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Chen X, Wang F, Guo H, Liu X, Wu S, Lv L, Tang T. Uncovering hidden dangers: The combined toxicity of abamectin and lambda-cyhalothrin on honey bees. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 933:173126. [PMID: 38734105 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Studying the toxic effects of pesticides on bees has consistently been a prominent area of interest for researchers. Nonetheless, existing research has predominantly concentrated on individual toxicity assessments, leaving a gap in our understanding of mixed toxicity. This study delves into the individual and combined toxic effects of abamectin (ABA) and lambda-cyhalothrin (LCY) on honey bees (Apis mellifera) in laboratory settings. We discovered that ABA (96 h-LC50 value of 0.079 mg/L) exhibited greater acute toxicity to honey bees compared to LCY (96 h-LC50 value of 9.177 mg/L). Moreover, the mixture of ABA and LCY presented an acute antagonistic effect on honey bees. Additionally, our results indicated that exposure to LCY, at medium concentration, led to a reduction in the abundance of gut core bacterium Snodgrassella. However, an increase in the abundance of Bifidobacterium was noted when exposed to a medium concentration of LCY and its mixture with ABA. Transcriptomic analysis revealed significant regulation of certain genes in the medium concentration of all three treatments compared to the control group, primarily enriching in metabolism and immune-related pathways. Following chronic exposure to field-relevant concentrations of ABA, LCY, and their mixture, there were significant alterations in the activities of immunity-related enzyme polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and detoxification enzymes glutathione S-transferase (GST) and carboxylesterase (CarE). Additionally, the expression of four genes (abaecin, cyp9e2, cyp302a1, and GstD1) associated with immune and detoxification metabolism was significantly altered. These findings suggest a potential health risk posed by the insecticides ABA and LCY to honey bees. Despite exhibiting acute antagonistic effect, mixed exposure still induced damage to bees at all levels. This study advances our knowledge of the potential adverse effects of individual or combined exposure to these two pesticides on non-target pollinators and offers crucial guidance for the use of insecticides in agricultural production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaozhen Chen
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315800, China; State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Key Laboratory for Pesticide Residue Detection of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Agro-Product Safety and Nutrition, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Feidi Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Key Laboratory for Pesticide Residue Detection of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Agro-Product Safety and Nutrition, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Haikun Guo
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Key Laboratory for Pesticide Residue Detection of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Agro-Product Safety and Nutrition, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Xinju Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Key Laboratory for Pesticide Residue Detection of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Agro-Product Safety and Nutrition, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Shenggan Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Key Laboratory for Pesticide Residue Detection of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Agro-Product Safety and Nutrition, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Lu Lv
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Key Laboratory for Pesticide Residue Detection of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Agro-Product Safety and Nutrition, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China.
| | - Tao Tang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Key Laboratory for Pesticide Residue Detection of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Agro-Product Safety and Nutrition, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China.
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2
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Łukasik P, Kolasa MR. With a little help from my friends: the roles of microbial symbionts in insect populations and communities. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20230122. [PMID: 38705185 PMCID: PMC11070262 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
To understand insect abundance, distribution and dynamics, we need to understand the relevant drivers of their populations and communities. While microbial symbionts are known to strongly affect many aspects of insect biology, we lack data on their effects on populations or community processes, or on insects' evolutionary responses at different timescales. How these effects change as the anthropogenic effects on ecosystems intensify is an area of intense research. Recent developments in sequencing and bioinformatics permit cost-effective microbial diversity surveys, tracking symbiont transmission, and identification of functions across insect populations and multi-species communities. In this review, we explore how different functional categories of symbionts can influence insect life-history traits, how these effects could affect insect populations and their interactions with other species, and how they may affect processes and patterns at the level of entire communities. We argue that insect-associated microbes should be considered important drivers of insect response and adaptation to environmental challenges and opportunities. We also outline the emerging approaches for surveying and characterizing insect-associated microbiota at population and community scales. This article is part of the theme issue 'Towards a toolkit for global insect biodiversity monitoring'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Łukasik
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Michał R. Kolasa
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
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3
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Guo D, Wang Y, Li Z, Zhang DX, Wang C, Wang H, Liu Z, Liu F, Guo X, Wang N, Xu B, Gao Z. Effects of abamectin nanocapsules on bees through host physiology, immune function, and gut microbiome. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 930:172738. [PMID: 38670362 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Pesticide usage is a common practice to increase crop yields. Nevertheless, the existence of pesticide residues in the surrounding environment presents a significant hazard to pollinators, specifically the potential undisclosed dangers related to emerging nanopesticides. This study examines the impact of abamectin nanocapsules (AbaNCs), created through electrostatic self-assembly, as an insecticide on honey bees. It was determined that AbaNCs upregulated detoxification genes, including CYP450, as well as antioxidant and immune genes in honey bees. Furthermore, AbaNCs affected the activity of crucial enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD). Although no apparent damage was observed in bee gut tissue, AbaNCs significantly decreased digestive enzyme activity. Microbiome sequencing revealed that AbaNCs disrupted gut microbiome, resulting in a reduction of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. Additionally, these changes in the gut microbiome were associated with decreased activity of digestive enzymes, including lipase. This study enhances our understanding of the impact of nanopesticides on pollinating insects. Through the revelation of the consequences arising from the utilization of abamectin nanocapsules, we have identified potential stress factors faced by these pollinators, enabling the implementation of improved protective measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dezheng Guo
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhongyu Li
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, People's Republic of China
| | - Da-Xia Zhang
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongfang Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenguo Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Liu
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, People's Republic of China
| | - Xingqi Guo
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, People's Republic of China
| | - Ningxin Wang
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, People's Republic of China.
| | - Baohua Xu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zheng Gao
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, People's Republic of China.
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4
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Ma C, Gu G, Chen S, Shi X, Li Z, Li-Byarlay H, Bai L. Impact of chronic exposure to field level glyphosate on the food consumption, survival, gene expression, gut microbiota, and metabolomic profiles of honeybees. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 250:118509. [PMID: 38408628 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Glyphosate (GLY) is among the most widely used pesticides in the world. However, there are a lot of unknowns about chronic exposure to GLY's effects on Honeybee (HB) behavior and physiology. To address this, we carried out five experiments to study the impact of chronic exposure to 5 mg/kg GLY on sugar consumption, survival, gene expression, gut microbiota, and metabolites of HB workers. Our results find a significant decrease in sugar consumption and survival probability of HB after chronic exposure to GLY. Further, genes associated with immune response, energy metabolism, and longevity were conspicuously altered. In addition, a total of seven metabolites were found to be differentially expressed in the metabolomic profiles, mainly related the sucrose metabolism. There was no significant difference in the gut microbiota. Results suggest that chronic exposure to field-level GLY altered the health of HB and the intricate toxic mechanisms. Our data provided insights into the chronic effects of GLY on HB behavior in food intake and health, which represents the field conditions where HB are exposed to pesticides over extended periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changsheng Ma
- Longping Branch Graduate School, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410125, China; Key laboratory of Pesticide Assessment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410125, China
| | - Gaoying Gu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming, Yunnan Province 650223, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Sihao Chen
- Department of Earth, Ocean and Ecological Sciences, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3BX, UK; Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, Xi'an-Jiaotong Liverpool University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Xiaoyu Shi
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Zuren Li
- Key laboratory of Pesticide Assessment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410125, China.
| | - Hongmei Li-Byarlay
- Agricultural Research and Development Program, Central State University, Wilberforce, OH 45384, USA.
| | - Lianyang Bai
- Longping Branch Graduate School, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410125, China; Key laboratory of Pesticide Assessment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410125, China.
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5
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Wu J, Liu F, Sun J, Wei Q, Kang W, Wang F, Zhang C, Zhao M, Xu S, Han B. Toxic effects of acaricide fenazaquin on development, hemolymph metabolome, and gut microbiome of honeybee (Apis mellifera) larvae. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 358:142207. [PMID: 38697560 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Fenazaquin, a potent insecticide widely used to control phytophagous mites, has recently emerged as a potential solution for managing Varroa destructor mites in honeybees. However, the comprehensive impact of fenazaquin on honeybee health remains insufficiently understood. Our current study investigated the acute and chronic toxicity of fenazaquin to honeybee larvae, along with its influence on larval hemolymph metabolism and gut microbiota. Results showed that the acute median lethal dose (LD50) of fenazaquin for honeybee larvae was 1.786 μg/larva, and the chronic LD50 was 1.213 μg/larva. Although chronic exposure to low doses of fenazaquin exhibited no significant effect on larval development, increasing doses of fenazaquin resulted in significant increases in larval mortality, developmental time, and deformity rates. At the metabolic level, high doses of fenazaquin inhibited nucleotide, purine, and lipid metabolism pathways in the larval hemolymph, leading to energy metabolism disorders and physiological dysfunction. Furthermore, high doses of fenazaquin reduced gut microbial diversity and abundance, characterized by decreased relative abundance of functional gut bacterium Lactobacillus kunkeei and increased pathogenic bacterium Melissococcus plutonius. The disrupted gut microbiota, combined with the observed gut tissue damage, could potentially impair food digestion and nutrient absorption in the larvae. Our results provide valuable insights into the complex and diverse effects of fenazaquin on honeybee larvae, establishing an important theoretical basis for applying fenazaquin in beekeeping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangli Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Fengying Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Jiajing Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Qiaohong Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Weipeng Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Institute of Horticultural Research, Shanxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taiyuan, 030031, China
| | - Chenhuan Zhang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biometrology and Inspection & Quarantine, College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Meijiao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Shufa Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China.
| | - Bin Han
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China.
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6
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Nguyen PN, Samad-Zada F, Chau KD, Rehan SM. Microbiome and floral associations of a wild bee using biodiversity survey collections. Environ Microbiol 2024; 26:e16657. [PMID: 38817079 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
The health of bees can be assessed through their microbiome, which serves as a biomarker indicating the presence of both beneficial and harmful microorganisms within a bee community. This study presents the characterisation of the bacterial, fungal, and plant composition on the cuticle of adult bicoloured sweat bees (Agapostemon virescens). These bees were collected using various methods such as pan traps, blue vane traps and sweep netting across the northern extent of their habitat range. Non-destructive methods were employed to extract DNA from the whole pinned specimens of these wild bees. Metabarcoding of the 16S rRNA, ITS and rbcL regions was then performed. The study found that the method of collection influenced the detection of certain microbial and plant taxa. Among the collection methods, sweep net samples showed the lowest fungal alpha diversity. However, minor differences in bacterial or fungal beta diversity suggest that no single method is significantly superior to others. Therefore, a combination of techniques can cater to a broader spectrum of microbial detection. The study also revealed regional variations in bacterial, fungal and plant diversity. The core microbiome of A. virescens comprises two bacteria, three fungi and a plant association, all of which are commonly detected in other wild bees. These core microbes remained consistent across different collection methods and locations. Further extensive studies of wild bee microbiomes across various species and landscapes will help uncover crucial relationships between pollinator health and their environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phuong N Nguyen
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Katherine D Chau
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sandra M Rehan
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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7
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Meng Y, Zhang X, Zhai Y, Li Y, Shao Z, Liu S, Zhang C, Xing XH, Zheng H. Identification of the mutual gliding locus as a factor for gut colonization in non-native bee hosts using the ARTP mutagenesis. MICROBIOME 2024; 12:93. [PMID: 38778376 PMCID: PMC11112851 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-024-01813-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The gut microbiota and their hosts profoundly affect each other's physiology and evolution. Identifying host-selected traits is crucial to understanding the processes that govern the evolving interactions between animals and symbiotic microbes. Current experimental approaches mainly focus on the model bacteria, like hypermutating Escherichia coli or the evolutionary changes of wild stains by host transmissions. A method called atmospheric and room temperature plasma (ARTP) may overcome the bottleneck of low spontaneous mutation rates while maintaining mild conditions for the gut bacteria. RESULTS We established an experimental symbiotic system with gnotobiotic bee models to unravel the molecular mechanisms promoting host colonization. By in vivo serial passage, we tracked the genetic changes of ARTP-treated Snodgrassella strains from Bombus terrestris in the non-native honeybee host. We observed that passaged isolates showing genetic changes in the mutual gliding locus have a competitive advantage in the non-native host. Specifically, alleles in the orphan mglB, the GTPase activating protein, promoted colonization potentially by altering the type IV pili-dependent motility of the cells. Finally, competition assays confirmed that the mutations out-competed the ancestral strain in the non-native honeybee gut but not in the native host. CONCLUSIONS Using the ARTP mutagenesis to generate a mutation library of gut symbionts, we explored the potential genetic mechanisms for improved gut colonization in non-native hosts. Our findings demonstrate the implication of the cell mutual-gliding motility in host association and provide an experimental system for future study on host-microbe interactions. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Meng
- Faculty of Food Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, China
- MGI Tech, Qingdao, 266426, China
| | - Xue Zhang
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yifan Zhai
- Institute of Plant Protection, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, 250100, China
| | - Yuan Li
- MGI Tech, Qingdao, 266426, China
| | | | | | - Chong Zhang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Xin-Hui Xing
- Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Hao Zheng
- Faculty of Food Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, China.
