spain
| | - Amadeo R Fernández-Alba
- Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), Department of Chemistry and Physics, University of Almeria, European Union Reference Laboratory for Pesticide Residues in Fruit & Vegetables, 04120 Almería, Spain
| | - M Dolores Hernando
- National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology, CSIC, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
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Bishop J, Garratt MPD, Nakagawa S. Animal pollination increases stability of crop yield across spatial scales. Ecol Lett 2022; 25:2034-2047. [PMID: 35843226 PMCID: PMC9544623 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The benefits of animal pollination to crop yield are well known. In contrast, the effects of animal pollination on the spatial or temporal stability (the opposite of variability) of crop yield remain poorly understood. We use meta-analysis to combine variability information from 215 experimental comparisons between animal-pollinated and wind- or self-pollinated control plants in apple, oilseed rape and faba bean. Animal pollination increased yield stability (by an average of 32% per unit of yield) at between-flower, -plant, -plot and -field scales. Evidence suggests this occurs because yield benefits of animal pollination become progressively constrained closer to the maximum potential yield in a given context, causing clustering. The increase in yield stability with animal pollination is greatest when yield benefits of animal pollination are greatest, indicating that managing crop pollination to increase yield also increases yield stability. These additional pollination benefits have not yet been included in economic assessments but provide further justification for policies to protect pollinators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Bishop
- Department of Crop Science, School of Agriculture, Policy and DevelopmentUniversity of ReadingBerkshireUK
| | - Michael P. D. Garratt
- Centre for Agri‐Environmental Research, School of Agriculture, Policy and DevelopmentUniversity of ReadingBerkshireUK
| | - Shinichi Nakagawa
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological and Environmental SciencesUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
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Martínez-López V, Ruiz C, Muñoz I, Ornosa C, Higes M, Martín-Hernández R, De la Rúa P. Detection of Microsporidia in Pollinator Communities of a Mediterranean Biodiversity Hotspot for Wild Bees. Microb Ecol 2022; 84:638-642. [PMID: 34585291 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-021-01854-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Insect pollination is crucial for the maintenance of natural and managed ecosystems but the functioning of this ecosystem service is threatened by a worldwide decline of pollinators. Key factors in this situation include the spread and interspecific transmission of pathogens worldwide through the movement of managed pollinators. Research on this field has been mainly conducted in some particular species, while studies assessing the interspecific transmission of pathogens at a community level are scarce. However, this information is pivotal to design strategies to protect pollinators. Herein, we analysed the prevalence of two common microsporidia pathogens of managed honey bees (Nosema ceranae and N. apis) in bee communities of semiarid Mediterranean areas from the Southeast of the Iberian Peninsula. Our results confirm the ability of N. ceranae to disperse across wild bee communities in semiarid Mediterranean ecosystems since it was detected in 36 Apoidea species (39% of the sampling; for the first time in nine genera). The prevalence of the pathogen did not show any phylogenetic signal which suggests a superfamily host range of the pathogen or that wild bees may be acting only as vectors of N. ceranae. In addition, N. apis was detected in an Eucera species, which is the second time it has been detected by molecular techniques in a host other than the honey bee. Our study represents the primary assessment of the prevalence of microsporidia at community level in Mediterranean areas and provides outstanding results on the ability of Nosema pathogens to spread across the landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicente Martínez-López
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, UK.
- Department of Zoology and Physical Anthropology, University of Murcia, Murcia, 30100, Spain.
