Introduce mated females to small populations to improve genetic diversity

Overall effectiveness category Awaiting assessment
Number of studies: 1
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Key messages

One trial in Brazil showed that genetic diversity can be maintained in small isolated populations of stingless bees Melipona scutellaris by regularly introducing inseminated queens.

About key messages

Key messages provide a descriptive index to studies we have found that test this intervention.

Studies are not directly comparable or of equal value. When making decisions based on this evidence, you should consider factors such as study size, study design, reported metrics and relevance of the study to your situation, rather than simply counting the number of studies that support a particular interpretation.

Supporting evidence from individual studies

Carvalho (2001) established a small isolated population of the Brazilian stingless bee Melipona scutellaris, based on 22 wild-collected colonies. She introduced between three and 13 inseminated queens each year over four consecutive years, and found that the small population retained diversity in its sex allele over nine years. It did not increase its production of sterile diploid males or collapse to extinction, as might have been expected. Carvalho recommends exchange of inseminated queens between beekeepers as a way to ensure the survival of small meliponiaries.
Study and other actions tested
Referenced paper
Carvalho G.A. (2001) The number of sex alleles (CSD) in a bee population and its practical importance (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Journal of Hymenoptera Research, 10, 10-15.

Please cite as:

Dicks, L.V., Showler, D.A. & Sutherland, W.J. (2010) Bee conservation: evidence for the effects of interventions. Pelagic Publishing, Exeter, UK

Where has this evidence come from?

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This Action forms part of the Action Synopsis:

Bee Conservation

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