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8
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Sattayawat P, Inwongwan S, Noirungsee N, Li J, Guo J, Disayathanoowat T. Engineering Gut Symbionts: A Way to Promote Bee Growth? INSECTS 2024; 15:369. [PMID: 38786925 PMCID: PMC11121833 DOI: 10.3390/insects15050369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Bees play a crucial role as pollinators, contributing significantly to ecosystems. However, the honeybee population faces challenges such as global warming, pesticide use, and pathogenic microorganisms. Promoting bee growth using several approaches is therefore crucial for maintaining their roles. To this end, the bacterial microbiota is well-known for its native role in supporting bee growth in several respects. Maximizing the capabilities of these microorganisms holds the theoretical potential to promote the growth of bees. Recent advancements have made it feasible to achieve this enhancement through the application of genetic engineering. In this review, we present the roles of gut symbionts in promoting bee growth and collectively summarize the engineering approaches that would be needed for future applications. Particularly, as the engineering of bee gut symbionts has not been advanced, the dominant gut symbiotic bacteria Snodgrassella alvi and Gilliamella apicola are the main focus of the paper, along with other dominant species. Moreover, we propose engineering strategies that will allow for the improvement in bee growth with listed gene targets for modification to further encourage the use of engineered gut symbionts to promote bee growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pachara Sattayawat
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Research Center of Deep Technology in Beekeeping and Bee Products for Sustainable Development Goals (SMART BEE SDGs), Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Sahutchai Inwongwan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Research Center of Deep Technology in Beekeeping and Bee Products for Sustainable Development Goals (SMART BEE SDGs), Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Nuttapol Noirungsee
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Research Center of Deep Technology in Beekeeping and Bee Products for Sustainable Development Goals (SMART BEE SDGs), Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Jilian Li
- Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jun Guo
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Terd Disayathanoowat
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Research Center of Deep Technology in Beekeeping and Bee Products for Sustainable Development Goals (SMART BEE SDGs), Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
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9
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Carlini DB, Winslow SK, Cloppenborg-Schmidt K, Baines JF. Quantitative microbiome profiling of honey bee (Apis mellifera) guts is predictive of winter colony loss in northern Virginia (USA). Sci Rep 2024; 14:11021. [PMID: 38744972 PMCID: PMC11094147 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61199-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
For the past 15 years, the proportion of honey bee hives that fail to survive winter has averaged ~ 30% in the United States. Winter hive loss has significant negative impacts on agriculture, the economy, and ecosystems. Compared to other factors, the role of honey bee gut microbial communities in driving winter hive loss has received little attention. We investigate the relationship between winter survival and honey bee gut microbiome composition of 168 honey bees from 23 hives, nine of which failed to survive through winter 2022. We found that there was a substantial difference in the abundance and community composition of honey bee gut microbiomes based on hive condition, i.e., winter survival or failure. The overall microbial abundance, as assessed using Quantitative Microbiome Profiling (QMP), was significantly greater in hives that survived winter 2022 than in those that failed, and the average overall abundance of each of ten bacterial genera was also greater in surviving hives. There were no significant differences in alpha diversity based on hive condition, but there was a highly significant difference in beta diversity. The bacterial genera Commensalibacter and Snodgrassella were positively associated with winter hive survival. Logistic regression and random forest machine learning models on pooled ASV counts for the genus data were highly predictive of winter outcome, although model performance decreased when samples from the location with no hive failures were excluded from analysis. As a whole, our results show that the abundance and community composition of honey bee gut microbiota is associated with winter hive loss, and can potentially be used as a diagnostic tool in evaluating hive health prior to the onset of winter. Future work on the functional characterization of the honey bee gut microbiome's role in winter survival is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- David B Carlini
- Department of Biology, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC, 20016, USA.
| | - Sundre K Winslow
- Department of Biology, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC, 20016, USA
| | - Katja Cloppenborg-Schmidt
- Section of Evolutionary Medicine, Institute for Experimental Medicine, Kiel University, Arnold-Heller-Str. 3, 24105, Kiel, Germany
| | - John F Baines
- Section of Evolutionary Medicine, Institute for Experimental Medicine, Kiel University, Arnold-Heller-Str. 3, 24105, Kiel, Germany.
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, August-Thienemann-Str. 2, 24306, Plön, Germany.
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10
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Maritan E, Quagliariello A, Frago E, Patarnello T, Martino ME. The role of animal hosts in shaping gut microbiome variation. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20230071. [PMID: 38497257 PMCID: PMC10945410 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Millions of years of co-evolution between animals and their associated microbial communities have shaped and diversified the nature of their relationship. Studies continue to reveal new layers of complexity in host-microbe interactions, the fate of which depends on a variety of different factors, ranging from neutral processes and environmental factors to local dynamics. Research is increasingly integrating ecosystem-based approaches, metagenomics and mathematical modelling to disentangle the individual contribution of ecological factors to microbiome evolution. Within this framework, host factors are known to be among the dominant drivers of microbiome composition in different animal species. However, the extent to which they shape microbiome assembly and evolution remains unclear. In this review, we summarize our understanding of how host factors drive microbial communities and how these dynamics are conserved and vary across taxa. We conclude by outlining key avenues for research and highlight the need for implementation of and key modifications to existing theory to fully capture the dynamics of host-associated microbiomes. This article is part of the theme issue 'Sculpting the microbiome: how host factors determine and respond to microbial colonization'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Maritan
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, 35020 Padova, Italy
| | - Andrea Quagliariello
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, 35020 Padova, Italy
| | - Enric Frago
- CIRAD, UMR CBGP, INRAE, Institut Agro, IRD, Université Montpellier, 34398 Montpellier, France
| | - Tomaso Patarnello
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, 35020 Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Elena Martino
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, 35020 Padova, Italy
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11
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Resci I, Zavatta L, Piva S, Mondo E, Albertazzi S, Nanetti A, Bortolotti L, Cilia G. Predictive statistical models for monitoring antimicrobial resistance spread in the environment using Apis mellifera (L. 1758) colonies. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 248:118365. [PMID: 38301758 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
The rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most relevant problems for human and animal health. According to One Health Approach, it is important to regulate the use of antimicrobials and monitor the spread of AMR in the environment as well. Apis mellifera (L. 1758) colonies were used as bioindicators thanks to their physical and behavioural characteristics. During their foraging flights, bees can intercept small particles, including atmospheric particulate matter, etc., and also microorganisms. To date, the antimicrobial surveillance network is limited to the sanitary level but lacks into environmental context. This study aimed to evaluate the use of A. mellifera colonies distributed throughout the Emilia-Romagna region (Italy) as indicators of environmental antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. This was performed by creating a statistical predictive model that establishes correlations between environmental characteristics and the likelihood of isolating specific bacterial genera and antimicrobial-resistant strains. A total of 608 strains were isolated and tested for susceptibility to 19 different antimicrobials. Aztreonam-resistant strains were significantly related to environments with sanitary structures, agricultural areas and wetlands, while urban areas present a higher probability of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole-resistant strains isolation. Concerning genera, environments with sanitary structures and wetlands are significantly related to the genera Proteus spp., while the Escherichia spp. strains can be probably isolated in industrial environments. The obtained models showed maximum values of Models Accuracy and robustness (R2) of 55 % and 24 %, respectively. The results indicate the efficacy of utilizing A. mellifera colonies as valuable bioindicators for estimating the prevalence of AMR in environmentally disseminated bacteria. This survey can be considered a good basis for the development of further studies focused on monitoring both sanitary and animal pathology, creating a specific network in the environments of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Resci
- Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment (CREA-AA), Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economics Analysis, Via di Corticella 133, 40128 Bologna, Italy; Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra, 43, 40064 Ozzano Dell'Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Laura Zavatta
- Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment (CREA-AA), Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economics Analysis, Via di Corticella 133, 40128 Bologna, Italy; DISTAL-Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Silvia Piva
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra, 43, 40064 Ozzano Dell'Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Elisabetta Mondo
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra, 43, 40064 Ozzano Dell'Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Sergio Albertazzi
- Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment (CREA-AA), Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economics Analysis, Via di Corticella 133, 40128 Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonio Nanetti
- Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment (CREA-AA), Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economics Analysis, Via di Corticella 133, 40128 Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Bortolotti
- Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment (CREA-AA), Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economics Analysis, Via di Corticella 133, 40128 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cilia
- Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment (CREA-AA), Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economics Analysis, Via di Corticella 133, 40128 Bologna, Italy.
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12
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Lin Z, Shen S, Wang K, Ji T. Biotic and abiotic stresses on honeybee health. Integr Zool 2024; 19:442-457. [PMID: 37427560 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Honeybees are the most critical pollinators providing key ecosystem services that underpin crop production and sustainable agriculture. Amidst a backdrop of rapid global change, this eusocial insect encounters a succession of stressors during nesting, foraging, and pollination. Ectoparasitic mites, together with vectored viruses, have been recognized as central biotic threats to honeybee health, while the spread of invasive giant hornets and small hive beetles also increasingly threatens colonies worldwide. Cocktails of agrochemicals, including acaricides used for mite treatment, and other pollutants of the environment have been widely documented to affect bee health in various ways. Additionally, expanding urbanization, climate change, and agricultural intensification often result in the destruction or fragmentation of flower-rich bee habitats. The anthropogenic pressures exerted by beekeeping management practices affect the natural selection and evolution of honeybees, and colony translocations facilitate alien species invasion and disease transmission. In this review, the multiple biotic and abiotic threats and their interactions that potentially undermine bee colony health are discussed, while taking into consideration the sensitivity, large foraging area, dense network among related nestmates, and social behaviors of honeybees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheguang Lin
- Apicultural Research Institute, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Siyi Shen
- Apicultural Research Institute, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Kang Wang
- Apicultural Research Institute, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Ting Ji
- Apicultural Research Institute, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
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13
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García-Lozano M, Henzler C, Porras MÁG, Pons I, Berasategui A, Lanz C, Budde H, Oguchi K, Matsuura Y, Pauchet Y, Goffredi S, Fukatsu T, Windsor D, Salem H. Paleocene origin of a streamlined digestive symbiosis in leaf beetles. Curr Biol 2024; 34:1621-1634.e9. [PMID: 38377997 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.01.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Timing the acquisition of a beneficial microbe relative to the evolutionary history of its host can shed light on the adaptive impact of a partnership. Here, we investigated the onset and molecular evolution of an obligate symbiosis between Cassidinae leaf beetles and Candidatus Stammera capleta, a γ-proteobacterium. Residing extracellularly within foregut symbiotic organs, Stammera upgrades the digestive physiology of its host by supplementing plant cell wall-degrading enzymes. We observe that Stammera is a shared symbiont across tortoise and hispine beetles that collectively comprise the Cassidinae subfamily, despite differences in their folivorous habits. In contrast to its transcriptional profile during vertical transmission, Stammera elevates the expression of genes encoding digestive enzymes while in the foregut symbiotic organs, matching the nutritional requirements of its host. Despite the widespread distribution of Stammera across Cassidinae beetles, symbiont acquisition during the Paleocene (∼62 mya) did not coincide with the origin of the subfamily. Early diverging lineages lack the symbiont and the specialized organs that house it. Reconstructing the ancestral state of host-beneficial factors revealed that Stammera encoded three digestive enzymes at the onset of symbiosis, including polygalacturonase-a pectinase that is universally shared. Although non-symbiotic cassidines encode polygalacturonase endogenously, their repertoire of plant cell wall-degrading enzymes is more limited compared with symbiotic beetles supplemented with digestive enzymes from Stammera. Highlighting the potential impact of a symbiotic condition and an upgraded metabolic potential, Stammera-harboring beetles exploit a greater variety of plants and are more speciose compared with non-symbiotic members of the Cassidinae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marleny García-Lozano
- Mutualisms Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Biology, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Christine Henzler
- Mutualisms Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Biology, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | | | - Inès Pons
- Mutualisms Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Biology, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Aileen Berasategui
- Mutualisms Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Biology, Tübingen 72076, Germany; Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam 1081 HV, the Netherlands
| | - Christa Lanz
- Genome Center, Max Planck Institute for Biology, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Heike Budde
- Department of Microbiome Science, Max Planck Institute for Biology, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Kohei Oguchi
- National Institute for Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba 305-8566, Japan; Misaki Marine Biological Station, The University of Tokyo, Miura 238-0225, Japan
| | - Yu Matsuura
- Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
| | - Yannick Pauchet
- Department of Insect Symbiosis, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena 07745, Germany
| | - Shana Goffredi
- Department of Biology, Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA 90041, USA
| | - Takema Fukatsu
- National Institute for Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba 305-8566, Japan
| | - Donald Windsor
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City 0843-03092, Panama
| | - Hassan Salem
- Mutualisms Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Biology, Tübingen 72076, Germany; Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City 0843-03092, Panama.