| | - Carlos Ruiz
- Department of Animal Biology and Edaphology and Geology, University of La Laguna, San Cristobal de la Laguna, 38200, Spain
| | - Irene Muñoz
- Department of Zoology and Physical Anthropology, University of Murcia, Murcia, 30100, Spain
| | - Concepción Ornosa
- Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Complutense University, Madrid, 28040, Spain
| | - Mariano Higes
- Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Honey Bee Pathology Laboratory, Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal (IRIAF), Marchamalo, 19180, Guadalajara, Spain
| | - Raquel Martín-Hernández
- Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Honey Bee Pathology Laboratory, Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal (IRIAF), Marchamalo, 19180, Guadalajara, Spain
- Instituto de Recursos Humanos para la Ciencia y la Tecnología (INCRECYT, ESF), Fundación Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Albacete, Albacete, 02006, Spain
| | - Pilar De la Rúa
- Department of Zoology and Physical Anthropology, University of Murcia, Murcia, 30100, Spain
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Martelli F, Falcon T, Pinheiro DG, Simões ZLP, Nunes FMF. Worker bees (Apis mellifera) deprived of pollen in the first week of adulthood exhibit signs of premature aging. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2022; 146:103774. [PMID: 35470035 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2022.103774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Pollinator populations, including bees, are in rapid decline in many parts of the world, raising concerns over the future of ecosystems and food production. Among the factors involved in these declines, poor nutrition deserves attention. The diet consumed by adult worker honeybees (Apis mellifera) is crucial for their behavioral maturation, i.e., the progressive division of labor they perform, such as nurse bees initially and later in life as foragers. Poor pollen nutrition is known to reduce the workers' lifespan, but the underlying physiological and genetic mechanisms are not fully understood. Here we investigate how the lack of pollen in the diet of workers during their first week of adult life can affect age-related phenotypes. During the first seven days of adult life, newly emerged workers were fed either a pollen-deprived (PD) diet mimicking that of an older bee, or a control pollen-rich (PR) diet, as typically consumed by young bees. The PD-fed bees showed alterations in their fat body transcriptome, such as a switch from a protein-lipid based metabolism to a carbohydrate-based metabolism, and a reduced expression of genes involved with immune response. The absence of pollen in the diet also led to an accumulation of oxidative stress markers in fat body tissue and alterations in the cuticular hydrocarbon profiles, which became similar to those of chronologically older bees. Together, our data indicate that the absence of pollen during first week of adulthood triggers the premature onset of an aging-related worker phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Martelli
- Departamento de Genética, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, 14049-900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Tiago Falcon
- Departamento de Genética, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, 14049-900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Daniel G Pinheiro
- Departamento de Genética, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, 14049-900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Zilá L P Simões
- Departamento de Genética, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, 14049-900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, 14049-900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Francis M F Nunes
- Departamento de Genética, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, 14049-900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luís - km 235, 13565-905, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
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Haug C, Posada Zuluaga V, Zippel A, Braig F, Müller P, Gröhn C, Weiterschan T, Wunderlich J, Haug GT, Haug JT. The Morphological Diversity of Antlion Larvae and Their Closest Relatives over 100 Million Years. Insects 2022; 13:587. [PMID: 35886763 PMCID: PMC9316203 DOI: 10.3390/insects13070587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary The larvae of owlflies and antlions (here shortly embraced by the term “owllions”) are ambush predators. Their mouthparts are transformed into teeth-bearing stylets and used for catching prey and sucking, which is characteristic for neuropteran larvae. Here we used the morphology of the stylets and the head capsules of a large number of extant and fossil larvae as a proxy for the morphological diversity over time. The created dataset comprises outlines of stylets and head capsules of specimens from the literature, collections, databases and the herein described and depicted 38 fossil ones. Fossils in the whole dataset come from deposits with an age of about 20, 40, and 100 million years (Miocene, Eocene, and Cretaceous, respectively). In addition to the shape analysis of the outlines from the dataset, we conducted a statistical analysis as well. Eocene and Miocene samples did not result in a clear output, but Cretaceous samples allowed for some conclusions: The morphological diversity of owllion larvae increased over time, even though some morphologies of Cretaceous larvae went extinct. Abstract Among lacewings (Neuroptera), representatives of the groups Ascalaphidae (owlflies) and Myrmeleontidae (antlions) are likely the most widely known ones. The exact taxonomic status of the two groups remains currently unclear, each may in fact be nested in the other group. Herein, we refer to the group including representatives of both with the neutral term “owllion”. Owllion larvae are voracious ambush hunters. They are not only known in the extant fauna, but also from the fossil record. We report here new findings of a fossil owlfly larva from Eocene Baltic amber, as well as several owlfly-like larvae from Cretaceous Kachin amber, Myanmar. Based on these fossils, combined with numerous fossil and extant specimens from the literature, collections, and databases, we compared the morphological diversity of the head and mouthpart shapes of the larvae of owllions in the extant fauna with that of owllion-like larvae from three time slices: about 100 million years ago (Cretaceous), about 40 million years ago (Eocene), and about 20 million years ago (Miocene). The comparison reveals that the samples from the Eocene and Miocene are too small for a reliable evaluation. Yet, the Cretaceous larvae allow for some conclusions: (1) the larval morphological diversity of owllion larvae increased over time, indicating a post-Cretaceous diversification; (2) certain morphologies disappeared after the Cretaceous, most likely representing ecological roles that are no longer present nowadays. In comparison, other closely related lineages, e.g., silky lacewings or split-footed lacewings, underwent more drastic losses after the Cretaceous and no subsequent diversifications.
