Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/P009980/1
Genetic Signatures, local adaptation and conservation of UK black bees
Training Grant Award
- Lead Supervisor:
- Professor ME Knight, University of Plymouth, Sch of Biological and Marine Sciences
- Grant held at:
- University of Plymouth, Sch of Biological and Marine Sciences
- Science Area:
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Terrestrial
- ENRIs:
- Biodiversity
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Natural Resource Management
- Science Topics:
- Agricultural systems
- Conservation Ecology
- Evolution & populations
- Abstract:
- Many of our insect pollinators, which provide a vital service in terms of food production and the maintenance of native plant biodiversity, are suffering. The recent collapse of global honey bee (Apis mellifera) populations due to the perceived combined effects of ago-pollutants, emergent disease, apiculture practices and land management changes has been particularly high profile. Honey bees exist as many different sub-species globally, the result of evolution to cope with the prevailing conditions that they are exposed to, and they are thus "locally adapted". Due to the demand for the pollination services that honey bees provide and the honey they produce, commercially available varieties have historically been widely introduced into areas where these locally adapted sub-species already exist. Local sub-species are therefore at risk from interbreeding with the commercially imported varieties, leading to the loss of these local adaptations through admixture. Once sub-species diversity is lost it cannot be regained. There has been a lot of recent interest in sub-species local adaptation, since often local strains, while maybe less efficient in term of hive traits like honey yield, have better resistance to disease and are better able to cope with local conditions in many other ways. In the context of recent declines these traits are potentially very important for us to conserve. This project aims to qualify, quantify and conserve the local adaptations of remnant populations of Apis mellifera mellifera (black honey bee) in the UK, with particular focus on the SW England population. To date this population has received very little attention and has been maintained through the dedication and knowledge of local beekeepers. Academics at Plymouth University with research interests in bees and the evolution and maintenance of locally adapted traits will team up with a substantial network of local beekeepers (the B4 Community Interest Company) to systematically record the remaining black bee diversity using a combination of genetic, behavioural, morphological and ecological datasets. The overall aims of the project are to: 1. Characterise UK black bee genetic diversity, including hitherto neglected populations in the SW; 2. Characterise the key locally adapted traits that it carries; 3. Explore novel, viable options for the conservation of this highly valuable genetic diversity. The project relies on the combined expertise and knowledge of academic and non-academic partners. To characterise the genetic signature of the black bee the student will use the latest in high throughput genetic technology available at Plymouth University which allows a high degree of resolution hitherto inaccessible. Alongside this the project will harness the knowledge and expertise of local beekeepers through the B4 project to collect key data on hive characteristics (e.g. parasite resistance, sexual production, hive longevity) and bee morphology. These data will be collated and married with genetic signature data to ascertain reliable identification features of the black bee (vital to local beekeeping practices) and systematically identify adaptations of the local black bee in comparison to imported strains. The final component is the involvement of a US project partner with expertise in the cryopreservation of bee sperm, with the aim of subsequent artificial insemination to maintain and manage breeding colonies of the black bee. The impacts of the project are wide ranging. The policy of importing non-native species to the UK has been contested but without systematic data on the impacts of these policies it will not be changed. The project will inform a managed breeding programme based on reliable identification traits, and the instigation of a cryopreservation effort to ensure that current biodiversity is conserved for future breeding. It will also inform our academic knowledge of the evolution and maintenance of locally adaptation.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/P009980/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- DTG - directed
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Industrial CASE
This training grant award has a total value of £88,292
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Fees | Total - Student Stipend | Total - RTSG |
|---|---|---|
| £17,296 | £59,998 | £11,000 |
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