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14
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Yang C, Hu J, Su Q, Zhang Z, Du Y, Wang J, Sun H, Han B, Tang J, Guo L, Li H, Cai W, Zheng H, Zhou X, Zhang X. A review on recent taxonomic updates of gut bacteria associated with social bees, with a curated genomic reference database. INSECT SCIENCE 2024. [PMID: 38594229 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Honeybees and bumblebees play a crucial role as essential pollinators. The special gut microbiome of social bees is a key factor in determining the overall fitness and health of the host. Although bees harbor relatively simple microbial communities at the genus level, recent studies have unveiled significant genetic divergence and variations in gene content within each bacterial genus. However, a comprehensive and refined genomics-based taxonomic database specific to social bee gut microbiomes remains lacking. Here, we first provided an overview of the current knowledge on the distribution and function of social bee gut bacteria, as well as the factors that influence the gut population dynamics. We then consolidated all available genomes of the gut bacteria of social bees and refined the species-level taxonomy, by constructing a maximum-likelihood core genome phylogeny and calculating genome-wide pairwise average nucleotide identity. On the basis of the refined species taxonomy, we constructed a curated genomic reference database, named the bee gut microbe genome sequence database (BGM-GDb). To evaluate the species-profiling performance of the curated BGM-GDb, we retrieved a series of bee gut metagenomic data and inferred the species-level composition using metagenomic intra-species diversity analysis system (MIDAS), and then compared the results with those obtained from a prebuilt MIDAS database. We found that compared with the default database, the BGM-GDb excelled in aligned read counts and bacterial richness. Overall, this high-resolution and precise genomic reference database will facilitate research in understanding the gut community structure of social bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengfeng Yang
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University, Hainan Province, China
| | - Jiawei Hu
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Qinzhi Su
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Department of Geriatric Dentistry, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China
| | - Zijing Zhang
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yating Du
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jieni Wang
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Huihui Sun
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University, Hainan Province, China
| | - Benfeng Han
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Junbo Tang
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Lizhen Guo
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Hu Li
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Wanzhi Cai
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Zheng
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Zhou
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University, Hainan Province, China
| | - Xue Zhang
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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15
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Smriti, Rana A, Singh G, Gupta G. Prospects of probiotics in beekeeping: a review for sustainable approach to boost honeybee health. Arch Microbiol 2024; 206:205. [PMID: 38573383 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-03926-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Honeybees are vital for global crop pollination, making indispensable contributions to agricultural productivity. However, these vital insects are currently facing escalating colony losses on a global scale, primarily attributed to parasitic and pathogenic attacks. The prevalent response to combat these infections may involve the use of antibiotics. Nevertheless, the application of antibiotics raises concerns regarding potential adverse effects such as antibiotic resistance and imbalances in the gut microbiota of bees. In response to these challenges, this study reviews the utilization of a probiotic-supplemented pollen substitute diet to promote honeybee gut health, enhance immunity, and overall well-being. We systematically explore various probiotic strains and their impacts on critical parameters, including survival rate, colony strength, honey and royal jelly production, and the immune response of bees. By doing so, we emphasize the significance of maintaining a balanced gut microbial community in honeybees. The review also scrutinizes the factors influencing the gut microbial communities of bees, elucidates the consequences of dysbiosis, and evaluates the potential of probiotics to mitigate these challenges. Additionally, it delineates different delivery mechanisms for probiotic supplementation and elucidates their positive effects on diverse health parameters of honeybees. Given the alarming decline in honeybee populations and the consequential threat to global food security, this study provides valuable insights into sustainable practices aimed at supporting honeybee populations and enhancing agricultural productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smriti
- Department of Biosciences (UIBT), Chandigarh University, Mohali, 140413, India
| | - Anita Rana
- Department of Biosciences (UIBT), Chandigarh University, Mohali, 140413, India.
| | - Gagandeep Singh
- Department of Biosciences (UIBT), Chandigarh University, Mohali, 140413, India
| | - Garima Gupta
- Department of Agriculture (UIAS), Chandigarh University, Mohali, 140413, India
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16
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Quinn MW, Daisley BA, Vancuren SJ, Bouchema A, Niño E, Reid G, Thompson GJ, Allen-Vercoe E. Apirhabdus apintestini gen. nov., sp. nov., a member of a novel genus of the family Enterobacteriaceae, isolated from the gut of the western honey bee Apis mellifera. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2024; 74. [PMID: 38652096 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.006346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
A Gram-negative, motile, rod-shaped bacterial strain, CA-0114T, was isolated from the midgut of a western honey bee, Apis mellifera. The isolate exhibited ≤96.43 % 16S rRNA gene sequence identity (1540 bp) to members of the families Enterobacteriaceae and Erwiniaceae. Phylogenetic trees based on genome blast distance phylogeny and concatenated protein sequences encoded by conserved genes atpD, fusA, gyrB, infB, leuS, pyrG and rpoB separated the isolate from other genera forming a distinct lineage in the Enterobacteriaceae. In both trees, the closest relatives were Tenebrionicola larvae YMB-R21T and Tenebrionibacter intestinalis BIT-L3T, which were isolated previously from Tenebrio molitor L., a plastic-eating mealworm. Digital DNA-DNA hybridization, orthologous average nucleotide identity and average amino acid identity values between strain CA-0114T and the closest related members within the Enterobacteriaceae were ≤23.1, 75.45 and 76.04 %, respectively. The complete genome of strain CA-0114T was 4 451669 bp with a G+C content of 52.12 mol%. Notably, the apparent inability of strain CA-0114T to ferment d-glucose, inositol and l-rhamnose in the API 20E system is unique among closely related members of the Enterobacteriaceae. Based on the results obtained through genotypic and phenotypic analysis, we propose that strain CA-0114T represents a novel species and genus within the family Enterobacteriaceae, for which we propose the name Apirhabdus apintestini gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain CA-0114T=ATCC TSD-396T=DSM 116385T).
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew W Quinn
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Brendan A Daisley
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
- Department of Biology, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Sarah J Vancuren
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Amira Bouchema
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Elina Niño
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
- University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, Oakland, CA, 95618, USA
| | - Gregor Reid
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Graham J Thompson
- Department of Biology, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Emma Allen-Vercoe
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
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17
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Ye H, Jiang J, Lei Y, Fang N, Luo Y, Cheng Y, Li Y, Wang X, He H, Yu J, Xu Z, Zhang C. A systemic study of cyenopyrafen in strawberry cultivation system: Efficacy, residue behavior, and impact on honeybees (Apis mellifera L.). ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 346:123601. [PMID: 38373624 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
The pesticide application method is one of the important factors affecting its effectiveness and residues, and the risk of pesticides to non-target organisms. To elucidate the effect of application methods on the efficacy and residue of cyenopyrafen, and the toxic effects on pollinators honeybees in strawberry cultivation, the efficacy and residual behavior of cyenopyrafen were investigated using foliar spray and backward leaf spray in field trials. The results showed that the initial deposition of cyenopyrafen using backward leaf spray on target leaves reached 5.06-9.81 mg/kg at the dose of 67.5-101.25 g a.i./ha, which was higher than that using foliar spray (2.62-3.71 mg/kg). The half-lives of cyenopyrafen in leaves for foliar and backward leaf spray was 2.3-3.3 and 5.3-5.9 d, respectively. The residues (10 d) of cyenopyrafen in leaves after backward leaf spray was 1.41-3.02 mg/kg, which was higher than that after foliar spraying (0.25-0.37 mg/kg). It is the main reason for the better efficacy after backward leaf spray. However, the residues (10 d) in strawberry after backward leaf spray and foliar spray was 0.04-0.10 and < 0.01 mg/kg, which were well below the established maximum residue levels of cyenopyrafen in Japan and South Korea for food safety. To further investigate the effects of cyenopyrafen residues after backward leaf spray application on pollinator honeybees, sublethal effects of cyenopyrafen on honeybees were studied. The results indicated a significant inhibition in the detoxification metabolic enzymes of honeybees under continuous exposure of cyenopyrafen (0.54 and 5.4 mg/L) over 8 d. The cyenopyrafen exposure also alters the composition of honeybee gut microbiota, such as increasing the relative abundance of Rhizobiales and decreasing the relative abundance of Acetobacterales. The comprehensive data on cyenopyrafen provide basic theoretical for environmental and ecological risk assessment, while backward leaf spray proved to be effective and safe for strawberry cultivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Ye
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory for Pesticide Residue Detection, Institute of Agro-Products Safety and Nutrition, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, 310021, PR China
| | - Jinhua Jiang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory for Pesticide Residue Detection, Institute of Agro-Products Safety and Nutrition, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, 310021, PR China
| | - Yuan Lei
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory for Pesticide Residue Detection, Institute of Agro-Products Safety and Nutrition, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, 310021, PR China
| | - Nan Fang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory for Pesticide Residue Detection, Institute of Agro-Products Safety and Nutrition, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, 310021, PR China
| | - Yuqin Luo
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory for Pesticide Residue Detection, Institute of Agro-Products Safety and Nutrition, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, 310021, PR China
| | - Youpu Cheng
- Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin, 300392, PR China
| | - Yanjie Li
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory for Pesticide Residue Detection, Institute of Agro-Products Safety and Nutrition, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, 310021, PR China; Xianghu Laboratory, Hangzhou, 311231, PR China
| | - Xiangyun Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory for Pesticide Residue Detection, Institute of Agro-Products Safety and Nutrition, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, 310021, PR China
| | - Hongmei He
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory for Pesticide Residue Detection, Institute of Agro-Products Safety and Nutrition, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, 310021, PR China
| | - Jianzhong Yu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory for Pesticide Residue Detection, Institute of Agro-Products Safety and Nutrition, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, 310021, PR China
| | - Zhenlan Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory for Pesticide Residue Detection, Institute of Agro-Products Safety and Nutrition, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, 310021, PR China
| | - Changpeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory for Pesticide Residue Detection, Institute of Agro-Products Safety and Nutrition, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, 310021, PR China.
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18
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Tilocca B, Greco V, Piras C, Ceniti C, Paonessa M, Musella V, Bava R, Palma E, Morittu VM, Spina AA, Castagna F, Urbani A, Britti D, Roncada P. The Bee Gut Microbiota: Bridging Infective Agents Potential in the One Health Context. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3739. [PMID: 38612550 PMCID: PMC11012054 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The bee gut microbiota plays an important role in the services the bees pay to the environment, humans and animals. Alongside, gut-associated microorganisms are vehiculated between apparently remote habitats, promoting microbial heterogeneity of the visited microcosms and the transfer of the microbial genetic elements. To date, no metaproteomics studies dealing with the functional bee microbiota are available. Here, we employ a metaproteomics approach to explore a fraction of the bacterial, fungal, and unicellular parasites inhabiting the bee gut. The bacterial community portrays a dynamic composition, accounting for specimens of human and animal concern. Their functional features highlight the vehiculation of virulence and antimicrobial resistance traits. The fungal and unicellular parasite fractions include environment- and animal-related specimens, whose metabolic activities support the spatial spreading of functional features. Host proteome depicts the major bee physiological activities, supporting the metaproteomics strategy for the simultaneous study of multiple microbial specimens and their host-crosstalks. Altogether, the present study provides a better definition of the structure and function of the bee gut microbiota, highlighting its impact in a variety of strategies aimed at improving/overcoming several current hot topic issues such as antimicrobial resistance, environmental pollution and the promotion of environmental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Tilocca
- Department of Health Science, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (C.P.); (C.C.); (M.P.); (V.M.); (R.B.); (E.P.); (V.M.M.); (A.A.S.); (F.C.); (D.B.)
| | - Viviana Greco
- Department of Basic Biotechnological Sciences, Intensivological and Perioperative Clinics, Catholic University of the Sacred Hearth, 00168 Rome, Italy; (V.G.); (A.U.)
- Unity of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Clinical Molecular Biology, Department of Diagnostic and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Cristian Piras
- Department of Health Science, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (C.P.); (C.C.); (M.P.); (V.M.); (R.B.); (E.P.); (V.M.M.); (A.A.S.); (F.C.); (D.B.)
| | - Carlotta Ceniti
- Department of Health Science, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (C.P.); (C.C.); (M.P.); (V.M.); (R.B.); (E.P.); (V.M.M.); (A.A.S.); (F.C.); (D.B.)
| | - Mariachiara Paonessa
- Department of Health Science, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (C.P.); (C.C.); (M.P.); (V.M.); (R.B.); (E.P.); (V.M.M.); (A.A.S.); (F.C.); (D.B.)
| | - Vincenzo Musella
- Department of Health Science, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (C.P.); (C.C.); (M.P.); (V.M.); (R.B.); (E.P.); (V.M.M.); (A.A.S.); (F.C.); (D.B.)
| | - Roberto Bava
- Department of Health Science, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (C.P.); (C.C.); (M.P.); (V.M.); (R.B.); (E.P.); (V.M.M.); (A.A.S.); (F.C.); (D.B.)
| | - Ernesto Palma
- Department of Health Science, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (C.P.); (C.C.); (M.P.); (V.M.); (R.B.); (E.P.); (V.M.M.); (A.A.S.); (F.C.); (D.B.)
| | - Valeria Maria Morittu
- Department of Health Science, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (C.P.); (C.C.); (M.P.); (V.M.); (R.B.); (E.P.); (V.M.M.); (A.A.S.); (F.C.); (D.B.)
| | - Anna Antonella Spina
- Department of Health Science, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (C.P.); (C.C.); (M.P.); (V.M.); (R.B.); (E.P.); (V.M.M.); (A.A.S.); (F.C.); (D.B.)
| | - Fabio Castagna
- Department of Health Science, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (C.P.); (C.C.); (M.P.); (V.M.); (R.B.); (E.P.); (V.M.M.); (A.A.S.); (F.C.); (D.B.)
| | - Andrea Urbani
- Department of Basic Biotechnological Sciences, Intensivological and Perioperative Clinics, Catholic University of the Sacred Hearth, 00168 Rome, Italy; (V.G.); (A.U.)