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Broussard MA, Howlett BG, Evans LJ, McBrydie H, Cutting BT, Read SF, Pattemore DE. Pollinator identity and behavior affect pollination in kiwifruit ( Actinidia chinensis Planch.). PeerJ 2022; 10:e12963. [PMID: 35702253 PMCID: PMC9188772 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Many crop plants rely on insect pollination, particularly insect-pollinated crops which are functionally dioecious. These crops require insects to move pollen between separate plants which are functionally male or female. While honey bees are typically considered the most important crop pollinator species, many other insects are known to visit crops but the pollination contribution of the full diversity of these flower visitors is poorly understood. In this study, we examine the role of diverse insect pollinators for two kiwifruit cultivars as model systems for dioecious crops: Actinidia chinensis var. deliciosa 'Hayward' (a green-fleshed variety) and A. chinensis var. chinensis 'Zesy002' (a gold-fleshed variety). In our round-the-clock insect surveys, we identified that psychodid flies and mosquitoes were the second and third most frequent floral visitors after honey bees (Apis mellifera L), but further work is required to investigate their pollination efficiency. Measures of single-visit pollen deposition identified that several insects, including the bees Leioproctus spp. and Bombus spp. and the flies Helophilus hochstetteri and Eristalis tenax, deposited a similar amount of pollen on flowers as honey bees (Apis mellifera). Due to their long foraging period and high pollen deposition, we recommend the development of strategies to boost populations of Bombus spp., Eristalis tenax and other hover flies, and unmanaged bees for use as synergistic pollinators alongside honey bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa A. Broussard
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Ltd, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Brad G. Howlett
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Ltd, Lincoln, New Zealand
| | - Lisa J. Evans
- Plant and Food Research Australia Ltd, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Heather McBrydie
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Ltd, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | | | - Samantha F.J. Read
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Ltd, Lincoln, New Zealand
| | - David E. Pattemore
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Ltd, Hamilton, New Zealand,University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Peters B, Keller A, Leonhardt SD. Diets maintained in a changing world: Does land‐use intensification alter wild bee communities by selecting for flexible generalists? Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8919. [PMID: 35600696 PMCID: PMC9108308 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Birte Peters
- Department for Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology University of Würzburg Biocenter Würzburg Germany
- Department of Bioinformatics University of Würzburg Biocenter Würzburg Germany
- Center for Computational and Theoretical Biology University of Würzburg Würzburg Germany
| | - Alexander Keller
- Cellular and Organismic Networks Faculty of Biology Ludwig‐Maximilians‐Universität Munich Planegg‐Martinsried Germany
| | - Sara Diana Leonhardt
- Department for Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology University of Würzburg Biocenter Würzburg Germany
- Department of Life Science Systems Technical University of Munich Freising Germany
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Boff S, Conrad T, Raizer J, Wehrhahn M, Bayer M, Friedel A, Theodorou P, Schmitt T, Lupi D. Low toxicity crop fungicide (fenbuconazole) impacts reproductive male quality signals leading to a reduction of mating success in a wild solitary bee. J Appl Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.14169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Boff
- University of Würzburg, Biocentre Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology Würzburg Germany
- University of Milan Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences Milan Italy
| | - Taina Conrad
- University of Bayreuth Department of Evolutionary Animal Ecology Bayreuth Germany
| | - Josué Raizer
- Federal University of Grande Dourados Faculty of Biology and Environmental Sciences Dourados Brazil
| | - Marten Wehrhahn
- University of Würzburg, Biocentre Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology Würzburg Germany
| | - Melis Bayer
- Ludwig Maximillians University Department of Neurobiology Munich Germany
| | - Anna Friedel
- Martin Luther University Halle‐Wittenberg Institute of Biology, General Zoology Halle (Saale) Germany
| | - Panagiotis Theodorou
- Martin Luther University Halle‐Wittenberg Institute of Biology, General Zoology Halle (Saale) Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle‐Jena‐Leipzig Leipzig Germany
| | - Thomas Schmitt
- University of Würzburg, Biocentre Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology Würzburg Germany
| | - Daniela Lupi
- University of Milan Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences Milan Italy
