Reconstructing the ecosystem context of a species: Honey-borne DNA reveals the roles of the honeybee.

ABSTRACT: To assess a species' impact on its environment-and the environment's impact upon a species-we need to pinpoint its links to surrounding taxa. The honeybee (Apis mellifera) provides a promising model system for such an exercise. While pollination is an important ecosystem service, recent studies suggest that honeybees can also provide disservices. Developing a comprehensive understanding of the full suite of services and disservices that honeybees provide is a key priority for such a ubiquitous species. In this perspective paper, we propose that the DNA contents of honey can be used to establish the honeybee's functional niche, as reflected by ecosystem services and disservices. Drawing upon previously published genomic data, we analysed the DNA found within 43 honey samples from Northern E

SUBMITTER: Wirta HK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9278776 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature