More shots of a queen Bombus affinis...the newly minted endangered Bumble Bee. This specimen is from the National Collection at the Smithsonian and was collected in Racine, Wisconsin in 1965 when times were easy for this species. Collected by L.W.
Determining the dietary preferences and population genetics of an endangered bumble bee, Bombus affinis, by maximizing the use of museum specimens Active
Bombus affinis, the rusty patched bumble bee, was federally listed as an endangered species in 2017 and has been identified as one of the top priority species for recovery nationally. Shortly after listing the species, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services and other partners prioritized the research needed to prevent the extinction of B. affinis. Some of the top research needs that were identified included determining the floral resource needs of the species and understand genetic population structure between extant and extinct populations. In 2018, NPWRC partnered with US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Agricultural Research Service to 1) quantify floral preferences of B. affinis throughout its historic range and 2) map areas within the US that support the highest richness of preferred forage plants. We are using novel genetic analyses of pollen collected from preserved museum specimens to accomplish these objectives. As of February 2020, we have performed genetic analyses on pollen from 94 B. affinis museum specimens. Our study will inform recovery efforts by developing a historical foraging profile for the rusty-patched bumble bee throughout its historical 29-state
More shots of a queen Bombus affinis...the newly minted endangered Bumble Bee. This specimen is from the National Collection at the Smithsonian and was collected in Racine, Wisconsin in 1965 when times were easy for this species. Collected by L.W.
More shots of a queen Bombus affinis...the newly minted endangered Bumble Bee. This specimen is from the National Collection at the Smithsonian and was collected in Racine, Wisconsin in 1965 when times were easy for this species. Collected by L.W.
More shots of a queen Bombus affinis...the newly minted endangered Bumble Bee. This specimen is from the National Collection at the Smithsonian and was collected in Racine, Wisconsin in 1965 when times were easy for this species. Collected by L.W.
Photograph of museum specimens of the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, Bombus affinis
Photograph of museum specimens of the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, Bombus affinis
Below are publications associated with this project.
A century of pollen foraging by the endangered rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis): Inferences from molecular sequencing of museum specimens
- Overview
Bombus affinis, the rusty patched bumble bee, was federally listed as an endangered species in 2017 and has been identified as one of the top priority species for recovery nationally. Shortly after listing the species, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services and other partners prioritized the research needed to prevent the extinction of B. affinis. Some of the top research needs that were identified included determining the floral resource needs of the species and understand genetic population structure between extant and extinct populations. In 2018, NPWRC partnered with US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Agricultural Research Service to 1) quantify floral preferences of B. affinis throughout its historic range and 2) map areas within the US that support the highest richness of preferred forage plants. We are using novel genetic analyses of pollen collected from preserved museum specimens to accomplish these objectives. As of February 2020, we have performed genetic analyses on pollen from 94 B. affinis museum specimens. Our study will inform recovery efforts by developing a historical foraging profile for the rusty-patched bumble bee throughout its historical 29-state
- Multimedia
Bombus affinis, queen, racine wi, LW Macior 1965 faceBombus affinis, queen, racine wi, LW Macior 1965 face
More shots of a queen Bombus affinis...the newly minted endangered Bumble Bee. This specimen is from the National Collection at the Smithsonian and was collected in Racine, Wisconsin in 1965 when times were easy for this species. Collected by L.W.
More shots of a queen Bombus affinis...the newly minted endangered Bumble Bee. This specimen is from the National Collection at the Smithsonian and was collected in Racine, Wisconsin in 1965 when times were easy for this species. Collected by L.W.
Bombus affinis, queen, racine wi, LW Macior 1965 backBombus affinis, queen, racine wi, LW Macior 1965 backMore shots of a queen Bombus affinis...the newly minted endangered Bumble Bee. This specimen is from the National Collection at the Smithsonian and was collected in Racine, Wisconsin in 1965 when times were easy for this species. Collected by L.W.
More shots of a queen Bombus affinis...the newly minted endangered Bumble Bee. This specimen is from the National Collection at the Smithsonian and was collected in Racine, Wisconsin in 1965 when times were easy for this species. Collected by L.W.
Museum Specimens of Bombus affinisPhotograph of museum specimens of the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, Bombus affinis
Photograph of museum specimens of the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, Bombus affinis
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
A century of pollen foraging by the endangered rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis): Inferences from molecular sequencing of museum specimens
In 2017 the rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis) became the first bee listed under the Endangered Species Act in the continental United States due to population declines and an 87% reduction in the species’ distribution. Bombus affinis decline began in the 1990s, predating modern bee surveying initiatives, and obfuscating drivers of decline. While understood to be a highly generalist forager,AuthorsMichael P. Simanonok, Clint R.V. Otto, Robert S. Cornman, Deborah D. Iwanowicz, James P. Strange, Tamara A. Smith