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Lee CC, Hsu HW, Lin CY, Gustafson N, Matsuura K, Lee CY, Yang CCS. First Polycipivirus and Unmapped RNA Virus Diversity in the Yellow Crazy Ant, Anoplolepis gracilipes. Viruses 2022; 14:v14102161. [PMID: 36298716 PMCID: PMC9612232 DOI: 10.3390/v14102161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The yellow crazy ant, Anoplolepis gracilipes is a widespread invasive ant that poses significant threats to local biodiversity. Yet, compared to other global invasive ant species such as the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) or the Argentine ant (Linepithema humile), little is known about the diversity of RNA viruses in the yellow crazy ant. In the current study, we generated a transcriptomic database for A. gracilipes using a high throughput sequencing approach to identify new RNA viruses and characterize their genomes. Four virus species assigned to Dicistroviridae, two to Iflaviridae, one to Polycipiviridae, and two unclassified Riboviria viruses were identified. Detailed genomic characterization was carried out on the polycipivirus and revealed that this virus comprises 11,644 nucleotides with six open reading frames. Phylogenetic analysis and pairwise amino acid identity comparison classified this virus into the genus Sopolycivirus under Polycipiviridae, which is tentatively named "Anoplolepis gracilipes virus 3 (AgrV-3)". Evolutionary analysis showed that AgrV-3 possesses a high level of genetic diversity and elevated mutation rate, combined with the common presence of multiple viral strains within single worker individuals, suggesting AgrV-3 likely evolves following the quasispecies model. A subsequent field survey placed the viral pathogen "hotspot" of A. gracilipes in the Southeast Asian region, a pattern consistent with the region being recognized as part of the ant's native range. Lastly, infection of multiple virus species seems prevalent across field colonies and may have been linked to the ant's social organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Chi Lee
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 6068502, Japan
- Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere, Kyoto University, Kyoto 6110011, Japan
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Hung-Wei Hsu
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 6068502, Japan
- Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere, Kyoto University, Kyoto 6110011, Japan
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Yi Lin
- Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere, Kyoto University, Kyoto 6110011, Japan
- Citrus Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, FL 33850, USA
| | - Nicolas Gustafson
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Kenji Matsuura
- Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 6068502, Japan
| | - Chow-Yang Lee
- Department of Entomology, University of California, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Chin-Cheng Scotty Yang
- Department of Entomology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-540-231-3052
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Lee CY, Yang CCS. Biology, Ecology, and Management of the Invasive Longlegged Ant, Anoplolepis gracilipes. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 67:43-63. [PMID: 34587457 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ento-033121-102332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The longlegged ant (Anoplolepis gracilipes) is one of the most damaging invasive tramp ants globally. It is generally found between latitudes 27°N and 27°S in Asia, although it has been introduced to other continents. Its native range remains debatable, but it is believed to be in Southeast Asia. Anoplolepis gracilipes invasion has many serious ecological consequences, especially for native invertebrate, vertebrate, and plant communities, altering ecosystem dynamics and functions. We examine and synthesize the literature about this species' origin and distribution, impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems, biology and ecology, chemical control, and potential biocontrol agents. We highlight emerging research needs on the origin and invasion history of this species, its reproductive mode, its relationship with myrmecophiles, and its host-microbial interactions, and we discuss future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chow-Yang Lee
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, USA;
| | - Chin-Cheng Scotty Yang
- Department of Entomology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA;
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Lu Q, Xiao L, Cheng C, Lu Z, Zhao J, Yao M. Snow Leopard Dietary Preferences and Livestock Predation Revealed by Fecal DNA Metabarcoding: No Evidence for Apparent Competition Between Wild and Domestic Prey. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.783546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Accurate assessments of the patterns and drivers of livestock depredation by wild carnivores are vital for designing effective mitigation strategies to reduce human-wildlife conflict. Snow leopard’s (Panthera uncia) range extensively overlaps pastoralist land-use and livestock predation there is widely reported, but the ecological determinants of livestock consumption by snow leopards remain obscure. We investigated snow leopard dietary habits at seven sites across the Sanjiangyuan region of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau (QTP), an area central to the species’ global range. Snow leopard abundance, wild prey composition, and livestock density varied among those sites, thus allowing us to test the effects of various factors on snow leopard diet and livestock predation. Using DNA metabarcoding, we obtained highly resolved dietary data from 351 genetically verified snow leopard fecal samples. We then analyzed the prey preferences of snow leopards and examined ecological factors related to their livestock consumption. Across the sites, snow leopard prey was composed mainly of wild ungulates (mean = 81.5% of dietary sequences), particularly bharal (Pseudois nayaur), and supplemented with livestock (7.62%) and smaller mammals (marmots, pikas, mice; 10.7%). Snow leopards showed a strong preference for bharal, relative to livestock, based on their densities. Interestingly, both proportional and total livestock consumption by snow leopards increased linearly with local livestock biomass, but not with livestock density. That, together with a slight negative relationship with bharal density, supports apparent facilitation between wild and domestic prey. We also found a significant positive correlation between population densities of snow leopard and bharal, yet those densities showed slight negative relationships with livestock density. Our results highlight the importance of sufficient wild ungulate abundance to the conservation of viable snow leopard populations. Additionally, livestock protection is critically needed to reduce losses to snow leopard depredation, especially where local livestock abundances are high.