- Unity of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Clinical Molecular Biology, Department of Diagnostic and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Domenico Britti
- Department of Health Science, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (C.P.); (C.C.); (M.P.); (V.M.); (R.B.); (E.P.); (V.M.M.); (A.A.S.); (F.C.); (D.B.)
| | - Paola Roncada
- Department of Health Science, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (C.P.); (C.C.); (M.P.); (V.M.); (R.B.); (E.P.); (V.M.M.); (A.A.S.); (F.C.); (D.B.)
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19
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Han L, Chang ZM, Ren CS, Chen XS, Smagghe G, Yuan YG, Long JK. Colony performance of three native bumblebee species from South China and association with their gut microbiome. INSECT SCIENCE 2024. [PMID: 38516802 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Bumblebees play an important ecological economic role as pollinators in nature and agriculture. For reasons of biosecurity, many countries promote the cultivation of native bumblebee species for crop pollination instead of importing "alien" species. In South China, a few bumblebee species are considered useful in this way, particularly, Bombus atripes, Bombus bicoloratus and Bombus breviceps. However, whether they are suitable for artificial rearing and forming healthy colonies for pollination, remains unknown. In this project, queens from the 3 native species of Guizhou Province were collected and colonies were started under standardized conditions. The colonies were scored based on 19 parameters, including the stage of colony development, number and weight of offspring, and diet consumed. The data revealed that B. breviceps had the best performance, produced more workers and consumed the smallest diet. Next, we performed 16S rDNA sequencing of the bacterial communities found in the guts of offspring workers, and then a correlation analysis between colony performance and gut bacteria was conducted. Here, B. breviceps showed the highest diversity in gut bacterial composition, dominated by the bacteria Gilliamella, Snodgrassella, Enterobacter, and Lactobacillus Firm5. The higher the abundance of Snodgrassella, the better the performance of the colony in the foundation stage, and later Lactobacillus Firm5, Apibacter and Bifidobacterium were beneficial during the stages of rapid growth and colony decline. Although we do not understand all of the interactions yet, these correlations explain why B. breviceps demonstrated better colony performance. Our data provide valuable information for breeding local Bombus species and will contribute to developing strong colonies for crop pollination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Han
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education/College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Zhi-Min Chang
- Institute of Entomology/Provincial Special Key Laboratory for Developing and Utilization of Insect Resources, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Chang-Shi Ren
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education/College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Xiang-Sheng Chen
- Institute of Entomology/Provincial Special Key Laboratory for Developing and Utilization of Insect Resources, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Institute of Entomology/Provincial Special Key Laboratory for Developing and Utilization of Insect Resources, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Yi-Ge Yuan
- Institute of Entomology/Provincial Special Key Laboratory for Developing and Utilization of Insect Resources, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Jian-Kun Long
- Institute of Entomology/Provincial Special Key Laboratory for Developing and Utilization of Insect Resources, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
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20
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Carreira de Paula J, García Olmedo P, Gómez-Moracho T, Buendía-Abad M, Higes M, Martín-Hernández R, Osuna A, de Pablos LM. Promastigote EPS secretion and haptomonad biofilm formation as evolutionary adaptations of trypanosomatid parasites for colonizing honeybee hosts. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2024; 10:27. [PMID: 38514634 PMCID: PMC10957890 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-024-00492-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Bees are major pollinators involved in the maintenance of all terrestrial ecosystems. Biotic and abiotic factors placing these insects at risk is a research priority for ecological and agricultural sustainability. Parasites are one of the key players of this global decline and the study of their mechanisms of action is essential to control honeybee colony losses. Trypanosomatid parasites and particularly the Lotmaria passim are widely spread in honeybees, however their lifestyle is poorly understood. In this work, we show how these parasites are able to differentiate into a new parasitic lifestyle: the trypanosomatid biofilms. Using different microscopic techniques, we demonstrated that the secretion of Extracellular Polymeric Substances by free-swimming unicellular promastigote forms is a prerequisite for the generation and adherence of multicellular biofilms to solid surfaces in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, compared to human-infective trypanosomatid parasites our study shows how trypanosomatid parasites of honeybees increases their resistance and thus resilience to drastic changes in environmental conditions such as ultralow temperatures and hypoosmotic shock, which would explain their success thriving within or outside their hosts. These results set up the basis for the understanding of the success of this group of parasites in nature and to unveil the impact of such pathogens in honeybees, a keystones species in most terrestrial ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica Carreira de Paula
- Department of Parasitology, Biochemical and Molecular Parasitology Group CTS-183, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Pedro García Olmedo
- Department of Parasitology, Biochemical and Molecular Parasitology Group CTS-183, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Tamara Gómez-Moracho
- Department of Parasitology, Biochemical and Molecular Parasitology Group CTS-183, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - María Buendía-Abad
- Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), IRIAF - Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal, Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Marchamalo, Spain
- Instituto de Recursos Humanos para la Ciencia y la Tecnología, Fundación Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Castilla-La Mancha, 02006, Albacete, Spain
| | - Mariano Higes
- Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), IRIAF - Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal, Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Marchamalo, Spain
- Instituto de Recursos Humanos para la Ciencia y la Tecnología, Fundación Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Castilla-La Mancha, 02006, Albacete, Spain
| | - Raquel Martín-Hernández
- Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), IRIAF - Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal, Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Marchamalo, Spain
- Instituto de Recursos Humanos para la Ciencia y la Tecnología, Fundación Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Castilla-La Mancha, 02006, Albacete, Spain
| | - Antonio Osuna
- Department of Parasitology, Biochemical and Molecular Parasitology Group CTS-183, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Luis Miguel de Pablos
- Department of Parasitology, Biochemical and Molecular Parasitology Group CTS-183, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
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21
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Dong JH, Xu X, Ren ZX, Zhao YH, Zhang Y, Chen L, Wu Y, Chen G, Cao R, Wu Q, Wang H. The adaptation of bumblebees to extremely high elevation associated with their gut microbiota. mSystems 2024; 9:e0121923. [PMID: 38329353 PMCID: PMC10949452 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.01219-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Bumblebees are among the most abundant and important pollinators for sub-alpine and alpine flowering plant species in the Northern Hemisphere, but little is known about their adaptations to high elevations. In this article, we focused on two bumblebee species, Bombus friseanus and Bombus prshewalskyi, and their respective gut microbiota. The two species, distributed through the Hengduan Mountains of southwestern China, show species replacement at different elevations. We performed genome sequencing based on 20 worker bee samples of each species. Applying evolutionary population genetics and metagenomic approaches, we detected genes under selection and analyzed functional pathways between bumblebees and their gut microbes. We found clear genetic differentiation between the two host species and significant differences in their microbiota. Species replacement occurred in both hosts and their bacteria (Snodgrassella) with an increase in elevation. These extremely high-elevation bumblebees show evidence of positive selection related to diverse biological processes. Positively selected genes involved in host immune systems probably contributed to gut microbiota changes, while the butyrate generated by gut microbiota may influence both host energy metabolism and immune systems. This suggests a close association between the genomes of the host species and their microbiomes based on some degree of natural selection.IMPORTANCETwo closely related and dominant bumblebee species, distributed at different elevations through the Hengduan Mountains of southwestern China, showed a clear genomic signature of adaptation to elevation at the molecular level and significant differences in their respective microbiota. Species replacement occurred in both hosts and their bacteria (Snodgrassella) with an increase in elevation. Bumblebees' adaptations to higher elevations are closely associated with their gut microbiota through two biological processes: energy metabolism and immune response. Information allowing us to understand the adaptive mechanisms of species to extreme conditions is implicit if we are to conserve them as their environments change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiu-Hong Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Zong-Xin Ren
- CAS Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Yan-Hui Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Yaran Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Li Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - You Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guotao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ruiqing Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
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22
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Encerrado-Manriquez AM, Pouv AK, Fine JD, Nicklisch SCT. Enhancing knowledge of chemical exposures and fate in honey bee hives: Insights from colony structure and interactions. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 916:170193. [PMID: 38278225 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Honey bees are unintentionally exposed to a wide range of chemicals through various routes in their natural environment, yet research on the cumulative effects of multi-chemical and sublethal exposures on important caste members, including the queen bee and brood, is still in its infancy. The hive's social structure and food-sharing (trophallaxis) practices are important aspects to consider when identifying primary and secondary exposure pathways for residential hive members and possible chemical reservoirs within the colony. Secondary exposures may also occur through chemical transfer (maternal offloading) to the brood and by contact through possible chemical diffusion from wax cells to all hive members. The lack of research on peer-to-peer exposures to contaminants and their metabolites may be in part due to the limitations in sensitive analytical techniques for monitoring chemical fate and dispersion. Combined application of automated honey bee monitoring and modern chemical trace analysis techniques could offer rapid progress in quantifying chemical transfer and accumulation within the hive environment and developing effective mitigation strategies for toxic chemical co-exposures. To enhance the understanding of chemical fate and toxicity within the entire colony, it is crucial to consider both the intricate interactions among hive members and the potential synergistic effects arising from combinations of chemical and their metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amara K Pouv
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; Department of Fisheries, Animal, and Veterinary Science, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Julia D Fine
- Invasive Species and Pollinator Health Research Unit, USDA-ARS, 3026 Bee Biology Rd., Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Sascha C T Nicklisch
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
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23
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Papp M, Tóth AG, Békési L, Farkas R, Makrai L, Maróti G, Solymosi N. Apis mellifera filamentous virus from a honey bee gut microbiome survey in Hungary. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5803. [PMID: 38461199 PMCID: PMC10924886 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56320-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024] Open
Abstract
In Hungary, as part of a nationwide, climatically balanced survey for a next-generation sequencing-based study of the honey bee (Apis mellifera) gut microbiome, repeated sampling was carried out during the honey production season (March and May 2019). Among other findings, the presence of Apis mellifera filamentous virus (AmFV) was detected in all samples, some at very high levels. AmFV-derived reads were more abundant in the March samples than in the May samples. In March, a higher abundance of AmFV-originated reads was identified in samples collected from warmer areas compared to those collected from cooler areas. A lower proportion of AmFV-derived reads were identified in samples collected in March from the wetter areas than those collected from the drier areas. AmFV-read abundance in samples collected in May showed no significant differences between groups based on either environmental temperature or precipitation. The AmFV abundance correlated negatively with Bartonella apihabitans, Bartonella choladocola, and positively with Frischella perrara, Gilliamella apicola, Gilliamella sp. ESL0443, Lactobacillus apis, Lactobacillus kullabergensis, Lactobacillus sp. IBH004. De novo metagenome assembly of four samples resulted in almost the complete AmFV genome. According to phylogenetic analysis based on DNA polymerase, the Hungarian strains are closest to the strain CH-05 isolated in Switzerland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Márton Papp
- Centre for Bioinformatics, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Budapest, 1078, Hungary
| | - Adrienn Gréta Tóth
- Centre for Bioinformatics, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Budapest, 1078, Hungary
| | - László Békési
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Budapest, 1078, Hungary
| | - Róbert Farkas
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Budapest, 1078, Hungary
| | | | - Gergely Maróti
- Institute of Plant Biology, Biological Research Center, HUN-REN, Szeged, 6726, Hungary
- Faculty of Water Sciences, University of Public Service, Baja, 6500, Hungary
| | - Norbert Solymosi
- Centre for Bioinformatics, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Budapest, 1078, Hungary.
- Department of Phyisics of Complex Systems, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, 1117, Hungary.