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Sáez A, Aguilar R, Ashworth L, Gleiser G, Morales CL, Traveset A, Aizen MA. Managed honeybees decrease pollination limitation in self-compatible but not in self-incompatible crops. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20220086. [PMID: 35382601 PMCID: PMC8984806 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.0086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Modern agriculture is becoming increasingly pollinator-dependent. However, the global stock of domesticated honeybees is growing at a slower rate than its demand, while wild bees are declining worldwide. This uneven scenario of high pollinator demand and low pollinator availability can translate into increasing pollination limitation, reducing the yield of pollinator-dependent crops. However, overall assessments of crop pollination limitation and the factors determining its magnitude are missing. Based on 52 published studies including 30 crops, we conducted a meta-analysis comparing crop yield in pollen-supplemented versus open-pollinated flowers. We assessed the overall magnitude of pollination limitation and whether this magnitude was influenced by (i) the presence/absence of managed honeybees, (ii) crop compatibility system (i.e. self-compatible/self-incompatible) and (iii) the interaction between these two factors. Overall, pollen supplementation increased yield by approximately 34%, indicating sizable pollination limitation. Deployment of managed honeybees and self-compatibility were associated with lower pollination limitation. Particularly, active honeybee management decreased pollination limitation among self-compatible but apparently not among self-incompatible crops. These findings indicate that current pollination regimes are, in general, inadequate to maximize crop yield, even when including managed honeybees, and stress the need of transforming the pollination management paradigm of agricultural landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agustín Sáez
- Grupo de Ecología de la Polinización (ECOPOL), Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medio Ambiente (INIBIOMA), CONICET-Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Quintral 1250, Bariloche 8400, Rio Negro, Argentina
| | - Ramiro Aguilar
- Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba - CONICET, Córdoba, Argentina.,Laboratorio Nacional de Análisis y Síntesis Ecológica (LANASE), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 58190 Morelia, México
| | - Lorena Ashworth
- Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba - CONICET, Córdoba, Argentina.,Laboratorio Nacional de Análisis y Síntesis Ecológica (LANASE), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 58190 Morelia, México
| | - Gabriela Gleiser
- Grupo de Ecología de la Polinización (ECOPOL), Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medio Ambiente (INIBIOMA), CONICET-Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Quintral 1250, Bariloche 8400, Rio Negro, Argentina
| | - Carolina L Morales
- Grupo de Ecología de la Polinización (ECOPOL), Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medio Ambiente (INIBIOMA), CONICET-Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Quintral 1250, Bariloche 8400, Rio Negro, Argentina
| | - Anna Traveset
- Global Change Research Group, Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies, 07190 Esporles, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
| | - Marcelo A Aizen
- Grupo de Ecología de la Polinización (ECOPOL), Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medio Ambiente (INIBIOMA), CONICET-Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Quintral 1250, Bariloche 8400, Rio Negro, Argentina.,Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin, Berlin 14193, Germany
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Merle I, Hipólito J, Requier F. Towards integrated pest and pollinator management in tropical crops. Curr Opin Insect Sci 2022; 50:100866. [PMID: 34971783 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2021.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Biotic pollination and pest control are two critical insect-mediated ecosystem services that support crop production. Although management of both services is usually treated separately, the new paradigm of Integrated Pest and Pollinator Management (IPPM) suggests synergetic benefits by considering them together. We reviewed the management practices in two major tropical perennial crops: cocoa and coffee, to assess IPPM applications under the tropics. We found potential synergies and antagonisms among crop pest and pollination management, however, very few studies considered these interactions. Interestingly, we also found management practices focusing mainly on a single service mediated by insects although species can show multiple ecological functions as pests, natural enemies, or pollinators. The tropics represent a promising area for the implementation of IPPM and future research should address this concept to move towards a more sustainable agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Merle
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, IRD, UMR Évolution, Génomes, Comportement et Écologie, Gif-sur-Yvette, 91198, France
| | - Juliana Hipólito
- Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Fabrice Requier
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, IRD, UMR Évolution, Génomes, Comportement et Écologie, Gif-sur-Yvette, 91198, France.