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Yang LH, Postema EG, Hayes TE, Lippey MK, MacArthur-Waltz DJ. The complexity of global change and its effects on insects. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2021; 47:90-102. [PMID: 34004376 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2021.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Global change includes multiple overlapping and interacting drivers: 1) climate change, 2) land use change, 3) novel chemicals, and 4) the increased global transport of organisms. Recent studies have documented the complex and counterintuitive effects of these drivers on the behavior, life histories, distributions, and abundances of insects. This complexity arises from the indeterminacy of indirect, non-additive and combined effects. While there is wide consensus that global change is reorganizing communities, the available data are limited. As the pace of anthropogenic changes outstrips our ability to document its impacts, ongoing change may lead to increasingly unpredictable outcomes. This complexity and uncertainty argue for renewed efforts to address the fundamental drivers of global change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louie H Yang
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 USA.
| | - Elizabeth G Postema
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 USA; Animal Behavior Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Tracie E Hayes
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 USA; Population Biology Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Mia K Lippey
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 USA; Entomology Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Dylan J MacArthur-Waltz
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 USA; Population Biology Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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Lindström S, Timonen S, Sundström L. The bacterial and fungal community composition in time and space in the nest mounds of the ant Formica exsecta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Microbiologyopen 2021; 10:e1201. [PMID: 34459553 PMCID: PMC8289489 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.1201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
In a subarctic climate, the seasonal shifts in temperature, precipitation, and plant cover drive the temporal changes in the microbial communities in the topsoil, forcing soil microbes to adapt or decline. Many organisms, such as mound-building ants, survive the cold winter owing to the favorable microclimate in their nest mounds. We have previously shown that the microbial communities in the nest of the ant Formica exsecta are significantly different from those in the surrounding bulk soil. In the current study, we identified taxa, which were consistently present in the nests over a study period of three years. Some taxa were also significantly enriched in the nest samples compared with spatially corresponding reference soils. We show that the bacterial communities in ant nests are temporally stable across years, whereas the fungal communities show greater variation. It seems that the activities of the ants contribute to unique biochemical processes in the secluded nest environment, and create opportunities for symbiotic interactions between the ants and the microbes. Over time, the microbial communities may come to diverge, due to drift and selection, especially given the long lifespan (up to 30 years) of the ant colonies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stafva Lindström
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research ProgrammeFaculty of Biological and Environmental SciencesUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
- Tvärminne Zoological StationHankoFinland
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Sari Timonen
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Liselotte Sundström
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research ProgrammeFaculty of Biological and Environmental SciencesUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
- Tvärminne Zoological StationHankoFinland
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Santos B, Bletz MC, Sabino-Pinto J, Cocca W, Fidy JFS, Freeman KL, Kuenzel S, Ndriantsoa S, Noel J, Rakotonanahary T, Vences M, Crottini A. Characterization of the microbiome of the invasive Asian toad in Madagascar across the expansion range and comparison with a native co-occurring species. PeerJ 2021; 9:e11532. [PMID: 34249488 PMCID: PMC8247705 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological invasions are on the rise, with each invader carrying a plethora of associated microbes. These microbes play important, yet poorly understood, ecological roles that can include assisting the hosts in colonization and adaptation processes or as possible pathogens. Understanding how these communities differ in an invasion scenario may help to understand the host's resilience and adaptability. The Asian common toad, Duttaphrynus melanostictus is an invasive amphibian, which has recently established in Madagascar and is expected to pose numerous threats to the native ecosystems. We characterized the skin and gut bacterial communities of D. melanostictus in Toamasina (Eastern Madagascar), and compared them to those of a co-occurring native frog species, Ptychadena mascareniensis, at three sites where the toad arrived in different years. Microbial composition did not vary among sites, showing that D. melanostictus keeps a stable community across its expansion but significant differences were observed between these two amphibians. Moreover, D. melanostictus had richer and more diverse communities and also harboured a high percentage of total unique taxa (skin: 80%; gut: 52%). These differences may reflect the combination of multiple host-associated factors including microhabitat selection, skin features and dietary preferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara Santos
- Cibio, Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBio, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, Portugal, Porto, Portugal
| | - Molly C Bletz
- Department of Biology, University of Massachussetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joana Sabino-Pinto
