title: Recent introduction of an allodapine bee into Fiji: A new model system for understanding biological invasions by pollinators.
abstract: Morphology-based studies have suggested a very depauperate bee fauna for islands in the South West Pacific, and recent genetic studies since have indicated an even smaller endemic fauna with many bee species in this region resulting from human-aided dispersal. These introduced species have the potential to both disrupt native pollinator suites as well as augment crop pollination, but for most species the timings of introduction are unknown. We examined the distribution and nesting biology of the long-tongued bee Braunsapis puangensis that was first recorded from Fiji in 2007. This bee has now become widespread in Fiji and both its local abundance and geographical range are likely to increase dramatically. The impacts of this invasion are potentially enormous for agriculture and native ecosystems, but they also provide opportunities for understanding how social insect species adapt to new environments. We outline the major issues associated with this recent invasion and argue that a long-term monitoring study is needed.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University of South Australia, GPO Box 2100, SA, 5001, Adelaide, Australia.
authors.forename: Scott V C
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Groom
authors.affiliation: South Pacific Regional Herbarium, University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji.
authors.forename: Marika V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Tuiwawa
authors.affiliation: South Australian Museum, GPO Box 234, SA, 5000.|School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Mark I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University of South Australia, GPO Box 2100, SA, 5001, Adelaide, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Schwarz
mesh_terms: D063147:Animal Distribution; D000818:Animals; D001516:Bees / Q000502:physiology*; D017753:Ecosystem; D005367:Fiji; D005843:Geography; D058865:Introduced Species; D009425:Nesting Behavior; D054817:Pollination; D012919:Social Behavior
keywords: Allodapini; Fiji; exotic species; long distance dispersal; pollinator competition