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24
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Weinhold A, Grüner E, Keller A. Bumble bee microbiota shows temporal succession and increase of lactic acid bacteria when exposed to outdoor environments. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1342781. [PMID: 38500505 PMCID: PMC10945022 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1342781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Question The large earth bumble bee (Bombus terrestris) maintains a social core gut-microbiota, similar as known from the honey bee, which plays an important role for host health and resistance. Experiments under laboratory conditions with commercial hives are limited to vertically transmitted microbes and neglect influences of environmental factors or external acquisition of microbes. Various environmental and landscape-level factors may have an impact on the gut-microbiota of pollinating insects, with consequences for pollinator health and fitness in agroecosystems. Still, it is not fully clear whether access to different flower diversities will have a significant influence on the bumble bee microbiota. Here, we tested in a semi-field experiment if the bumble bee microbiota changes over time when exposed to different flower diversities within outdoor flight cages. We used commercial hives to distinguish between vertically and horizontally transmitted bacteria, respectively from the nest environment or the exposed outside environment. Result The sequential sampling of foraging workers over a period of 35 days indicated a temporal progression of the bumble bee microbiota when placed outside. The microbiota increased in diversity and changed in composition and variability over time. We observed a major increase in relative abundance of the families Lactobacillaceae, Bifidobacteriaceae and Weeksellaceae. In contrast, major core-taxa like Snodgrassella and Gilliamella declined in their relative abundance over time. The genus Lactobacillus showed a high diversity and strain specific turnover, so that only specific ASVs showed an increase over time, while others had a more erratic occurrence pattern. Exposure to different flower diversities had no significant influence on the progression of the bumble bee microbiota. Conclusion The bumble bee microbiota showed a dynamic temporal succession with distinct compositional changes and diversification over time when placed outdoor. The exposure of bumble bees to environmental conditions, or environmental microbes, increases dissimilarity and changes the gut-community composition. This shows the importance of environmental influences on the temporal dynamic and progression of the bumble bee microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arne Weinhold
- Cellular and Organismic Networks, Faculty of Biology, Center for Organismic Adaptation, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
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25
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Liu L, Shi M, Wu Y, Xie X, Li S, Dai P, Gao J. Interactive effects of dinotefuran and Nosema ceranae on the survival status and gut microbial community of honey bees. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 200:105808. [PMID: 38582580 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2024.105808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Growing evidences have shown that the decline in honey bee populations is mainly caused by the combination of multiple stressors. However, the impacts of parasitic Nosema ceranae to host fitness during long-term pesticide exposure-induced stress is largely unknown. In this study, the effects of chronic exposure to a sublethal dose of dinotefuran, in the presence or absence of N. ceranae, was examined in terms of survival, food consumption, detoxification enzyme activities and gut microbial community. The interaction between dinotefuran and Nosema ceranae on the survival of honey bee was synergistic. Co-exposure to dinotefuran and N. ceranae led to less food consumption and greater changes of enzyme activities involved in defenses against oxidative stress. Particularly, N. ceranae and dinotefuran-N. ceranae co-exposure significantly impacted the gut microbiota structure and richness in adult honey bees, while dinotefuran alone did not show significant alternation of core gut microbiota compared to the control group. We herein demonstrated that chronical exposure to dinotefuran decreases honey bee's survival but is not steadily associated with the gut microbiota dysbiosis; by contrast, N. ceranae parasitism plays a dominant role in the combination in influencing the gut microbial community of the host honey bee. Our findings provide a comprehensive understanding of combinatorial effects between biotic and abiotic stressors on one of the most important pollinators, honey bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; College of Life Sciences and Agriculture and Forestry, Qiqihar University, Qiqihar 161006, China
| | - Min Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; Development Center of Plant Germplasm Resources, College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 201418, China
| | - Yanyan Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xianbing Xie
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Shanshan Li
- College of Life Sciences and Agriculture and Forestry, Qiqihar University, Qiqihar 161006, China.
| | - Pingli Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Jing Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
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26
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Xiaowen C, Jiahao L, Zhaorun D, Wenfeng L, Richou H, Yanping C, Huichun X, Yi Z. Honeybee symbiont Bombella apis could restore larval-to-pupal transition disrupted by antibiotic treatment. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 153:104601. [PMID: 38142957 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2023.104601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Numerous studies have demonstrated the vital roles of gut microbes in the health, immunity, nutrient metabolism, and behavior of adult worker honeybees. However, a few studies have been conducted on gut microbiota associated with the larval stage of honeybees. In the present study, we explored the role of a gut bacterium in larval development and larval-pupal transition in the Asian honeybee, Apis cerana. First, our examination of gut microbial profiling showed that Bombella apis, a larvae-associated bacterium, was the most dominant bacterium colonized in the fifth instar larvae. Second, we demonstrated that tetracycline, an antibiotic used to treat a honeybee bacterial brood disease, could cause the complete depletion of gut bacteria. This antibiotic-induced gut microbiome depletion in turn, significantly impacted the survivorship, pupation rate and emergence rate of the treated larvae. Furthermore, our analysis of gene expression pattens revealed noteworthy changes in key genes. The expression of genes responsible for encoding storage proteins vitellogenin (vg) and major royal jelly protein 1 (mrjp1) was significantly down-regulated in the tetracycline-treated larvae. Concurrently, the expression of krüppel homolog 1(kr-h1), a pivotal gene in endocrine signaling, increased, whilethe expression of broad-complex (br-c) gene that plays a key role in the ecdysone regulation decreased. These alterations indicated a disruption in the coordination of juvenile hormone and ecdysteroid synthesis. Finally, we cultivated B. apis isolated from the fifth instar worker larval of A. cerana and fed tetracycline-treated larvae with a diet replenished by B. apis. This intervention resulted in a significant improvement in the pupation rate, emergence rate, and overall survival rate of the treated larvae. Our findings demonstrate the positive impact of B. apis on honeybee larvae development, providing new evidence of the functional capacities of gut microbes in honeybee growth and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Xiaowen
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Medicinal Plant and Animal Resources, Qinghai Normal University, Xi'ning 810008, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510260, China
| | - Li Jiahao
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510260, China
| | - Ding Zhaorun
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510260, China
| | - Li Wenfeng
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510260, China
| | - Han Richou
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510260, China
| | - Chen Yanping
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Xie Huichun
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Medicinal Plant and Animal Resources, Qinghai Normal University, Xi'ning 810008, China; Qinghai Ecosystem Observation and Research Station in the Southern Qilian Mountains, Haidong 810500, China.
| | - Zhang Yi
- School of Chinese Medicinal Resource, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Yunfu 527527, China.
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27
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Conradie TA, Lawson K, Allsopp M, Jacobs K. Exploring the impact of fungicide exposure and nutritional stress on the microbiota and immune response of the Cape honey bee (Apis mellifera capensis). Microbiol Res 2024; 280:127587. [PMID: 38142516 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2023.127587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Honey bees (Apis mellifera) harbour a stable core microbial community within their gut, that is suggested to play a role in metabolic functioning, immune regulation, and host homeostasis. This microbiota presents a unique opportunity to observe the effects of stressors on honey bee health. We examined the effects of two common honey bee stressors: indirect fungicide contamination and nutrient limitation. These effects were observed through changes in their hind- and midgut microbiota using Automated Ribosomal Intergenic Spacer Analysis (ARISA), alongside high-throughput amplicon sequencing. Expression of the honey bees' immune response was examined through the expression of three immune-related genes, namely, immune deficiency (imd), proPhenolOxidase (proPO), and spaetzle (spz). Additionally, longevity of the honey bees was monitored through observation of the expression levels of Vitellogenin (Vg). Both treatment groups were compared to a negative control, and a diseased positive control. There was no effect on the hindgut microbiota due to the stressors, while significant changes in the midgut was observed. This was also observed in the expression of the immune-related genes within the treatment groups. The Imd pathway was substantially downregulated, with upregulation in the prophenoloxidase pathway. However, no significant effect was observed in the expression of spz, and only the pollen treatment group showed reduced longevity through a downregulation of Vg. Overall, the effect of these two common stressors indicate a compromise in honey bee immunity, and potential vulnerabilities within the immune defence mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tersia A Conradie
- Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
| | - Kayla Lawson
- Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
| | - Mike Allsopp
- Agricultural Research Council - Plant, Health & Protection, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
| | - Karin Jacobs
- Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa.
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Motta EVS, Moran NA. The honeybee microbiota and its impact on health and disease. Nat Rev Microbiol 2024; 22:122-137. [PMID: 38049554 PMCID: PMC10998682 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-023-00990-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
Honeybees (Apis mellifera) are key pollinators that support global agriculture and are long-established models for developmental and behavioural research. Recently, they have emerged as models for studying gut microbial communities. Earlier research established that hindguts of adult worker bees harbour a conserved set of host-restricted bacterial species, each showing extensive strain variation. These bacteria can be cultured axenically and introduced to gnotobiotic hosts, and some have basic genetic tools available. In this Review, we explore the most recent research showing how the microbiota establishes itself in the gut and impacts bee biology and health. Microbiota members occupy specific niches within the gut where they interact with each other and the host. They engage in cross-feeding and antagonistic interactions, which likely contribute to the stability of the community and prevent pathogen invasion. An intact gut microbiota provides protection against diverse pathogens and parasites and contributes to the processing of refractory components of the pollen coat and dietary toxins. Absence or disruption of the microbiota results in altered expression of genes that underlie immunity, metabolism, behaviour and development. In the field, such disruption by agrochemicals may negatively impact bees. These findings demonstrate a key developmental and protective role of the microbiota, with broad implications for bee health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erick V S Motta
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Nancy A Moran
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA.
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Chhun A, Moriano-Gutierrez S, Zoppi F, Cabirol A, Engel P, Schaerli Y. An engineered bacterial symbiont allows noninvasive biosensing of the honey bee gut environment. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002523. [PMID: 38442124 PMCID: PMC10914260 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The honey bee is a powerful model system to probe host-gut microbiota interactions, and an important pollinator species for natural ecosystems and for agriculture. While bacterial biosensors can provide critical insight into the complex interplay occurring between a host and its associated microbiota, the lack of methods to noninvasively sample the gut content, and the limited genetic tools to engineer symbionts, have so far hindered their development in honey bees. Here, we built a versatile molecular tool kit to genetically modify symbionts and reported for the first time in the honey bee a technique to sample their feces. We reprogrammed the native bee gut bacterium Snodgrassella alvi as a biosensor for IPTG, with engineered cells that stably colonize the gut of honey bees and report exposure to the molecules in a dose-dependent manner through the expression of a fluorescent protein. We showed that fluorescence readout can be measured in the gut tissues or noninvasively in the feces. These tools and techniques will enable rapid building of engineered bacteria to answer fundamental questions in host-gut microbiota research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audam Chhun
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Florian Zoppi
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Amélie Cabirol
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Engel
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Yolanda Schaerli
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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30
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Castillo DC, Sinpoo C, Phokasem P, Yongsawas R, Sansupa C, Attasopa K, Suwannarach N, Inwongwan S, Noirungsee N, Disayathanoowat T. Distinct fungal microbiomes of two Thai commercial stingless bee species, Lepidotrigona terminata and Tetragonula pagdeni suggest a possible niche separation in a shared habitat. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1367010. [PMID: 38469352 PMCID: PMC10925696 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1367010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Stingless bees, a social corbiculate bee member, play a crucial role in providing pollination services. Despite their importance, the structure of their microbiome, particularly the fungal communities, remains poorly understood. This study presents an initial characterization of the fungal community associated with two Thai commercial stingless bee species, Lepidotrigona terminata (Smith) and Tetragonula pagdeni (Schwarz) from Chiang Mai, Thailand. Utilizing ITS amplicon sequencing, we identified distinct fungal microbiomes in these two species. Notably, fungi from the phyla Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Mucoromycota, Mortierellomycota, and Rozellomycota were present. The most dominant genera, which varied significantly between species, included Candida and Starmerella. Additionally, several key enzymes associated with energy metabolism, structural strength, and host defense reactions, such as adenosine triphosphatase, alcohol dehydrogenase, β-glucosidase, chitinase, and peptidylprolyl isomerase, were predicted. Our findings not only augment the limited knowledge of the fungal microbiome in Thai commercial stingless bees but also provide insights for their sustainable management through understanding their microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana C. Castillo
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Central Luzon State University, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
- Research Center of Deep Technology in Beekeeping and Bee Products for Sustainable Development Goals (SMART BEE SDGs), Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Chainarong Sinpoo
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Research Center of Deep Technology in Beekeeping and Bee Products for Sustainable Development Goals (SMART BEE SDGs), Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Office of Research Administration, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Patcharin Phokasem
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Research Center of Deep Technology in Beekeeping and Bee Products for Sustainable Development Goals (SMART BEE SDGs), Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Office of Research Administration, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Rujipas Yongsawas
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Research Center of Deep Technology in Beekeeping and Bee Products for Sustainable Development Goals (SMART BEE SDGs), Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Chakriya Sansupa
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Korrawat Attasopa
- Research Center of Deep Technology in Beekeeping and Bee Products for Sustainable Development Goals (SMART BEE SDGs), Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Nakarin Suwannarach
- Research Center of Deep Technology in Beekeeping and Bee Products for Sustainable Development Goals (SMART BEE SDGs), Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Office of Research Administration, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Sahutchai Inwongwan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Research Center of Deep Technology in Beekeeping and Bee Products for Sustainable Development Goals (SMART BEE SDGs), Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Nuttapol Noirungsee
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Research Center of Deep Technology in Beekeeping and Bee Products for Sustainable Development Goals (SMART BEE SDGs), Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Terd Disayathanoowat
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Research Center of Deep Technology in Beekeeping and Bee Products for Sustainable Development Goals (SMART BEE SDGs), Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
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Hotchkiss MZ, Forrest JRK, Poulain AJ. Exposure to a fungicide for a field-realistic duration does not alter bumble bee fecal microbiota structure. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0173923. [PMID: 38240563 PMCID: PMC10880609 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01739-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Social bees are frequently exposed to pesticides when foraging on nectar and pollen. Recent research has shown that pesticide exposure not only impacts social bee host health but can also alter the community structure of social bee gut microbiotas. However, most research on pesticide-bee gut microbiota interactions has been conducted in honey bees; bumble bees, native North American pollinators, have received less attention and, due to differences in their ecology, may be exposed to certain pesticides for shorter durations than honey bees. Here, we examine how exposure to the fungicide chlorothalonil for a short, field-realistic duration alters bumble bee fecal microbiotas (used as a proxy for gut microbiotas) and host performance. We expose small groups of Bombus impatiens workers (microcolonies) to field-realistic chlorothalonil concentrations for 5 days, track changes in fecal microbiotas during the exposure period and a recovery period, and compare microcolony offspring production between treatments at the end of the experiment. We also assess the use of fecal microbiotas as a gut microbiota proxy by comparing community structures of fecal and gut microbiotas. We find that chlorothalonil exposure for a short duration does not alter bumble bee fecal microbiota structure or affect microcolony production at any concentration but that fecal and gut microbiotas differ significantly in community structure. Our results show that, at least when exposure durations are brief and unaccompanied by other stressors, bumble bee microbiotas are resilient to fungicide exposure. Additionally, our work highlights the importance of sampling gut microbiotas directly, when possible.IMPORTANCEWith global pesticide use expected to increase in the coming decades, studies on how pesticides affect the health and performance of animals, including and perhaps especially pollinators, will be crucial to minimize negative environmental impacts of pesticides in agriculture. Here, we find no effect of exposure to chlorothalonil for a short, field-realistic period on bumble bee fecal microbiota community structure or microcolony production regardless of pesticide concentration. Our results can help inform pesticide use practices to minimize negative environmental impacts on the health and fitness of bumble bees, which are key native, commercial pollinators in North America. We also find that concurrently sampled bumble bee fecal and gut microbiotas contain similar microbes but differ from one another in community structure and consequently suggest that using fecal microbiotas as a proxy for gut microbiotas be done cautiously; this result contributes to our understanding of proxy use in gut microbiota research.