- Zoological Institute, Braunschweig University of Technology, Mendelssohnstr. 4, Germany, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Walter Cocca
- Cibio, Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBio, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, Portugal, Porto, Portugal
| | | | - Karen Lm Freeman
- Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group, BP 442, 501 Toamasina, Madagascar, Toamasina, Madagascar
| | - Sven Kuenzel
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, August-Thienemann-Str. 2, Germany, Plön, Germany
| | - Serge Ndriantsoa
- Amphibian Survival Alliance c/o Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Madagascar Programme, Lot II Y 49 J 12 Ampasanimalo, BP 8511 101 Antananarivo, Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Jean Noel
- Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group, BP 442, 501 Toamasina, Madagascar, Toamasina, Madagascar
| | - Tsanta Rakotonanahary
- Amphibian Survival Alliance c/o Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Madagascar Programme, Lot II Y 49 J 12 Ampasanimalo, BP 8511 101 Antananarivo, Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Miguel Vences
- Zoological Institute, Braunschweig University of Technology, Mendelssohnstr. 4, Germany, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Angelica Crottini
- Cibio, Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBio, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, Portugal, Porto, Portugal
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Kaczmarczyk-Ziemba A, Zagaja M, Wagner GK, Pietrykowska-Tudruj E, Staniec B. The microbiota of the Lasius fuliginosus – Pella laticollis myrmecophilous interaction. THE EUROPEAN ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/24750263.2020.1844322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- A. Kaczmarczyk-Ziemba
- Department of Genetics and Biosystematics, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - M. Zagaja
- Isobolographic Analysis Laboratory, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
| | - G. K. Wagner
- Department of Zoology and Nature Protection, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Lublin, Poland
| | - E. Pietrykowska-Tudruj
- Department of Zoology and Nature Protection, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Lublin, Poland
| | - B. Staniec
- Department of Zoology and Nature Protection, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Lublin, Poland
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Rassati D, Marini L, Malacrinò A. Acquisition of fungi from the environment modifies ambrosia beetle mycobiome during invasion. PeerJ 2019; 7:e8103. [PMID: 31763076 PMCID: PMC6870512 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbial symbionts can play critical roles when their host attempts to colonize a new habitat. The lack of symbiont adaptation can in fact hinder the invasion process of their host. This scenario could change if the exotic species are able to acquire microorganisms from the invaded environment. Understanding the ecological factors that influence the take-up of new microorganisms is thus essential to clarify the mechanisms behind biological invasions. In this study, we tested whether different forest habitats influence the structure of the fungal communities associated with ambrosia beetles. We collected individuals of the most widespread exotic (Xylosandrus germanus) and native (Xyleborinus saxesenii) ambrosia beetle species in Europe in several old-growth and restored forests. We characterized the fungal communities associated with both species via metabarcoding. We showed that forest habitat shaped the community of fungi associated with both species, but the effect was stronger for the exotic X. germanus. Our results support the hypothesis that the direct contact with the mycobiome of the invaded environment might lead an exotic species to acquire native fungi. This process is likely favored by the occurrence of a bottleneck effect at the mycobiome level and/or the disruption of the mechanisms sustaining co-evolved insect-fungi symbiosis. Our study contributes to the understanding of the factors affecting insect-microbes interactions, helping to clarify the mechanisms behind biological invasions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Rassati
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Marini
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Antonino Malacrinò
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America
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Felden A, Paris C, Chapple DG, Suarez AV, Tsutsui ND, Lester PJ, Gruber MAM. Native and introduced Argentine ant populations are characterised by distinct transcriptomic signatures associated with behaviour and immunity. NEOBIOTA 2019. [DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.49.36086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Biological invasions can be influenced by trait variation in the invader, such as behavioural traits and ecological factors, such as variation in pathogen pressure. High-throughput nucleotide sequencing has increased our capacity to investigate the genomic basis of the functional changes associated with biological invasions. Here, we used RNA-sequencing in Argentina and California, Australia and New Zealand to investigate if native and introduced Argentine ant populations were characterised by distinct transcriptomic signatures. We focused our analysis on viral pressure and immunity, as well as genes associated with biogenic amines known to modulate key behaviour in social insects. Using a combination of differential expression analysis, gene co-expression network analysis and candidate gene approach, we show that native and introduced populations have distinct transcriptomic signatures. Genes associated with biogenic amines were overall up-regulated in the native range compared to introduced populations. Although we found no significant variation in overall viral loads amongst regions for viruses known to infect Argentine ants, viral diversity was lower in most of the introduced range which was interestingly associated with down-regulation of the RNAi immune pathway, primarily directed against viruses. Altogether, our data show that Argentine ant populations exhibit range-specific transcriptomic signatures, perhaps reflecting regional adaptations that may contribute to the ecological success of introduced populations.
