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Ashbrook AR, Schwarz M, Schal C, Mikaelyan A. Lethal disruption of the bacterial gut community in Eastern subterranean termite caused by boric acid. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2024; 117:2599-2607. [PMID: 39401329 PMCID: PMC11682946 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toae221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2024] [Revised: 09/04/2024] [Accepted: 09/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/11/2025]
Abstract
The Eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae), is a significant pest, causing extensive damage to structures that amount to substantial economic losses. Boric acid is widely used for wood preservation due to its stability and broad-spectrum insecticidal properties, yet its impact on termite gut microbiomes and the implications of such effects remain understudied. Our study evaluates the dose-dependent mortality of R. flavipes upon being provided boric acid treated filter papers and investigates the resulting dysbiosis within the termite gut microbiome. Consistent with reports from other insects, mortality increased in a dose-dependent manner, with the highest boric acid concentration (203.7 µg/cm2 of filter paper) significantly reducing termite survival. 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the gut bacterial microbiome revealed notable shifts in composition, indicating boric acid-induced dysbiosis. Aside from an overall decrease in bacterial diversity, the relative abundance of some symbionts essential for termite nutrition decreased in response to higher boric acid concentrations, while several opportunistic pathogens increased. Our findings extend the understanding of boric acid's mode of action in termites, emphasizing its ability to significantly modulate the bacterial symbiont community, which can have dire effects on termite biology. Considering its ability to protect wood from further termite consumption, our study supports the continued use of boric acid and related compounds for termite-resistant treatments for wood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron R Ashbrook
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh NC, USA
- Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge LA, USA
| | - Melbert Schwarz
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh NC, USA
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh NC, USA
| | - Coby Schal
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh NC, USA
| | - Aram Mikaelyan
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh NC, USA
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Beza-Beza CF, Wiegmann BM, Ware JA, Petersen M, Gunter N, Cole ME, Schwarz M, Bertone MA, Young D, Mikaelyan A. Chewing through challenges: Exploring the evolutionary pathways to wood-feeding in insects. Bioessays 2024; 46:e2300241. [PMID: 38537113 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202300241] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Decaying wood, while an abundant and stable resource, presents considerable nutritional challenges due to its structural rigidity, chemical recalcitrance, and low nitrogen content. Despite these challenges, certain insect lineages have successfully evolved saproxylophagy (consuming and deriving sustenance from decaying wood), impacting nutrient recycling in ecosystems and carbon sequestration dynamics. This study explores the uneven phylogenetic distribution of saproxylophagy across insects and delves into the evolutionary origins of this trait in disparate insect orders. Employing a comprehensive analysis of gut microbiome data, from both saproxylophagous insects and their non-saproxylophagous relatives, including new data from unexplored wood-feeding insects, this Hypothesis paper discusses the broader phylogenetic context and potential adaptations necessary for this dietary specialization. The study proposes the "Detritivore-First Hypothesis," suggesting an evolutionary pathway to saproxylophagy through detritivory, and highlights the critical role of symbiotic gut microbiomes in the digestion of decaying wood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian F Beza-Beza
- Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Brian M Wiegmann
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jessica A Ware
- Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Matt Petersen
- Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Nicole Gunter
- Biodiversity and Geosciences Program, Queensland Museum, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Marissa E Cole
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Melbert Schwarz
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Matthew A Bertone
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Daniel Young
- Department of Entomology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Aram Mikaelyan
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
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Srivastava S, Dafale NA. Tailored microbial consortium producing hydrolytic enzyme cocktail for maximum saccharification of wheat straw. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2024; 399:130560. [PMID: 38460563 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.130560] [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: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
The potential of hydrolytic enzyme cocktail obtained from designed bacterial consortium WSh-1 comprising Bacillus subtilis CRN 16, Paenibacillus dendritiformis CRN 18, Niallia circulans CRN 24, Serratia marscens CRN 29, and Streptomyces sp. CRN 30, was investigated for maximum saccharification. Activity was further enhanced to 1.01 U/ml from 0.82 U/ml by supplementing growth medium with biotin and cellobiose as a cofactor and inducer. Through kinetic analysis, the enzyme cocktail showed a high wheat straw affinity with Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) of 0.68 µmol/L and a deconstruction rate (Vmax) of 4.5 U/ml/min. The statistical optimization of critical parameters increased saccharification to 89 %. The optimized process in a 5-L lab-scale bioreactor yielded 501 mg/g of reducing sugar from NaOH-pretreated wheat straw. Lastly, genomic insights revealed unique abundant oligosaccharide deconstruction enzymes with the most diverse CAZyme profile. The consortium-mediated enzyme cocktails offer broader versatility with efficiency for the economical and sustainable valorization of lignocellulosic waste.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shweta Srivastava
- Environmental Biotechnology and Genomics Division, CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur 440020, India; Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Nishant A Dafale
- Environmental Biotechnology and Genomics Division, CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur 440020, India; Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India.
