Adaptive constraints of Japanese native bees in the face of global climate change

2023 Fiscal Year Research-status Report

• Project/Area Number: 23KF0272
• Research Institution: Tokyo Metropolitan University
• Principal Investigator: クロニン アダム 東京都立大学, 理学研究科, 准教授 (30620489)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): HEARN LUCAS 東京都立大学, 理学研究科, 外国人特別研究員
• Project Period (FY): 2023-11-15 – 2026-03-31
• Keywords: bee / thermal tolerance / climate change

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

For the 2023/2024 fiscal year, the primary goal was to finalize the experimental setup and establish field sites. This involved purchasing the required equipment and carefully designing and preparing the protocol, materials, and conditions required for the project. We contacted Japanese researchers to build collaborative networks across Japan to help with the collection of bees and establish fieldwork sites for the upcoming year. We conducted preliminary fieldwork in Tokashiki, Okinawa to collect bee specimens which were necessary for initially testing and validating the experimental approach.

Current Status of Research Progress

2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.

Reason

The project is currently on schedule. The funding allocated for the 2023/2024 fiscal year was used to purchase experimental equipment and establish field sites and collaborations with Japanese researchers for future bee collections. All goal set out for the 2023/2024 fiscal year were achieved.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

The next phase of this research project aims to experimentally test the thermal tolerance of native Japanese bee species. To do this, we will complete extensive fieldwork across multiple regions - Okinawa, Kyushu, Iriomote Island, Tottori, Morioka, and Sapporo - to obtain Ceratina and Lasioglossum bee specimens based on the now established field sites. Critical thermal maximum and minimum experimental assays will be performed to assess the bees' thermal tolerance. The data collected from these experiments will be processed and analyzed. Findings will be synthesized into a manuscript for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. We plan to present this research at one domestic conference.

Causes of Carryover

Precise spending of the exact budget is difficult to we have 153 yen remaining. This will be used for some minor purpose (for example, buying a pen) in 2024.