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44
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Murphy JT, Breeze TD, Willcox B, Kavanagh S, Stout JC. Globalisation and pollinators: Pollinator declines are an economic threat to global food systems. People and Nature 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- James T. Murphy
- Discipline of Botany, School of Natural Sciences Trinity College Dublin Dublin 2 Ireland
- Environmental Protection Agency, An Ghníomhaireacht um Chaomhnú Comhshaoil Johnstown Castle Ireland
| | - Tom D. Breeze
- Centre for Agri‐Environmental Research, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development University of Reading Reading UK
| | - Bryony Willcox
- Centre for Agri‐Environmental Research, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development University of Reading Reading UK
| | - Saorla Kavanagh
- Discipline of Botany, School of Natural Sciences Trinity College Dublin Dublin 2 Ireland
| | - Jane C. Stout
- Discipline of Botany, School of Natural Sciences Trinity College Dublin Dublin 2 Ireland
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45
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Sentil A, Wood TJ, Lhomme P, Hamroud L, El Abdouni I, Ihsane O, Bencharki Y, Rasmont P, Christmann S, Michez D. Impact of the “Farming With Alternative Pollinators” Approach on Crop Pollinator Pollen Diet. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.824474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Pollinators are facing declines at a global level. One of the main factors driving this decline is insufficient access to floral resources due to habitat loss and degradation that can affect both diet generalist species as well as those with more restricted floral preferences. Here we evaluated the effect of a novel mitigation strategy in agricultural ecosystems, Farming with Alternative Pollinators (FAP) on the pollen diet of crop pollinators. The approach dedicates 25% of the cropped area to Marketable Habitat Enhancement Plants (MHEP) that attract pollinators, natural enemies of the crops, and provide farmers with income. We assessed the effect of the approach on pollen diet of faba bean (Vicia faba) and pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) flower visitors in four different regions in Morocco during 2018 and 2019 by comparing control fields (monoculture) and FAP fields in 13 trials and 101 sites. Results from 25 wild bee species show that almost two-thirds of the species carrying or collecting pollen when visiting pumpkin flowers and half of the species carrying or collecting pollen when visiting faba bean flowers gathered this pollen from two or more host plants (i.e., MHEP, main crop, and/or wild plants) and displayed a wide dietary breadth. Pollen grains from the main crops were poorly represented on the female scopae, indicating that crops were mainly visited for nectar. Hence, crop flower visitors may require alternative pollen sources to meet their nutritional needs. The number of pollen genera collected by flower visitors and the dietary breadth of crop flower visitors did not show a significant increase in response to FAP management. Among the selected MHEP, sunflower (Helianthus annuus) was the pollen resource for pumpkin flower visitors. In faba bean, flower visitors collected pollen from coriander (Coriandrum sativum) and canola (Brassica napus). Our study sheds light on the importance of characterizing the pollen diet and the foraging behavior of crop pollinators to identify appropriate plant species that complement their food, maintain and conserve their populations.
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46
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Bugin G, Lenzi L, Ranzani G, Barisan L, Porrini C, Zanella A, Bolzonella C. Agriculture and Pollinating Insects, No Longer a Choice but a Need: EU Agriculture’s Dependence on Pollinators in the 2007–2019 Period. Sustainability 2022; 14:3644. [DOI: 10.3390/su14063644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
One of the new objectives laid out by the European Union’s Common Agriculture Policy is increasing environmental sustainability. In this paper we compare the degree of average dependence index for each member state (ADIMS) in EU28 from 2007 to 2019 in order to verify the following: (1) whether there was a difference in this index when comparing two CAP periods—(a) from 2007 to 2013 and (b) from 2014 to 2019—and (2) which crops had a larger effect on the ADIMS. The study showed no significant variation in the average ADIMS at EU level between the first (2007–2013) and second (2014–2019) CAP periods. The AIDMS index highlighted three types of EU agriculture: (1) agriculture in Eastern Europe, including Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, characterized by a high level of ADIMS (10.7–22) due to the widespread cultivation of oil crops as rapeseed and sunflower; (2) Mediterranean agriculture including Portugal, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Greece, Malta, Cyprus and France with lower AIDMS levels (5.3–10.3) given their heterogeneous crop portfolios with different degrees of dependence on animal pollination (almond, soy, rapeseed, sunflower and tomatoes) and (3) continental agriculture including Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Poland, the Czech Republic, Baltic countries, Benelux, Finland, Sweden and Ireland, which are characterized by the lowest ADIMS level (0.7–10.6) due to the widespread cultivation of cereals (anemophily and self-pollination) which increase the denominator of the index. The study suggests that a sustainable management of the agroecosystem will be possible in the future only if CAP considers pollinators’ requirements by quantifying the timing and spatial food availability from cultivated and uncultivated areas.
