Abstract
Bees are economically and ecologically important pollinating species. Managed and native bee species face increasing pressures from human-created stressors such as habitat loss, pesticide use, and introduced pathogens. There has been increasing attention towards how each of these factors impacts fertility, especially sperm production and maintenance in males. Here, we turn our attention towards another important factor impacting phenotypic variation: genetics. Using honey bees as a model, we explore the current understanding of how genetic variation within and between populations contributes to variation in sperm production, sperm maintenance, and insemination success among males. We conclude with perspectives and future directions in the study of male fertility in honey bees and non-Apis pollinators more broadly, which still remain largely understudied.
Highlights
Bees (Anthophila) are economically and ecologically important insects that, mostly, act as pollinators
Honey bees are largely found in commercial operations where they are managed for honey production and pollination
We focus on honey bee male fertility as a model to understand the genetic factors shaping sperm traits
Summary
Bees (Anthophila) are economically and ecologically important insects that, mostly, act as pollinators. Honey bees are largely found in commercial operations where they are managed for honey production and pollination Other managed species such as the solitary leaf cutter bees (Megachile rotundata) [5] and social bumble bees (Bombus spp.) [6] provide pollination services to orchards and greenhouses [7]. We have a detailed and growing understanding of how variation in male bee fertility is influenced by environmental factors [15,16,17]; we have much less understanding of the genetic and mechanistic bases underpinning how variation in male fertility arises This is a major gap in both our understanding of bee biology and in our ability to effectively manage and conserve declining bee populations. We conclude with perspectives and future directions in the study of male fertility in honey bees and non-Apis pollinators more broadly, which still remain largely understudied
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