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Long-distance pollen flow assessment through evaluation of pollinator foraging range suggests transgene escape distances

Author

  • Remy S. Pasquet
  • Alexis Peltier
  • Matthew B. Hufford
  • Emeline Oudin
  • Jonathan Saulnier
  • Lenaic Paul
  • Jette Knudsen
  • Hans R. Herren
  • Paul Gepts

Summary, in English

Foraging range, an important component of bee ecology, is of considerable interest for insect-pollinated plants because it determines the potential for outcrossing among individuals. However, long-distance pollen flow is difficuit to assess, especially when the plant also relies on self-pollination. Pollen movement can be estimated indirectly through population genetic data, but complementary data on pollinator flight distances is necessary to validate such estimates. By using radio-tracking of cowpea pollinator return flights, we found that carpenter bees visiting cowpea flowers can forage up to 6 km from their nest. Foraging distances were found to be shorter than the maximum flight range, especially under adverse weather conditions or poor reward levels. From complete flight records in which bees visited wild and domesticated populations, we conclude that bees can mediate gene flow and, in some instances, allow transgene (genetically engineered material) escape over several kilometers. However, most between-flower flights occur within plant patches, while very few occur between plant patches.

Publishing year

2008

Language

English

Pages

13456-13461

Publication/Series

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Volume

105

Issue

36

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

National Academy of Sciences

Topic

  • Zoology
  • Biological Sciences

Keywords

  • cowpea
  • Xylocopa flavorufa
  • Vigna unguiculata
  • radio-tracking

Status

Published

Research group

  • Pheromone Group

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1091-6490