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47
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Xu J, Xiao P. A Bibliometric Analysis on the Effects of Land Use Change on Ecosystem Services: Current Status, Progress, and Future Directions. Sustainability 2022; 14:3079. [DOI: 10.3390/su14053079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Land use changes cause significant alterations in the land surface structure and significantly impact ecosystem services. Research on land use change (LUC) and ecosystem services has become one of the hotspots of interdisciplinary research in ecology and geography. Based on 1860 publications collected from the Web of Science Core CollectionTM (WoS), the top authors, top organizations, top journals, and subject categories were discussed in detail. For the number of published articles, Sustainability ranks first with 86 publications, providing significant contributions in domain. The keywords could be classified into six categories: land use/land cover change, conservation, biodiversity, policies and programmers, environmental change, and agriculture. Citations and reference co-citations were analyzed, and popular literature and co-cited literature in the field were identified. In the discussion, we focus on four important issues, including land use area changes, land use pattern changes, land use spatial pattern changes, and land use changes at different scales. The research framework in the field and the shortcomings of existing research are discussed as well. The main aim of the paper is to assist researchers in identifying potential gaps in the research that should be addressed in future research.
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48
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Martelli F, Hernandes NH, Zuo Z, Wang J, Wong CO, Karagas NE, Roessner U, Rupasinghe T, Robin C, Venkatachalam K, Perry T, Batterham P, Bellen HJ. Low doses of the organic insecticide spinosad trigger lysosomal defects, elevated ROS, lipid dysregulation, and neurodegeneration in flies. eLife 2022; 11:73812. [PMID: 35191376 PMCID: PMC8863376 DOI: 10.7554/elife.73812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Large-scale insecticide application is a primary weapon in the control of insect pests in agriculture. However, a growing body of evidence indicates that it is contributing to the global decline in population sizes of many beneficial insect species. Spinosad emerged as an organic alternative to synthetic insecticides and is considered less harmful to beneficial insects, yet its mode of action remains unclear. Using Drosophila, we show that low doses of spinosad antagonize its neuronal target, the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit alpha 6 (nAChRα6), reducing the cholinergic response. We show that the nAChRα6 receptors are transported to lysosomes that become enlarged and increase in number upon low doses of spinosad treatment. Lysosomal dysfunction is associated with mitochondrial stress and elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the central nervous system where nAChRα6 is broadly expressed. ROS disturb lipid storage in metabolic tissues in an nAChRα6-dependent manner. Spinosad toxicity is ameliorated with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine amide. Chronic exposure of adult virgin females to low doses of spinosad leads to mitochondrial defects, severe neurodegeneration, and blindness. These deleterious effects of low-dose exposures warrant rigorous investigation of its impacts on beneficial insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Martelli
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Zhongyuan Zuo
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Julia Wang
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Ching-On Wong
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center, Houston, United States
| | - Nicholas E Karagas
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center, Houston, United States
| | - Ute Roessner
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Thusita Rupasinghe
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Charles Robin
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Kartik Venkatachalam
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center, Houston, United States
| | - Trent Perry
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Philip Batterham
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Hugo J Bellen
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children Hospital, Houston, United States.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
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49
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Dylewski Ł, Tobolka M, Maćkowiak Ł, Białas JT, Banaszak-Cibicka W. Unused railway lines for conservation of pollinators in the intensively managed agricultural landscape. J Environ Manage 2022; 304:114186. [PMID: 34864406 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.114186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Pollinating insects are under high human pressure due to agricultural intensification and urbanization. Although many research and conservation projects have been applied worldwide, there is still a need for a comprehensive approach that meets local conditioning and capabilities. This paper investigated the composition, abundance, richness, alpha, beta, and gamma-diversity of pollinators between unused railway embankments and semi-natural grasslands. On 50 study sites (25 sites in unused railways and 25 their reference on grasslands), we collected data on the abundance, species richness and species diversity of bees, butterflies, and hoverflies. We conducted five samplings yearly (April-September) for two years, 2017-2018. To assess differences in abundance, species richness, alpha and beta diversity of pollinators between unused railways and controls, we used generalized linear mixed models (GLMM). To compare the composition of pollinator species, we applied non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS). Abundance, species richness, and Shannon-Wiener diversity index of all three groups of pollinators were significantly higher in unused railway lines than in control grasslands. Pollinator communities were more constant in unused railway lines than in grasslands. The NMDS analysis highlighted the importance of these structures for bee, butterfly and hoverfly communities, which were a subset of grassland species, but were more abundant. We indicated the highest total taxonomic beta-diversity for bees, butterflies, and hoverflies and species turnover for bees and butterflies in control grassland compared with unused railway lines. The taxonomical nestedness was significantly higher in unused railways lines for bees and butterflies than in control grasslands. In the case of hoverflies, we did not found any significant differences in species turnover and nestedness. Unused railway lines may act as a conservation tool for pollinator communities in intensively managed farmland and complement the declining semi-natural habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz Dylewski
- Department of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60-625, Poznań, Poland.