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Li J, Fu N, Wang M, Gao C, Gao B, Ren L, Tao J, Luo Y. Functional and Compositional Changes in Sirex noctilio Gut Microbiome in Different Habitats: Unraveling the Complexity of Invasive Adaptation. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2526. [PMID: 38473774 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The mutualistic symbiosis relationship between the gut microbiome and their insect hosts has attracted much scientific attention. The native woodwasp, Sirex nitobei, and the invasive European woodwasp, Sirex noctilio, are two pests that infest pines in northeastern China. Following its encounter with the native species, however, there is a lack of research on whether the gut microbiome of S. noctilio changed, what causes contributed to these alterations, and whether these changes were more conducive to invasive colonization. We used high-throughput and metatranscriptomic sequencing to investigate S. noctilio larval gut and frass from four sites where only S. noctilio and both two Sirex species and investigated the effects of environmental factors, biological interactions, and ecological processes on S. noctilio gut microbial community assembly. Amplicon sequencing of two Sirex species revealed differential patterns of bacterial and fungal composition and functional prediction. S. noctilio larval gut bacterial and fungal diversity was essentially higher in coexistence sites than in separate existence sites, and most of the larval gut bacterial and fungal community functional predictions were significantly different as well. Moreover, temperature and precipitation positively correlate with most of the highly abundant bacterial and fungal genera. Source-tracking analysis showed that S. noctilio larvae at coexistence sites remain dependent on adult gut transmission (vertical transmission) or recruitment to frass (horizontal transmission). Meanwhile, stochastic processes of drift and dispersal limitation also have important impacts on the assembly of S. noctilio larval gut microbiome, especially at coexistence sites. In summary, our results reveal the potential role of changes in S. noctilio larval gut microbiome in the successful colonization and better adaptation of the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiale Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Forest Pest Control, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
- Sino-France Joint Laboratory for Invasive Forest Pests in Eurasia, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Ningning Fu
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Forest Pest Control, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
- Department of Forest Protection, College of Forestry, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071033, China
| | - Ming Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Forest Pest Control, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510260, China
| | - Chenglong Gao
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Forest Pest Control, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Silviculture, Protection and Utilization, Guangdong Academy of Forestry, Guangzhou 510520, China
| | - Bingtao Gao
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Forest Pest Control, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
- Research Institute of Tropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Guangzhou 510520, China
| | - Lili Ren
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Forest Pest Control, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
- Sino-France Joint Laboratory for Invasive Forest Pests in Eurasia, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Jing Tao
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Forest Pest Control, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
- Sino-France Joint Laboratory for Invasive Forest Pests in Eurasia, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Youqing Luo
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Forest Pest Control, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
- Sino-France Joint Laboratory for Invasive Forest Pests in Eurasia, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
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Li Z, Guo D, Wang C, Chi X, Liu Z, Wang Y, Wang H, Guo X, Wang N, Xu B, Gao Z. Toxic effects of the heavy metal Cd on Apis cerana cerana (Hymenoptera: Apidae): Oxidative stress, immune disorders and disturbance of gut microbiota. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169318. [PMID: 38143006 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic non-essential metal element that can enter the honey bee body through air, water and soil. Currently, there is a lack of sufficient research on the effects of Cd on A. cerana cerana, especially the potential risks of long-term exposure to sublethal concentrations. In order to ascertain the toxicological effects of the heavy metal Cd on bees, we performed laboratory-based toxicity experiments on worker bees and conducted analyses from three distinctive facets: antioxidative, immunological, and gut microbiota. The results showed that exposure of bees to high concentrations of Cd resulted in acute mortality, and the increase in mortality was concentration dependent. In long-term exposure to sublethal concentrations, Cd reduced the number of transcripts of antioxidant genes (AccSOD1, AccTPx3 and AccTPx4) and superoxide dismutase activity, causing an increase in malondialdehyde content. Simultaneously, the transcription of immune-related genes (AccAbaecin and AccApidaecin) and acetylcholinesterase activities was inhibited. Furthermore, Cd changes the structural characteristics of bacterial and fungal communities in the gut, disrupting the balance of microbial communities. In conclusion, the health and survival of honey bees are affected by Cd. This study provides a scientific basis for investigating the toxicological mechanisms and control strategies of the heavy metal Cd on honey bees, while facilitating a better understanding and protection of these valuable honey bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongyu Li
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong 271018, People's Republic of China
| | - Dezheng Guo
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong 271018, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong 271018, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuepeng Chi
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong 271018, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenguo Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong 271018, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong 271018, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongfang Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong 271018, People's Republic of China
| | - Xingqi Guo
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong 271018, People's Republic of China
| | - Ningxin Wang
- College of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong 271018, People's Republic of China.
| | - Baohua Xu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong 271018, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zheng Gao
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong 271018, People's Republic of China.
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Porras MF, Raygoza Garay JA, Brought M, López-Londoño T, Chautá A, Crone M, Rajotte EG, Phan N, Joshi NK, Peter K, Biddinger D. Fungicide ingestion reduces net energy gain and microbiome diversity of the solitary mason bee. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3229. [PMID: 38332135 PMCID: PMC10853529 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53935-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Fungicides are frequently used during tree fruit bloom and can threaten insect pollinators. However, little is known about how non-honey bee pollinators such as the solitary bee, Osmia cornifrons, respond to contact and systemic fungicides commonly used in apple production during bloom. This knowledge gap limits regulatory decisions that determine safe concentrations and timing for fungicide spraying. We evaluated the effects of two contact fungicides (captan and mancozeb) and four translaminar/plant systemic fungicides (cyprodinil, myclobutanil, penthiopyrad, and trifloxystrobin) on larval weight gain, survival, sex ratio, and bacterial diversity. This assessment was carried out using chronic oral ingestion bioassays where pollen provisions were treated with three doses based on the currently recommended field use dose (1X), half dose (0.5X), and low dose (0.1X). Mancozeb and penthiopyrad significantly reduced larval weight and survival at all doses. We then sequenced the 16S gene to characterize the larvae bacteriome of mancozeb, the fungicide that caused the highest mortality. We found that larvae fed on mancozeb-treated pollen carried significantly lower bacterial diversity and abundance. Our laboratory results suggest that some of these fungicides can be particularly harmful to the health of O. cornifrons when sprayed during bloom. This information is relevant for future management decisions about the sustainable use of fruit tree crop protection products and informing regulatory processes that aim to protect pollinators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitzy F Porras
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, 501 ASI Bldg, University Park, USA.
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94132, USA.
| | - Juan Antonio Raygoza Garay
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Dr, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Malachi Brought
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, 501 ASI Bldg, University Park, USA
| | - Tomas López-Londoño
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, 208 Mueller Lab, University Park, PA16802, USA
| | - Alexander Chautá
- Department of Ecology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USA
| | - Makaylee Crone
- Center for Pollinator Research, Intercollege Graduate Program in Ecology, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA16802, USA
| | - Edwin G Rajotte
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, 501 ASI Bldg, University Park, USA
| | - Ngoc Phan
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, 72701, USA
| | - Neelendra K Joshi
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, 72701, USA
| | - Kari Peter
- Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology, Fruit Research and Extension Center, Pennsylvania State University, 290 University Dr., Biglerville, PA, 17307, USA
| | - David Biddinger
- Department of Entomology, Fruit Research and Extension Center, 290 University Dr., Biglerville, PA, 17307, USA
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Nguyen JB, Marshall CW, Cook CN. The buzz within: the role of the gut microbiome in honeybee social behavior. J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb246400. [PMID: 38344873 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.246400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Gut symbionts influence the physiology and behavior of their host, but the extent to which these effects scale to social behaviors is an emerging area of research. The use of the western honeybee (Apis mellifera) as a model enables researchers to investigate the gut microbiome and behavior at several levels of social organization. Insight into gut microbial effects at the societal level is critical for our understanding of how involved microbial symbionts are in host biology. In this Commentary, we discuss recent findings in honeybee gut microbiome research and synthesize these with knowledge of the physiology and behavior of other model organisms to hypothesize how host-microbe interactions at the individual level could shape societal dynamics and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- J B Nguyen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA
| | - C W Marshall
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA
| | - C N Cook
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA
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Quinn A, El Chazli Y, Escrig S, Daraspe J, Neuschwander N, McNally A, Genoud C, Meibom A, Engel P. Host-derived organic acids enable gut colonization of the honey bee symbiont Snodgrassella alvi. Nat Microbiol 2024; 9:477-489. [PMID: 38225461 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01572-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
Diverse bacteria can colonize the animal gut using dietary nutrients or by engaging in microbial crossfeeding interactions. Less is known about the role of host-derived nutrients in enabling gut bacterial colonization. Here we examined metabolic interactions within the evolutionary ancient symbiosis between the honey bee (Apis mellifera) and the core gut microbiota member Snodgrassella alvi. This betaproteobacterium is incapable of metabolizing saccharides, yet colonizes the honey bee gut in the presence of a sugar-only diet. Using comparative metabolomics, 13C-tracers and nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS), we show in vivo that S. alvi grows on host-derived organic acids, including citrate, glycerate and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutarate, which are actively secreted by the host into the gut lumen. S. alvi also modulates tryptophan metabolism in the gut by converting kynurenine to anthranilate. These results suggest that S. alvi is adapted to a specific metabolic niche in the honey bee gut that depends on host-derived nutritional resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Quinn
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Yassine El Chazli
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Stéphane Escrig
- Laboratory for Biological Geochemistry, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jean Daraspe
- Electron Microscopy Facility, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Neuschwander
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Aoife McNally
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Christel Genoud
- Electron Microscopy Facility, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Anders Meibom
- Laboratory for Biological Geochemistry, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Center for Advanced Surface Analysis, Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Engel
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Wang G, Ding X, Yang J, Ma L, Sun X, Zhu R, Lu R, Xiao Z, Xing Z, Liu J, Pan Z, Xu S, Sima Y. Effects of Habitual Dietary Change on the Gut Microbiota and Health of Silkworms. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1722. [PMID: 38339000 PMCID: PMC10855636 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Diet plays a crucial role in shaping the gut microbiota and overall health of animals. Traditionally, silkworms are fed fresh mulberry leaves, and artificial diets do not support good health. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between the dietary transition from artificial diets to mulberry leaves and the effects on the gut microbiota and physiological changes in silkworms as a model organism. With the transition from artificial diets to mulberry leaves, the diversity of the silkworm gut microbiota increased, and the proportion of Enterococcus and Weissella, the dominant gut bacterial species in silkworms reared on artificial diets, decreased, whereas the abundance of Achromobacter and Rhodococcus increased. Dietary transition at different times, including the third or fifth instar larval stages, resulted in significant differences in the growth and development, immune resistance, and silk production capacity of silkworms. These changes might have been associated with the rapid adaptation of the intestinal microbiota of silkworms to dietary transition. This study preliminarily established a dietary transition-gut microbial model in silkworms based on the conversion from artificial diets to mulberry leaves, thus providing an important reference for future studies on the mechanisms through which habitual dietary changes affect host physiology through the gut microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang Wang
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China; (G.W.); (S.X.)
- Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology & Ecology (IABE), Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Xueyan Ding
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China; (G.W.); (S.X.)
- Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology & Ecology (IABE), Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Jiameng Yang
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China; (G.W.); (S.X.)
- Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology & Ecology (IABE), Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Lu Ma
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China; (G.W.); (S.X.)
- Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology & Ecology (IABE), Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Xiaoning Sun
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China; (G.W.); (S.X.)
- Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology & Ecology (IABE), Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Ruihong Zhu
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China; (G.W.); (S.X.)
- Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology & Ecology (IABE), Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Riming Lu
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China; (G.W.); (S.X.)
- Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology & Ecology (IABE), Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Zhitian Xiao
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China; (G.W.); (S.X.)
- Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology & Ecology (IABE), Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Zhiyi Xing
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China; (G.W.); (S.X.)
- Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology & Ecology (IABE), Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Jingbin Liu
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China; (G.W.); (S.X.)
- Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology & Ecology (IABE), Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Zhonghua Pan
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China; (G.W.); (S.X.)
- Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology & Ecology (IABE), Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Shiqing Xu
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China; (G.W.); (S.X.)
- Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology & Ecology (IABE), Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Yanghu Sima
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China; (G.W.); (S.X.)
- Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology & Ecology (IABE), Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
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Schott J, Rakei J, Remus-Emsermann M, Johnston P, Mbedi S, Sparmann S, Hilker M, Paniagua Voirol LR. Microbial associates of the elm leaf beetle: uncovering the absence of resident bacteria and the influence of fungi on insect performance. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0105723. [PMID: 38179921 PMCID: PMC10807431 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01057-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Microbial symbionts play crucial roles in the biology of many insects. While bacteria have been the primary focus of research on insect-microbe symbiosis, recent studies suggest that fungal symbionts may be just as important. The elm leaf beetle (ELB, Xanthogaleruca luteola) is a serious pest species of field elm (Ulmus minor). Using culture-dependent and independent methods, we investigated the abundance and species richness of bacteria and fungi throughout various ELB life stages and generations, while concurrently analyzing microbial communities on elm leaves. No persistent bacterial community was found to be associated with the ELB or elm leaves. By contrast, fungi were persistently present in the beetle's feeding life stages and on elm leaves. Fungal community sequencing revealed a predominance of the genera Penicillium and Aspergillus in insects and on leaves. Culture-dependent surveys showed a high prevalence of two fungal colony morphotypes closely related to Penicillium lanosocoeruleum and Aspergillus flavus. Among these, the Penicillium morphotype was significantly more abundant on feeding-damaged compared with intact leaves, suggesting that the fungus thrives in the presence of the ELB. We assessed whether the detected prevalent fungal morphotypes influenced ELB's performance by rearing insects on (i) surface-sterilized leaves, (ii) leaves inoculated with Penicillium spores, and (iii) leaves inoculated with Aspergillus spores. Insects feeding on Penicillium-inoculated leaves gained more biomass and tended to lay larger egg clutches than those consuming surface-sterilized leaves or Aspergillus-inoculated leaves. Our results demonstrate that the ELB does not harbor resident bacteria and that it might benefit from associating with Penicillium fungi.IMPORTANCEOur study provides insights into the still understudied role of microbial symbionts in the biology of the elm leaf beetle (ELB), a major pest of elms. Contrary to expectations, we found no persistent bacterial symbionts associated with the ELB or elm leaves. Our research thus contributes to the growing body of knowledge that not all insects rely on bacterial symbionts. While no persistent bacterial symbionts were detectable in the ELB and elm leaf samples, our analyses revealed the persistent presence of fungi, particularly Penicillium and Aspergillus on both elm leaves and in the feeding ELB stages. Moreover, when ELB were fed with fungus-treated elm leaves, we detected a potentially beneficial effect of Penicillium on the ELB's development and fecundity. Our results highlight the significance of fungal symbionts in the biology of this insect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Schott
- Applied Zoology/Animal Ecology, Institute of Biology, Freie Universitaet Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Juliette Rakei
- Applied Zoology/Animal Ecology, Institute of Biology, Freie Universitaet Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Paul Johnston
- Berlin Center for Genomics in Biodiversity Research (BeGenDiv), Berlin, Germany
- Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Berlin, Germany
| | - Susan Mbedi
- Berlin Center for Genomics in Biodiversity Research (BeGenDiv), Berlin, Germany
- Museum für Naturkunde Leibniz-Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sarah Sparmann
- Berlin Center for Genomics in Biodiversity Research (BeGenDiv), Berlin, Germany
- Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Berlin, Germany
| | - Monika Hilker
- Applied Zoology/Animal Ecology, Institute of Biology, Freie Universitaet Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Anderson KE, Allen NO, Copeland DC, Kortenkamp OL, Erickson R, Mott BM, Oliver R. A longitudinal field study of commercial honey bees shows that non-native probiotics do not rescue antibiotic treatment, and are generally not beneficial. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1954. [PMID: 38263184 PMCID: PMC10806037 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52118-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Probiotics are widely used in agriculture including commercial beekeeping, but there is little evidence supporting their effectiveness. Antibiotic treatments can greatly distort the gut microbiome, reducing its protective abilities and facilitating the growth of antibiotic resistant pathogens. Commercial beekeepers regularly apply antibiotics to combat bacterial infections, often followed by an application of non-native probiotics advertised to ease the impact of antibiotic-induced gut dysbiosis. We tested whether probiotics affect the gut microbiome or disease prevalence, or rescue the negative effects of antibiotic induced gut dysbiosis. We found no difference in the gut microbiome or disease markers by probiotic application or antibiotic recovery associated with probiotic treatment. A colony-level application of the antibiotics oxytetracycline and tylosin produced an immediate decrease in gut microbiome size, and over the longer-term, very different and persistent dysbiotic effects on the composition and membership of the hindgut microbiome. Our results demonstrate the lack of probiotic effect or antibiotic rescue, detail the duration and character of dysbiotic states resulting from different antibiotics, and highlight the importance of the gut microbiome for honeybee health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirk E Anderson
- USDA-ARS Carl Hayden Bee Research Center, 2000 E. Allen Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85719, USA.
| | - Nathan O Allen
- Department of Entomology and Center for Insect Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Duan C Copeland
- USDA-ARS Carl Hayden Bee Research Center, 2000 E. Allen Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85719, USA
| | - Oliver L Kortenkamp
- Department of Entomology and Center for Insect Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Robert Erickson
- USDA-ARS Carl Hayden Bee Research Center, 2000 E. Allen Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85719, USA
| | - Brendon M Mott
- USDA-ARS Carl Hayden Bee Research Center, 2000 E. Allen Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85719, USA
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Sbaghdi T, Garneau JR, Yersin S, Chaucheyras-Durand F, Bocquet M, Moné A, El Alaoui H, Bulet P, Blot N, Delbac F. The Response of the Honey Bee Gut Microbiota to Nosema ceranae Is Modulated by the Probiotic Pediococcus acidilactici and the Neonicotinoid Thiamethoxam. Microorganisms 2024; 12:192. [PMID: 38258019 PMCID: PMC10819737 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12010192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The honey bee Apis mellifera is exposed to a variety of biotic and abiotic stressors, such as the highly prevalent microsporidian parasite Nosema (Vairimorpha) ceranae and neonicotinoid insecticides. Both can affect honey bee physiology and microbial gut communities, eventually reducing its lifespan. They can also have a combined effect on the insect's survival. The use of bacterial probiotics has been proposed to improve honey bee health, but their beneficial effect remains an open question. In the present study, western honey bees were experimentally infected with N. ceranae spores, chronically exposed to the neonicotinoid thiamethoxam, and/or supplied daily with the homofermentative bacterium Pediococcus acidilactici MA18/5M thought to improve the honey bees' tolerance to the parasite. Deep shotgun metagenomic sequencing allowed the response of the gut microbiota to be investigated with a taxonomic resolution at the species level. All treatments induced significant changes in honey bee gut bacterial communities. Nosema ceranae infection increased the abundance of Proteus mirabilis, Frischella perrara, and Gilliamella apicola and reduced the abundance of Bifidobacterium asteroides, Fructobacillus fructosus, and Lactobacillus spp. Supplementation with P. acidilactici overturned some of these alterations, bringing back the abundance of some altered species close to the relative abundance found in the controls. Surprisingly, the exposure to thiamethoxam also restored the relative abundance of some species modulated by N. ceranae. This study shows that stressors and probiotics may have an antagonistic impact on honey bee gut bacterial communities and that P. acidilactici may have a protective effect against the dysbiosis induced by an infection with N. ceranae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thania Sbaghdi
- Laboratoire “Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement”, CNRS, Université Clermont Auvergne, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; (T.S.); (A.M.); (H.E.A.)
| | - Julian R. Garneau
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Campus UNIL-Sorge, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; (J.R.G.); (S.Y.)
| | - Simon Yersin
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Campus UNIL-Sorge, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; (J.R.G.); (S.Y.)
| | - Frédérique Chaucheyras-Durand
- Lallemand SAS, 19 Rue des Briquetiers, BP 59, CEDEX, F-31702 Blagnac, France;
- Microbiologie Environnement Digestif et Santé, INRAE, Université Clermont Auvergne, F-63122 Saint-Genès Champanelle, France
| | | | - Anne Moné
- Laboratoire “Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement”, CNRS, Université Clermont Auvergne, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; (T.S.); (A.M.); (H.E.A.)
| | - Hicham El Alaoui
- Laboratoire “Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement”, CNRS, Université Clermont Auvergne, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; (T.S.); (A.M.); (H.E.A.)
| | - Philippe Bulet
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CR Université Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, F-38000 Grenoble, France;
- Platform BioPark Archamps, ArchParc, F-74160 Archamps, France
| | - Nicolas Blot
- Laboratoire “Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement”, CNRS, Université Clermont Auvergne, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; (T.S.); (A.M.); (H.E.A.)
| | - Frédéric Delbac
- Laboratoire “Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement”, CNRS, Université Clermont Auvergne, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; (T.S.); (A.M.); (H.E.A.)
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41
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Zhang G, Dilday S, Kuesel RW, Hopkins B. Phytochemicals, Probiotics, Recombinant Proteins: Enzymatic Remedies to Pesticide Poisonings in Bees. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:54-62. [PMID: 38127782 PMCID: PMC10785755 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c07581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
The ongoing global decline of bees threatens biodiversity and food safety as both wild plants and crops rely on bee pollination to produce viable progeny or high-quality products in high yields. Pesticide exposure is a major driving force for the decline, yet pesticide use remains unreconciled with bee conservation since studies demonstrate that bees continue to be heavily exposed to and threatened by pesticides in crops and natural habitats. Pharmaceutical methods, including the administration of phytochemicals, probiotics (beneficial bacteria), and recombinant proteins (enzymes) with detoxification functions, show promise as potential solutions to mitigate pesticide poisonings. We discuss how these new methods can be appropriately developed and applied in agriculture from bee biology and ecotoxicology perspectives. As countless phytochemicals, probiotics, and recombinant proteins exist, this Perspective will provide suggestive guidance to accelerate the development of new techniques by directing research and resources toward promising candidates. Furthermore, we discuss practical limitations of the new methods mentioned above in realistic field applications and propose recommendations to overcome these limitations. This Perspective builds a framework to allow researchers to use new detoxification techniques more efficiently in order to mitigate the harmful impacts of pesticides on bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ge Zhang
- Department of Entomology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164, United States
| | - Sam Dilday
- Department of Entomology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164, United States
| | - Ryan William Kuesel
- Department of Entomology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164, United States
| | - Brandon Hopkins
- Department of Entomology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164, United States
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42
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Deng Y, Yang S, Zhang L, Chen C, Cheng X, Hou C. Chronic bee paralysis virus exploits host antimicrobial peptides and alters gut microbiota composition to facilitate viral infection. THE ISME JOURNAL 2024; 18:wrae051. [PMID: 38519112 PMCID: PMC11014883 DOI: 10.1093/ismejo/wrae051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
The significance of gut microbiota in regulating animal immune response to viral infection is increasingly recognized. However, how chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV) exploits host immune to disturb microbiota for its proliferation remains elusive. Through histopathological examination, we discovered that the hindgut harbored the highest level of CBPV, and displayed visible signs of damages. The metagenomic analysis showed that a notable reduction in the levels of Snodgrassella alvi and Lactobacillus apis, and a significant increase in the abundance of the opportunistic pathogens such as Enterobacter hormaechei and Enterobacter cloacae following CBPV infection. Subsequent co-inoculation experiments showed that these opportunistic pathogens facilitated the CBPV proliferation, leading to accelerated mortality in bees and exacerbation of bloated abdomen symptoms after CBPV infection. The expression level of antimicrobial peptide (AMP) was found to be significantly up-regulated by over 1000 times in response to CBPV infection, as demonstrated by subsequent transcriptome and quantitative real-time PCR investigations. In particular, through correlation analysis and a bacteriostatic test revealed that the AMPs did not exhibit any inhibitory effect against the two opportunistic pathogens. However, they did demonstrate inhibitory activity against S. alvi and L. apis. Our findings provide different evidence that the virus infection may stimulate and utilize the host's AMPs to eradicate probiotic species and facilitate the proliferation of opportunistic bacteria. This process weakens the intestinal barrier and ultimately resulting in the typical bloated abdomen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanchun Deng
- Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410205, China
| | - Sa Yang
- Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
- Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Chenxiao Chen
- Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410205, China
| | - Xuefen Cheng
- Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410205, China
| | - Chunsheng Hou
- Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410205, China
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43
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Vernier CL, Nguyen LA, Gernat T, Ahmed AC, Chen Z, Robinson GE. Gut microbiota contribute to variations in honey bee foraging intensity. THE ISME JOURNAL 2024; 18:wrae030. [PMID: 38412118 PMCID: PMC11008687 DOI: 10.1093/ismejo/wrae030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Gut microbiomes are increasingly recognized for mediating diverse biological aspects of their hosts, including complex behavioral phenotypes. Although many studies have reported that experimental disruptions to the gut microbial community result in atypical host behavior, studies that address how gut microbes contribute to adaptive behavioral trait variation are rare. Eusocial insects represent a powerful model to test this, because of their simple gut microbiota and complex division of labor characterized by colony-level variation in behavioral phenotypes. Although previous studies report correlational differences in gut microbial community associated with division of labor, here, we provide evidence that gut microbes play a causal role in defining differences in foraging behavior between European honey bees (Apis mellifera). We found that gut microbial community structure differed between hive-based nurse bees and bees that leave the hive to forage for floral resources. These differences were associated with variation in the abundance of individual microbes, including Bifidobacterium asteroides, Bombilactobacillus mellis, and Lactobacillus melliventris. Manipulations of colony demography and individual foraging experience suggested that differences in gut microbial community composition were associated with task experience. Moreover, single-microbe inoculations with B. asteroides, B. mellis, and L. melliventris caused effects on foraging intensity. These results demonstrate that gut microbes contribute to division of labor in a social insect, and support a role of gut microbes in modulating host behavioral trait variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassondra L Vernier
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, United States
| | - Lan Anh Nguyen