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Lu Y, Chu S, Shi Z, You R, Chen H. Marked variations in diversity and functions of gut microbiota between wild and domestic stag beetle Dorcus Hopei Hopei. BMC Microbiol 2024; 24:24. [PMID: 38238710 PMCID: PMC10795464 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-023-03177-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although stag beetles are a popular saprophytic insect, their gut microbiome has been poorly studied. Here, 16 S rRNA gene sequencing was employed to reveal the gut microbiota composition and functional variations between wild and domestic Dorcus hopei hopei (Dhh) larval individuals. RESULTS The results indicated a significant difference between the wild and domestic Dhh gut microbiota., the domestic Dhh individuals contained more gut microbial taxa (e.g. genera Ralstonia and Methyloversatilis) with xenobiotic degrading functions. The wild Dhh possesses gut microbiota compositions (e.g. Turicibacter and Tyzzerella ) more appropriate for energy metabolism and potential growth. This study furthermore assigned all Dhh individuals by size into groups for data analysis; which indicated limited disparities between the gut microbiota of different-sized D. hopei hopei larvae. CONCLUSION The outcome of this study illustrated that there exists a significant discrepancy in gut microbiota composition between wild and domestic Dhh larvae. In addition, the assemblage of gut microbiome in Dhh was primarily attributed to environmental influences instead of individual differences such as developmental potential or size. These findings will provide a valuable theoretical foundation for the protection of wild saprophytic insects and the potential utilization of the insect-associated intestinal microbiome in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yikai Lu
- BASIS International School Hangzhou, Hangzhou, 310020, Zhejiang, China
| | - Siyuan Chu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Secondary Metabolism and Regulation of Zhejiang Province, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhiyuan Shi
- BASIS International School Hangzhou, Hangzhou, 310020, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ruobing You
- Key Laboratory of Plant Secondary Metabolism and Regulation of Zhejiang Province, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haimin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Plant Secondary Metabolism and Regulation of Zhejiang Province, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018, Zhejiang, China.
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Schwarz M, Tokuda G, Osaki H, Mikaelyan A. Reevaluating Symbiotic Digestion in Cockroaches: Unveiling the Hindgut's Contribution to Digestion in Wood-Feeding Panesthiinae (Blaberidae). INSECTS 2023; 14:768. [PMID: 37754736 PMCID: PMC10531843 DOI: 10.3390/insects14090768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Cockroaches of the subfamily Panesthiinae (family Blaberidae) are among the few major groups of insects feeding on decayed wood. Despite having independently evolved the ability to thrive on this recalcitrant and nitrogen-limited resource, they are among the least studied of all wood-feeding insect groups. In the pursuit of unraveling their unique digestive strategies, we explored cellulase and xylanase activity in the crop, midgut, and hindgut lumens of Panesthia angustipennis and Salganea taiwanensis. Employing Percoll density gradient centrifugation, we further fractionated luminal fluid to elucidate how the activities in the gut lumen are further partitioned. Our findings challenge conventional wisdom, underscoring the significant contribution of the hindgut, which accounts for approximately one-fifth of cellulase and xylanase activity. Particle-associated enzymes, potentially of bacterial origin, dominate hindgut digestion, akin to symbiotic strategies observed in select termites and passalid beetles. Our study sheds new light on the digestive prowess of panesthiine cockroaches, providing invaluable insights into the evolution of wood-feeding insects and their remarkable adaptability to challenging, nutrient-poor substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melbert Schwarz
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, 100 Derieux Place, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; (M.S.); (H.O.)
| | - Gaku Tokuda
- Center of Molecular Biosciences, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara-cho, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan;
| | - Haruka Osaki
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, 100 Derieux Place, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; (M.S.); (H.O.)
- Department of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Oiwake-cho, Kitashirakawa, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Aram Mikaelyan
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, 100 Derieux Place, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; (M.S.); (H.O.)
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Jácome-Hernández A, Lamelas A, Desgarennes D, Huerta C, Cruz-Rosales M, Favila ME. Influence of phylogenetic, environmental, and behavioral factors on the gut bacterial community structure of dung beetles (Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) in a Neotropical Biosphere Reserve. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1224601. [PMID: 37731932 PMCID: PMC10508338 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1224601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Gut bacteria help dung beetles metabolize nutrients contained and synthesize those unavailable in their food, depending on the ecological scenario in which they develop. However, less is known about the influence of environmental and behavioral factors on the taxonomic composition of bacterial gut communities in Scarabaeinae beetles. To address this research topic, we analyzed 13 tropical dung beetle species in the Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve, Mexico, to understand how the beetle tribe, habitat, food preference, food relocation, and parental care influence the composition of gut bacterial communities. We found that the beetle tribe is the primary factor impacting the taxonomic composition of gut bacterial communities. Among them, Deltochilini displayed the highest variability in diversity due to the different combinations of habitat and food preferences among its species. On the other hand, the other tribes studied did not exhibit such variable combinations. Habitat emerged as the second most influential factor, with forest-dwelling beetles displaying higher diversity. This can be attributed to the heterogeneous environments within tropical forests, which offer a greater diversity of food resources. In contrast, grassland beetles, living in more homogeneous environments and relying on cow feces as their main food source, exhibited lower diversity. Our findings suggest a correlation between bacterial diversity and food resource availability in complex habitats, such as tropical forests, which offer a wider array of food sources compared to simpler environments like grasslands.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Araceli Lamelas
- ADM-Biopolis, ADM, Parc Cientific Universitat de Valencia, Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Damaris Desgarennes
- Red de Biodiversidad y Sistemática, Instituto de Ecología A.C., Xalapa, Mexico
| | - Carmen Huerta
- Red de Ecoetología, Instituto de Ecología A. C., Xalapa, Mexico
| | | | - Mario E. Favila
- Red de Ecoetología, Instituto de Ecología A. C., Xalapa, Mexico
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