Bringing back a healthy buzz? Invertebrate parasites and reintroductions: A case study in bumblebees

M.J.F. Brown; A.W. Sainsbury; R.J. Vaughan-Higgins; G.H. Measures; C.M. Jones; N. Gammans

doi:10.1007/s10393-015-1093-5

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Bringing back a healthy buzz? Invertebrate parasites and reintroductions: A case study in bumblebees

M.J.F. Brown, A.W. Sainsbury, R.J. Vaughan-Higgins, G.H. Measures, C.M. Jones and N. Gammans

EcoHealth, Vol.14(S1), pp.74-83

01/03/2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10393-015-1093-5

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Abstract

Reintroductions can play a key role in the conservation of endangered species. Parasites may impact reintroductions, both positively and negatively, but few case studies of how to manage parasites during reintroductions exist. Bumblebees are in decline at regional and global scales, and reintroductions can be used to re-establish extinct local populations. Here we report on how the risks associated with parasites are being managed in an ongoing reintroduction of the short-haired bumblebee, Bombus subterraneus, to the UK. Disease risk analysis was conducted and disease risk management plans constructed to design a capture-quarantine-release system that minimised the impacts on both the bumblebees and on their natural parasites. Given that bumblebee parasites are (i) generalists, (ii) geographically ubiquitous, and (iii) show evidence of local adaptation, the disease risk management plan was designed to limit the co-introduction of parasites from the source population in Sweden to the destination site in the UK. Results suggest that this process at best eliminated, or at least severely curtailed the co-introduction of parasites, and ongoing updates of the plan enabled minimization of impacts on natural host-parasite dynamics in the Swedish source population. This study suggests that methods designed for reintroductions of vertebrate species can be successfully applied to invertebrates. Future reintroductions of invertebrates where the parasite fauna is less well known should take advantage of next-generation barcoding and multiple survey years prior to the start of reintroductions, to develop comprehensive disease risk management plans.

Details

Title: Bringing back a healthy buzz? Invertebrate parasites and reintroductions: A case study in bumblebees
Authors/Creators: M.J.F. Brown (Author/Creator) - Royal Holloway University of London
A.W. Sainsbury (Author/Creator) - Zoological Society of London
R.J. Vaughan-Higgins (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
G.H. Measures (Author/Creator) - Natural England
C.M. Jones (Author/Creator) - University of Leeds
N. Gammans (Author/Creator) - Bumblebee Conservation Trust
Publication Details: EcoHealth, Vol.14(S1), pp.74-83
Publisher: Springer Verlag
Identifiers: 991005542858707891
Copyright: © 2016 International Association for Ecology and Health
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Veterinary and Life Sciences
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology; 3.32 Entomology; 3.32.750 Bee Ecology
Web Of Science research areas: Biodiversity Conservation; Ecology; Environmental Sciences
ESI research areas: Environment/Ecology