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, United States
| | - Tim Gernat
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, United States
| | - Amy Cash Ahmed
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, United States
| | - Zhenqing Chen
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, United States
| | - Gene E Robinson
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, United States
- Department of Entomology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61810, United States
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, United States
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44
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Smutin D, Taldaev A, Lebedev E, Adonin L. Shotgun Metagenomics Reveals Minor Micro" bee"omes Diversity Defining Differences between Larvae and Pupae Brood Combs. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:741. [PMID: 38255816 PMCID: PMC10815634 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Bees represent not only a valuable asset in agriculture, but also serve as a model organism within contemporary microbiology. The metagenomic composition of the bee superorganism has been substantially characterized. Nevertheless, traditional cultural methods served as the approach to studying brood combs in the past. Indeed, the comb microbiome may contribute to determining larval caste differentiation and hive immunity. To further this understanding, we conducted a shotgun sequencing analysis of the brood comb microbiome. While we found certain similarities regarding species diversity, it exhibits significant differentiation from all previously described hive metagenomes. Many microbiome members maintain a relatively constant ratio, yet taxa with the highest abundance level tend to be ephemeral. More than 90% of classified metagenomes were Gammaproteobacteria, Bacilli and Actinobacteria genetic signatures. Jaccard dissimilarity between samples based on bacteria genus classifications hesitate from 0.63 to 0.77, which for shotgun sequencing indicates a high consistency in bacterial composition. Concurrently, we identified antagonistic relationships between certain bacterial clusters. The presence of genes related to antibiotic synthesis and antibiotic resistance suggests potential mechanisms underlying the stability of comb microbiomes. Differences between pupal and larval combs emerge in the total metagenome, while taxa with the highest abundance remained consistent. All this suggests that a key role in the functioning of the comb microbiome is played by minor biodiversity, the function of which remains to be established experimentally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniil Smutin
- Institute of Environmental and Agricultural Biology (X-BIO), Tyumen State University, Tyumen 625003, Russia
- Faculty of Information Technology and Programming, ITMO University, St. Petersburg 197101, Russia
| | - Amir Taldaev
- Institute of Environmental and Agricultural Biology (X-BIO), Tyumen State University, Tyumen 625003, Russia
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow 119121, Russia
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny 141700, Russia
| | - Egor Lebedev
- Institute of Environmental and Agricultural Biology (X-BIO), Tyumen State University, Tyumen 625003, Russia
| | - Leonid Adonin
- Institute of Environmental and Agricultural Biology (X-BIO), Tyumen State University, Tyumen 625003, Russia
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow 119121, Russia
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45
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Fowler AE, McFrederick QS, Adler LS. Pollen Diet Diversity does not Affect Gut Bacterial Communities or Melanization in a Social and Solitary Bee Species. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2024; 87:25. [PMID: 38165515 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-023-02323-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Pollinators face many stressors, including reduced floral diversity. A low-diversity diet can impair organisms' ability to cope with additional stressors, such as pathogens, by altering the gut microbiome and/or immune function, but these effects are understudied for most pollinators. We investigated the impact of pollen diet diversity on two ecologically and economically important generalist pollinators, the social bumble bee (Bombus impatiens) and the solitary alfalfa leafcutter bee (Megachile rotundata). We experimentally tested the effect of one-, two-, or three-species pollen diets on gut bacterial communities in both species, and the melanization immune response in B. impatiens. Pollen diets included dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina), and hawthorn (Crataegus sp.) alone, each pair-wise combination, or a mix of all three species. We fed bees their diet for 7 days and then dissected out guts and sequenced 16S rRNA gene amplicons to characterize gut bacterial communities. To assess melanization in B. impatiens, we inserted microfilament implants into the bee abdomen and measured melanin deposition on the implant. We found that pollen diet did not influence gut bacterial communities in M. rotundata. In B. impatiens, pollen diet composition, but not diversity, affected gut bacterial richness in older, but not newly-emerged bees. Pollen diet did not affect the melanization response in B. impatiens. Our results suggest that even a monofloral, low-quality pollen diet such as dandelion can support diverse gut bacterial communities in captive-reared adults of these bee species. These findings shed light on the effects of reduced diet diversity on bee health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison E Fowler
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA.
- Center for Conservation Genomics, Smithsonian National Zoological Park and Conservation Biology Institute, 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20008, USA.
| | - Quinn S McFrederick
- Department of Entomology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Lynn S Adler
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
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Suenami S, Sato M, Miyazaki R. Gustatory Responsiveness of Honey Bees Colonized with a Defined or Conventional Gut Microbiota. Microbes Environ 2024; 39:ME23081. [PMID: 38447985 PMCID: PMC10982108 DOI: 10.1264/jsme2.me23081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Gut microbes have many beneficial functions for host animals, such as food digestion and development of the immune system. An increasing number of studies report that gut bacteria also affect host neural function and behavior. The sucrose responsiveness of the western honey bee Apis mellifera, which harbors a characteristic gut microbiota, was recently reported to be increased by the presence of gut microbes. However, this responsiveness may vary depending on the experimental design, as animal behavior may be modulated by physiological states and environmental conditions. To evaluate the robustness of the effects of the gut microbiota on host gustatory responsiveness, we herein examined the sucrose responsiveness of honey bees colonized with a defined bacterial community or a conventional gut microbiota extracted from a field-collected bee. Although colonization was experimentally verified, sucrose responsiveness did not significantly differ among treatments after the 2- or 5-h starvation period. We concluded that the sucrose responsiveness of A. mellifera is not always affected by its gut microbiota. Therefore, host physiological conditions and environmental factors need to be considered when evaluating the impact of the gut microbiota on host neural function and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shota Suenami
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba 305–8566, Japan
| | - Masato Sato
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba 305–8566, Japan
| | - Ryo Miyazaki
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba 305–8566, Japan
- Computational Bio Big Data Open Innovation Laboratory (CBBD-OIL), AIST, Tokyo 169–8555, Japan
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305–8572, Japan
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Robinson CRP, Dolezal AG, Newton ILG. Host species and geography impact bee-associated RNA virus communities with evidence for isolation by distance in viral populations. ISME COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 4:ycad003. [PMID: 38304079 PMCID: PMC10833078 DOI: 10.1093/ismeco/ycad003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Virus symbionts are important mediators of ecosystem function, yet we know little of their diversity and ecology in natural populations. The alarming decline of pollinating insects in many regions of the globe, especially the European honey bee, Apis mellifera, has been driven in part by worldwide transmission of virus pathogens. Previous work has examined the transmission of known honey bee virus pathogens to wild bee populations, but only a handful of studies have investigated the native viromes associated with wild bees, limiting epidemiological predictors associated with viral pathogenesis. Further, variation among different bee species might have important consequences in the acquisition and maintenance of bee-associated virome diversity. We utilized comparative metatranscriptomics to develop a baseline description of the RNA viromes associated with wild bee pollinators and to document viral diversity, community composition, and structure. Our sampling includes five wild-caught, native bee species that vary in social behavior as well as managed honey bees. We describe 26 putatively new RNA virus species based on RNA-dependent RNA polymerase phylogeny and show that each sampled bee species was associated with a specific virus community composition, even among sympatric populations of distinct host species. From 17 samples of a single host species, we recovered a single virus species despite over 600 km of distance between host populations and found strong evidence for isolation by distance in associated viral populations. Our work adds to the small number of studies examining viral prevalence and community composition in wild bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris R P Robinson
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, United States
| | - Adam G Dolezal
- Department of Entomology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, United States
| | - Irene L G Newton
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, United States
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Steffan SA, Dharampal PS, Kueneman JG, Keller A, Argueta-Guzmán MP, McFrederick QS, Buchmann SL, Vannette RL, Edlund AF, Mezera CC, Amon N, Danforth BN. Microbes, the 'silent third partners' of bee-angiosperm mutualisms. Trends Ecol Evol 2024; 39:65-77. [PMID: 37940503 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
While bee-angiosperm mutualisms are widely recognized as foundational partnerships that have shaped the diversity and structure of terrestrial ecosystems, these ancient mutualisms have been underpinned by 'silent third partners': microbes. Here, we propose reframing the canonical bee-angiosperm partnership as a three-way mutualism between bees, microbes, and angiosperms. This new conceptualization casts microbes as active symbionts, processing and protecting pollen-nectar provisions, consolidating nutrients for bee larvae, enhancing floral attractancy, facilitating plant fertilization, and defending bees and plants from pathogens. In exchange, bees and angiosperms provide their microbial associates with food, shelter, and transportation. Such microbial communities represent co-equal partners in tripartite mutualisms with bees and angiosperms, facilitating one of the most important ecological partnerships on land.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn A Steffan
- US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 1575 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Department of Entomology, University of Wisconsin, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
| | - Prarthana S Dharampal
- Department of Entomology, University of Wisconsin, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Biology Department, McHenry County College, 8900 Northwest Hwy #14, Crystal Lake, IL 60012, USA
| | - Jordan G Kueneman
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Comstock Hall, 2126, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Alexander Keller
- Cellular and Organismic Networks, Faculty of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Martinsried, Germany
| | | | - Quinn S McFrederick
- Department of Entomology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Stephen L Buchmann
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Rachel L Vannette
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Anna F Edlund
- Department of Biology, Bethany College, 31 E Campus Drive, Bethany, WV 26032, USA
| | - Celeste C Mezera
- Department of Entomology, University of Wisconsin, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Nolan Amon
- Department of Entomology, University of Wisconsin, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Bryan N Danforth
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Comstock Hall, 2126, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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Al Naggar Y, Wubet T. Chronic exposure to pesticides disrupts the bacterial and fungal co-existence and the cross-kingdom network characteristics of honey bee gut microbiome. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167530. [PMID: 37832690 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Gut microbiome communities have a significant impact on bee health and disease and have been shown to be shaped by a variety of factors, including exposure to pesticides and inhive chemicals. However, it is unknown whether pesticide exposure affects the coexistence and cross-kingdom network parameters of bee gut microbiome communities because microbes may compete in the gut environment under different stressors. Therefore, we conducted additional analysis of the microbiome data from our previous study in which we discovered that exposure to two novel insecticides flupyradifurone (FPF) and sulfoxaflor (Sulf) or/and a fungicide, azoxystrobin (Azoxy) caused dysbiosis of bee gut microbiota that was associated with an increase in the relative abundance of opportunistic pathogens such as Serratia marcescens. We investigated for the first time the potential cross-kingdom fungal-bacterial interactions using co-occurrence pattern correlation and network analysis. We discovered that exposure to FPF or Sulf alone or in combination with Azoxy fungicide influenced the co-existence patterns of fungal and bacterial communities. Significant differences in degree centrality, closeness centrality, and eigenvector centrality distribution indices were also found in single and double-treatment groups compared to controls. The effects of FPF and Sulf alone on cross-kingdom parameters (bacterial to fungal node ratio, degree of centrality, closeness centrality, and eigenvector centrality) were distinct, but this was reversed when they were combined with Azoxy fungicide. The fungal and bacterial hub taxa identified differed, with only a few shared hubs across treatments, suggesting microbial cross-kingdom networks may be disrupted differently under different stressors. Our findings add to our understanding of pesticide effects on the bee gut microbiome and bee health in general, while also emphasizing the importance of cross-kingdom network analysis in future microbiome research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yahya Al Naggar
- Department of Community Ecology, UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Theodor-Lieser-Str. 4, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt.
| | - Tesfaye Wubet
- Department of Community Ecology, UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Theodor-Lieser-Str. 4, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstrasse 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
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Villabona N, Moran N, Hammer T, Reyes A. Conserved, yet disruption-prone, gut microbiomes in neotropical bumblebees. mSphere 2023; 8:e0013923. [PMID: 37855643 PMCID: PMC10732019 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00139-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Social bees are an important model for the ecology and evolution of gut microbiomes. These bees harbor ancient, specific, and beneficial gut microbiomes and are crucial pollinators. However, most of the research has concentrated on managed honeybees and bumblebees in the temperate zone. Here we used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to characterize gut microbiomes in wild neotropical bumblebee communities from Colombia. We also analyzed drivers of microbiome structure across our data and previously published data from temperate bumblebees. Our results show that lineages of neotropical bumblebees not only retained their ancient gut bacterial symbionts during dispersal from North America but also are prone to major disruption, a shift that is strongly associated with parasite infection. Finally, we also found that microbiomes are much more strongly structured by host phylogeny than by geography, despite the very different environmental conditions and plant communities in the two regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nickole Villabona
- Research Group on Computational Biology and Microbial Ecology, Max Planck Tandem Group in Computational Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Nancy Moran
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Tobin Hammer
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Alejandro Reyes
- Research Group on Computational Biology and Microbial Ecology, Max Planck Tandem Group in Computational Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
- The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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