| | - Marcin Tobolka
- Department of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60-625, Poznań, Poland; Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Savoyenstraβe 1, 1160, Wien, Austria
| | | | - Joanna T Białas
- Department of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60-625, Poznań, Poland
| | - Weronika Banaszak-Cibicka
- Department of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60-625, Poznań, Poland
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50
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Trueman SJ, Kämper W, Nichols J, Ogbourne SM, Hawkes D, Peters T, Hosseini Bai S, Wallace HM. Pollen limitation and xenia effects in a cultivated mass-flowering tree, Macadamia integrifolia (Proteaceae). Ann Bot 2022; 129:135-146. [PMID: 34473241 PMCID: PMC8796667 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcab112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Pollen limitation is most prevalent among bee-pollinated plants, self-incompatible plants and tropical plants. However, we have very little understanding of the extent to which pollen limitation affects fruit set in mass-flowering trees despite tree crops accounting for at least 600 million tons of the 9200 million tons of annual global food production. METHODS We determined the extent of pollen limitation in a bee-pollinated, partially self-incompatible, subtropical tree by hand cross-pollinating the majority of flowers on mass-flowering macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia) trees that produce about 200 000-400 000 flowers. We measured tree yield and kernel quality and estimated final fruit set. We genotyped individual kernels by MassARRAY to determine levels of outcrossing in orchards and assess paternity effects on nut quality. KEY RESULTS Macadamia trees were pollen-limited. Supplementary cross-pollination increased nut-in-shell yield, kernel yield and fruit set by as much as 97, 109 and 92 %, respectively. The extent of pollen limitation depended upon the proximity of experimental trees to trees of another cultivar because macadamia trees were highly outcrossing. Between 84 and 100 % of fruit arose from cross-pollination, even at 200 m (25 rows) from orchard blocks of another cultivar. Large variations in nut-in-shell mass, kernel mass, kernel recovery and kernel oil concentration were related to differences in fruit paternity, including between self-pollinated and cross-pollinated fruit, thus demonstrating pollen-parent effects on fruit quality (i.e. xenia). CONCLUSIONS This study is the first to demonstrate pollen limitation in a mass-flowering tree. Improved pollination led to increased kernel yield of 0.31-0.59 tons ha-1, which equates currently to higher farm-gate income of approximately $US3720-$US7080 ha-1. The heavy reliance of macadamia flowers on cross-pollination and the strong xenia effects on kernel mass demonstrate the high value that pollination services can provide to food production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J Trueman
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, School of Environment and
Science, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111,
Australia
| | - Wiebke Kämper
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, School of Environment and
Science, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111,
Australia
- Department of Animal Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity, Ruhr-University
Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Joel Nichols
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, School of Environment and
Science, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111,
Australia
| | - Steven M Ogbourne
- GeneCology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast,
Maroochydore DC, QLD 4558, Australia
- School of Science, Technology & Engineering, University of the Sunshine
Coast, Maroochydore DC, QLD 4558, Australia
| | - David Hawkes
- Australian Genome Research Facility, Gehrmann Laboratories, University of
Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Trent Peters
- Australian Genome Research Facility, Gehrmann Laboratories, University of
Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Shahla Hosseini Bai
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, School of Environment and
Science, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111,
Australia
| | - Helen M Wallace
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, School of Environment and
Science, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111,
Australia
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