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Microsatellite analysis in museum samples reveals inbreeding before the regression of Bombus veteranus

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Abstract

The worldwide decline of pollinators is an emerging threat and is a matter both for ecological and economic concerns. Population genetics can be used to correlate bumblebee decline with genetic parameters. In order to do so, historical data are needed. We used eight microsatellite loci to genotype pinned museum specimens of the declining bumblebee Bombus veteranus. Bumblebee samples were collected spanning a period of three decades (1895–1923). We detected low genetic diversity and inbreeding in the samples collected during the respective time periods. Inbreeding was also confirmed by the occurrence of sterile diploid males. Based on the data obtained, we speculate that low genetic diversity and inbreeding did not directly result in the collapse of B. veteranus in Belgium. However, inbreeding might still play an indirect role in the decline of bumblebee populations because of the appearance of diploid males and because a low H E might reduce the capacity to react to the drivers of bumblebee decline.

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Acknowledgments

This project was supported by the Special Research Fund of Ghent University, the Fund for Scientific Research-Flanders (FWO-Vlaanderen), and the Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique–Fonds de la Recherche Fondamentale Collective (FNRS-FRFC) (FRFC convention no. 2.4618.12).

Bombus veteranus : l’analyse de microsatellites de cette espèce à partir d’échantillons d’un museum révèle une consanguinité avant leur régression.

Microsatellites / ADN ancien / collections muséographiques / diversité génétique / déclin des bourdons

Mikrosatelliten-Analyse von Museumsproben verrät das Auftreten von Inzucht bereits vor dem Rückgang von Bombus veteranus.

Mikrosatelliten / ancient DNA / Museumssammlungen / geneRückgang von Hummeln / Rückgang von Hummeln

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Agrozoology, Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure links 653, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Kevin Maebe, Ivan Meeus, Jafar Maharramov & Guy Smagghe

  2. Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Department Entomology, Vautierstraat 29, 1000, Brussels, Belgium

    Patrick Grootaert

  3. Laboratoire de Zoology, Université de Mons-Hainaut, Place du Parc 20, 7000, Mons, Belgium

    Denis Michez & Pierre Rasmont

Authors
  1. Kevin Maebe
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  2. Ivan Meeus
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  3. Jafar Maharramov
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  4. Patrick Grootaert
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  5. Denis Michez
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  6. Pierre Rasmont
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  7. Guy Smagghe
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Correspondence to Guy Smagghe.

Additional information

Bombus veteranus : l’analyse de microsatellites de cette espèce à partir d’échantillons d’un museum révèle une consanguinité avant leur régression.

Microsatellites/ADN ancien/collections muséographiques/diversité génétique/déclin des bourdons

Mikrosatelliten-Analyse von Museumsproben verrät das Auftreten von Inzucht bereits vor dem Rückgang von Bombus veteranus.

Mikrosatelliten/ancient DNA/Museumssammlungen/geneRückgang von Hummeln/Rückgang von Hummeln

Manuscript editor: Marina Meixner

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Maebe, K., Meeus, I., Maharramov, J. et al. Microsatellite analysis in museum samples reveals inbreeding before the regression of Bombus veteranus . Apidologie 44, 188–197 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13592-012-0170-9

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