Pollinator Genomics: Bee Evolution and Conservation in a Changing World

Dear Colleagues,

Bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Anthophila), a diverse clade comprising more than 20,000 described species, are among the most important animal pollinators worldwide. They sustain natural ecosystems and underpin global food security by pollinating a wide range of wild plants and agricultural crops, thereby contributing billions of dollars annually to agricultural production. Both managed species, such as honey bees (Apis spp.), and the far greater diversity of wild bees are currently experiencing substantial population declines and shifts in community composition. These declines are driven by habitat loss, climate change, pesticide exposure, pathogens, and invasive species.

Recent advances in genomics have transformed our understanding of bee biology. High-throughput sequencing technologies now provide deep insights into population genetics, evolutionary changes, and the genetic basis of important traits like disease resistance and adaptability to environmental changes. These insights are essential for creating effective conservation strategies in a world that is changing rapidly.

This Special Issue aims to highlight recent research on bee genomics and conservation efforts. We invite contributions that explore comparative genomics; the geographic distribution, genetic structure and evolution of bee populations; how bees adapt to environmental stressors; conservation genomics; and approaches that connect genomic information with ecological and physical traits. By gathering a variety of advances, we hope to enhance our understanding and develop practical solutions for protecting pollinators.

We encourage researchers to submit original research, reviews, and perspectives that illuminate the past, present, and future of bees amid global change.

Prof. Dr. Cheng Sun
Guest Editor

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