The Effect of Migratory Beekeeping on the Infestation Rate of Parasites in Honey Bee (<i>Apis mellifera</i>) Colonies and on Their Genetic Variability
Migratory beekeeping is a widely extended practice aimed at increasing the yield of products and pollination services of honey bee colonies. However, it represents a stress factor, as it facilitates the dissemination of diseases and may compromise the genetic identity of the colonies involved. To an...
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MDPI AG
2020-12-01
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| Series: | Microorganisms |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/9/1/22 |
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| author | Laura Jara Carlos Ruiz Raquel Martín-Hernández Irene Muñoz Mariano Higes José Serrano Pilar De la Rúa |
| author_facet | Laura Jara Carlos Ruiz Raquel Martín-Hernández Irene Muñoz Mariano Higes José Serrano Pilar De la Rúa |
| author_sort | Laura Jara |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Migratory beekeeping is a widely extended practice aimed at increasing the yield of products and pollination services of honey bee colonies. However, it represents a stress factor, as it facilitates the dissemination of diseases and may compromise the genetic identity of the colonies involved. To analyze the extent of these effects, pathogens infestation rate and genetic composition were monitored in a field experiment comparing stationary and migratory colonies sharing the same environmental conditions but differing in management (stationary vs. migratory) and genetic background. We studied the pathogens infestation rate (<i>Varroa destructor</i>, <i>Nosema</i> spp., and Deformed Wing Virus (DWV)) at four different times: before migratory operation, two weeks later, at the end of the migratory period, and two weeks after the return of the migratory hives. An increased incidence of <i>V. destructor</i> and <i>Nosema ceranae</i> and a lower DWV viral load were found in migratory colonies. Temporary changes in genetic diversity were detected regardless of colony type, suggesting that stressors other than management affect the genetic diversity of the colonies. Our study demonstrates that migratory practices have variable effects on the health and genetic diversity of honey bee colonies, which should be taken into account for the development of sustainable beekeeping. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T13:50:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bdf230d5ebbb4cf58aab858ba0cd2696 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2607 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T13:50:39Z |
| publishDate | 2020-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Microorganisms |
| spelling | doaj.art-bdf230d5ebbb4cf58aab858ba0cd26962023-11-21T02:11:55ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072020-12-01912210.3390/microorganisms9010022The Effect of Migratory Beekeeping on the Infestation Rate of Parasites in Honey Bee (<i>Apis mellifera</i>) Colonies and on Their Genetic VariabilityLaura Jara0Carlos Ruiz1Raquel Martín-Hernández2Irene Muñoz3Mariano Higes4José Serrano5Pilar De la Rúa6Departamento de Zoología y Antropología Física, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, SpainDepartamento de Zoología y Antropología Física, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, SpainIRIAF, Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal, Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, 19180 Marchamalo, SpainDepartamento de Zoología y Antropología Física, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, SpainIRIAF, Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal, Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, 19180 Marchamalo, SpainDepartamento de Zoología y Antropología Física, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, SpainDepartamento de Zoología y Antropología Física, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, SpainMigratory beekeeping is a widely extended practice aimed at increasing the yield of products and pollination services of honey bee colonies. However, it represents a stress factor, as it facilitates the dissemination of diseases and may compromise the genetic identity of the colonies involved. To analyze the extent of these effects, pathogens infestation rate and genetic composition were monitored in a field experiment comparing stationary and migratory colonies sharing the same environmental conditions but differing in management (stationary vs. migratory) and genetic background. We studied the pathogens infestation rate (<i>Varroa destructor</i>, <i>Nosema</i> spp., and Deformed Wing Virus (DWV)) at four different times: before migratory operation, two weeks later, at the end of the migratory period, and two weeks after the return of the migratory hives. An increased incidence of <i>V. destructor</i> and <i>Nosema ceranae</i> and a lower DWV viral load were found in migratory colonies. Temporary changes in genetic diversity were detected regardless of colony type, suggesting that stressors other than management affect the genetic diversity of the colonies. Our study demonstrates that migratory practices have variable effects on the health and genetic diversity of honey bee colonies, which should be taken into account for the development of sustainable beekeeping.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/9/1/22managed coloniesparasitic infestation rate<i>Varroa destructor</i><i>Nosema</i> spp.deformed wing virusgenetic diversity |
| spellingShingle | Laura Jara Carlos Ruiz Raquel Martín-Hernández Irene Muñoz Mariano Higes José Serrano Pilar De la Rúa The Effect of Migratory Beekeeping on the Infestation Rate of Parasites in Honey Bee (<i>Apis mellifera</i>) Colonies and on Their Genetic Variability Microorganisms managed colonies parasitic infestation rate <i>Varroa destructor</i> <i>Nosema</i> spp. deformed wing virus genetic diversity |
| title | The Effect of Migratory Beekeeping on the Infestation Rate of Parasites in Honey Bee (<i>Apis mellifera</i>) Colonies and on Their Genetic Variability |
| title_full | The Effect of Migratory Beekeeping on the Infestation Rate of Parasites in Honey Bee (<i>Apis mellifera</i>) Colonies and on Their Genetic Variability |
| title_fullStr | The Effect of Migratory Beekeeping on the Infestation Rate of Parasites in Honey Bee (<i>Apis mellifera</i>) Colonies and on Their Genetic Variability |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Effect of Migratory Beekeeping on the Infestation Rate of Parasites in Honey Bee (<i>Apis mellifera</i>) Colonies and on Their Genetic Variability |
| title_short | The Effect of Migratory Beekeeping on the Infestation Rate of Parasites in Honey Bee (<i>Apis mellifera</i>) Colonies and on Their Genetic Variability |
| title_sort | effect of migratory beekeeping on the infestation rate of parasites in honey bee i apis mellifera i colonies and on their genetic variability |
| topic | managed colonies parasitic infestation rate <i>Varroa destructor</i> <i>Nosema</i> spp. deformed wing virus genetic diversity |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/9/1/22 |
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