Biological characteristics, threat factors and conservation strategies for the giant honey bee Apis dorsata

Abstract

Insect pollinators play a vital role in plant sexual reproduction. Pollinators facilitate cross-pollination that in turn promotes genetic diversity, mediates plant speciation, and contributes to ecosystem stability. However, the abundance, diversity and health of wild pollinators are threatened by human activities such as anthropogenic climate impacts, habitat destruction and environmental pollutants, and the impact of these human activities on ecosystems is likely to increase. Despite recognizing the importance of wild pollinators and the implementation of targeted conservation programs, the contemporary threats of wild insect pollinators remain poorly understood. For the giant honey bee (Apis dorsata), an important wild pollinator and honey producer in tropical rainforests and agricultural areas across Asia, here we describe nest characteristics, colony migration and pollination role and review threats to their conservation. We found that A. dorsata nests featured a single honeycomb hanging from the branches of large trees. The bees undertook long distance migrations to locate seasonally ephemeral forage sources but regularly returned to previous nesting sites. We identified several anthropogenic activities that posed significant threats to A. dorsata conservation: harvesting entire colonies, deforestation, pesticide and herbicide utilization, parastioids, mites, pathogens and climate change. Based on our study, we recommend several conservation initiatives to promote wild A. dorsata populations, which include artificial domestication, developing ecological agriculture, establishing of ecological corridors, inspection and quarantine controls on domesticated colonies, and sustainable utilization of the floral resources used by A. dorsata. We hope that this review will stimulate future research on giant honey bees whilst playing a significant role in their conservation and sustainable utilization.

ApismelliferaMitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), A Rewiew Paper

“…Furthermore, the process of urbanization has the potential to exert an impact on the genetic diversity observed within both feral and managed honey bee colonies [13]. Additional factors that contribute to the phenomenon under investigation encompass natural selection, feralization, and the ramifications of anthropogenic activities such as habitat destruction, environmental contamination, and climate alteration [14]. The occurrence of inbreeding within populations can also lead to a depletion of heterozygotes, which serves as an indicator of a reduction in genetic diversity [15].…”