@phdthesis{5852042,
  abstract     = {{The decline of pollinator species is an emerging threat that is gaining attention worldwide and is instigating both ecological and economic concerns. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the observed declines in bumblebee populations in which also population genetic aspects will play a role. In order to secure pollination services and improve conservation strategies a better understanding of genetic factors influencing bumblebee populations is vital.
In this dissertation, we first studied the loss of the pollination service of natural populations by focussing on the genetic parameters associated with bumblebee decline. Therefore, we examined microsatellite data of pin-mounted bumblebee specimens sampled from extensive bumblebee collections. The use of historical specimens allowed for unique analyses of comparison between genetic parameters of past and recent populations. Our goals were to examine how genetic diversity and inbreeding are correlated with species extinction. Our results indicate that: (i) inbreeding does not directly result in the collapse of populations, (ii) that there was no major drop in genetic diversity, and (iii) that bumblebee species with a low levels of genetic diversity were the first to decline.
Secondly, we used the microsatellite technology also to identify genes correlated with two phenotypes: the impact of light intensity and body size. We performed a quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis to search for microsatellite marker(s) linked with both phenotypes. We identified several QTLs for these traits in B. terrestris drones. For light sensitivity, we also identified several candidate genes, with the Phosrestin-1-like gene as a primary candidate for its phototransduction function. The identified QTLs and markers, could be used in marker-assisted breeding to improve selection towards light sensitive bumblebees.}},
  author       = {{Maebe, Kevin}},
  isbn         = {{9789059897779}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{XXXII, 201}},
  publisher    = {{Ghent University. Faculty of Bioscience Engineering}},
  school       = {{Ghent University}},
  title        = {{Microsatellites to identify the impact of genetic parameters on bumblebee decline and genes associated with foraging}},
  year         = {{2015}},
}