How population structure and nest membership shape pathogen patterns in bumble bees

How population structure and nest membership shape pathogen patterns in bumble bees | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL Molecular Ecology This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 3 September 2025 V1 Latest version Share on How population structure and nest membership shape pathogen patterns in bumble bees Authors : Jana Dobelmann 0000-0002-6742-0945 [email protected] and Lena Wilfert 0000-0002-6075-458X Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.175692142.27836854/v1 Published Molecular Ecology Version of record Peer review timeline 201 views 120 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Host density, genetic diversity and social groups are key factors influencing pathogen transmission in wildlife populations, but their interactions remain poorly understood in insects. Islands can provide natural laboratories with distinct populations that vary in density and genetic diversity, whereby dense, genetically homogenous populations are expected to facilitate pathogen transmission. We used bumble bees to test these predictions, assessing the population structure of the two common species Bombus pascuorum and B. terrestris across island and mainland sites in the British Isles and France and testing bees for five micro-parasitic and four viral pathogens. B. pascuorum formed distinct genetic clusters on islands, with varying levels of heterozygosity and only the Isle of Arran clustering with mainland populations. B. terrestris populations were less structured, but populations on the Isle of Man and the Scilly Isles were genetically separated from other island and mainland populations while showing low heterozygosity. Colony density was similar between species and not linked to genetic diversity, but had a positive effect on the prevalence of some pathogens. Contrary to expectations, there was no protective effect of high genetic diversity, suggesting that generalist bumble bee pathogens could be more affected by host species diversity and density. Yet, within B. terrestris populations, we found that nestmates showed more similar pathogen profiles than unrelated individuals, suggesting that genetic similarity and high contact rates within nests affect pathogen prevalence in wild bees. Image (cluster_map.png) is missing or otherwise invalid. Image (Figure2.png) is missing or otherwise invalid. Image (Figure3.png) is missing or otherwise invalid. Image (GLMM.png) is missing or otherwise invalid. Supplementary Material File (sisters_pathogens_manuscript_r1.docx) Download 929.05 KB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 03 September 2025 Peer review timeline Published Molecular Ecology Version of Record 14 Oct 2025 Published Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Collection Molecular Ecology Keywords bumble bee density genetic diversity pathogen population structure Authors Affiliations Jana Dobelmann 0000-0002-6742-0945 [email protected] Ulm University View all articles by this author Lena Wilfert 0000-0002-6075-458X Ulm University View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 201 views 120 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Jana Dobelmann, Lena Wilfert. How population structure and nest membership shape pathogen patterns in bumble bees. Authorea . 03 September 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.175692142.27836854/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . 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