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A sting in the spit: widespread cross‐infection of multiple RNA viruses across wild and managed bees
Author(s) -
McMahon Dino P.,
Fürst Matthias A.,
Caspar Jesicca,
Theodorou Panagiotis,
Brown Mark J. F.,
Paxton Robert J.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of animal ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.134
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1365-2656
pISSN - 0021-8790
DOI - 10.1111/1365-2656.12345
Subject(s) - pollinator , biology , bumblebee , sympatric speciation , rna virus , ecology , biodiversity , context (archaeology) , honey bee , transmission (telecommunications) , deformed wing virus , nectar , pollination , zoology , rna , pollen , genetics , gene , paleontology , varroa destructor , electrical engineering , engineering
Summary Declining populations of bee pollinators are a cause of concern, with major repercussions for biodiversity loss and food security. RNA viruses associated with honeybees represent a potential threat to other insect pollinators, but the extent of this threat is poorly understood. This study aims to attain a detailed understanding of the current and ongoing risk of emerging infectious disease ( EID ) transmission between managed and wild pollinator species across a wide range of RNA viruses. Within a structured large‐scale national survey across 26 independent sites, we quantify the prevalence and pathogen loads of multiple RNA viruses in co‐occurring managed honeybee ( Apis mellifera ) and wild bumblebee ( Bombus spp.) populations. We then construct models that compare virus prevalence between wild and managed pollinators. Multiple RNA viruses associated with honeybees are widespread in sympatric wild bumblebee populations. Virus prevalence in honeybees is a significant predictor of virus prevalence in bumblebees, but we remain cautious in speculating over the principle direction of pathogen transmission. We demonstrate species‐specific differences in prevalence, indicating significant variation in disease susceptibility or tolerance. Pathogen loads within individual bumblebees may be high and in the case of at least one RNA virus, prevalence is higher in wild bumblebees than in managed honeybee populations. Our findings indicate widespread transmission of RNA viruses between managed and wild bee pollinators, pointing to an interconnected network of potential disease pressures within and among pollinator species. In the context of the biodiversity crisis, our study emphasizes the importance of targeting a wide range of pathogens and defining host associations when considering potential drivers of population decline.