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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
Evaluation of the distribution and impacts of parasites, pathogens, and pesticides on honey bee (apis mellifera) populations in east Africa
PLoS ONE, Volume 9, No. 4, Article e94459, Year 2014
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Description
In East Africa, honey bees (Apis mellifera) provide critical pollination services and income for small-holder farmers and rural families. While honey bee populations in North America and Europe are in decline, little is known about the status of honey bee populations in Africa. We initiated a nationwide survey encompassing 24 locations across Kenya in 2010 to evaluate the numbers and sizes of honey bee colonies, assess the presence of parasites (Varroa mites and Nosema microsporidia) and viruses, identify and quantify pesticide contaminants in hives, and assay for levels of hygienic behavior. Varroa mites were present throughout Kenya, except in the remote north. Levels of Varroa were positively correlated with elevation, suggesting that environmental factors may play a role in honey bee host-parasite interactions. Levels of Varroa were negatively correlated with levels of hygienic behavior: however, while Varroa infestation dramatically reduces honey bee colony survival in the US and Europe, in Kenya Varroa presence alone does not appear to impact colony size. Nosema apis was found at three sites along the coast and one interior site. Only a small number of pesticides at low concentrations were found. Of the seven common US/European honey bee viruses, only three were identified but, like Varroa, were absent from northern Kenya. The number of viruses present was positively correlated with Varroa levels, but was not correlated with colony size or hygienic behavior. Our results suggest that Varroa, the three viruses, and Nosema have been relatively recently introduced into Kenya, but these factors do not yet appear to be impacting Kenyan bee populations. Thus chemical control for Varroa and Nosema are not necessary for Kenyan bees at this time. This study provides baseline data for future analyses of the possible mechanisms underlying resistance to and the long-term impacts of these factors on African bee populations.©2014 Muli et al.
Available Materials
https://efashare.b-cdn.net/share/pmc/articles/PMC3989218/bin/pone.0094459.s001.docx
https://efashare.b-cdn.net/share/pmc/articles/PMC3989218/bin/pone.0094459.s002.docx
https://efashare.b-cdn.net/share/pmc/articles/PMC3989218/bin/pone.0094459.s003.docx
https://efashare.b-cdn.net/share/pmc/articles/PMC3989218/bin/pone.0094459.s004.docx
https://efashare.b-cdn.net/share/pmc/articles/PMC3989218/bin/pone.0094459.s005.docx
https://efashare.b-cdn.net/share/pmc/articles/PMC3989218/bin/pone.0094459.s006.docx
https://efashare.b-cdn.net/share/pmc/articles/PMC3989218/bin/pone.0094459.s007.docx
Authors & Co-Authors
Muli, Elliud Maundu
Kenya, Nairobi
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
Kenya, Nairobi
South Eastern Kenya University
Patch, Harland M.
United States, University Park
Pennsylvania State University
Frazier, Maryann T.
United States, University Park
Pennsylvania State University
Frazier, James
United States, University Park
Pennsylvania State University
Torto, Baldwyn
Kenya, Nairobi
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
Baumgarten, Tracey
United States, University Park
Pennsylvania State University
Kilonzo, Joseph
Kenya, Nairobi
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
Kimani, James Ng’ang’a Ang A.
Kenya, Nairobi
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
Mumoki, Fiona N.
Kenya, Nairobi
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
Masiga, Daniel K.
Kenya, Nairobi
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
Tumlinson, James H.
United States, University Park
Pennsylvania State University
Grozinger, Christina M.
United States, University Park
Pennsylvania State University
Statistics
Citations: 138
Authors: 12
Affiliations: 3
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1371/journal.pone.0094459
e-ISSN:
19326203
Research Areas
Environmental
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Quantitative
Study Locations
Multi-countries
Kenya