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Lester PJ, Buick KH, Baty JW, Felden A, Haywood J. Different bacterial and viral pathogens trigger distinct immune responses in a globally invasive ant. Sci Rep 2019; 9:5780. [PMID: 30962470 PMCID: PMC6453929 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-41843-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive species populations periodically collapse from high to low abundance, sometimes even to extinction. Pathogens and the burden they place on invader immune systems have been hypothesised as a mechanism for these collapses. We examined the association of the bacterial pathogen (Pseudomonas spp.) and the viral community with immune gene expression in the globally invasive Argentine ant (Linepithema humile (Mayr)). RNA-seq analysis found evidence for 17 different viruses in Argentine ants from New Zealand, including three bacteriophages with one (Pseudomonas phage PS-1) likely to be attacking the bacterial host. Pathogen loads and prevalence varied immensely. Transcriptomic data showed that immune gene expression was consistent with respect to the viral classification of negative-sense, positive-sense and double-stranded RNA viruses. Genes that were the most strongly associated with the positive-sense RNA viruses such as the Linepithema humile virus 1 (LHUV-1) and the Deformed wing virus (DWV) were peptide recognition proteins assigned to the Toll and Imd pathways. We then used principal components analysis and regression modelling to determine how RT-qPCR derived immune gene expression levels were associated with viral and bacterial loads. Argentine ants mounted a substantial immune response to both Pseudomonas and LHUV-1 infections, involving almost all immune pathways. Other viruses including DWV and the Kashmir bee virus appeared to have much less immunological influence. Different pathogens were associated with varying immunological responses, which we hypothesize to interact with and influence the invasion dynamics of this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip J Lester
- Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, 6012, New Zealand.
| | - Kaitlin H Buick
- Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, 6012, New Zealand
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, PO Box 7060, Wellington, 6242, New Zealand
| | - James W Baty
- Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, 6012, New Zealand
| | - Antoine Felden
- Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, 6012, New Zealand
| | - John Haywood
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, 6012, New Zealand
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Teseo S, van Zweden JS, Pontieri L, Kooij PW, Sørensen SJ, Wenseleers T, Poulsen M, Boomsma JJ, Sapountzis P. The scent of symbiosis: gut bacteria may affect social interactions in leaf-cutting ants. Anim Behav 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2018.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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12
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Microbial Community Composition Reveals Spatial Variation and Distinctive Core Microbiome of the Weaver Ant Oecophylla smaragdina in Malaysia. Sci Rep 2018; 8:10777. [PMID: 30018403 PMCID: PMC6050294 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-29159-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Accepted: 06/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The weaver ant Oecophylla smaragdina is an aggressive predator of other arthropods and has been employed as a biological control agent against many insect pests in plantations. Despite playing important roles in pest management, information about the microbiota of O. smaragdina is limited. In this work, a number of O. smaragdina colonies (n = 12) from Malaysia had been studied on their microbiome profile using Illumina 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. We characterized the core microbiota associated with these O. smaragdina and investigated variation between colonies from different environments. Across all 12 samples, 97.8% of the sequences were assigned to eight bacterial families and most communities were dominated by families Acetobacteraceae and Lactobacillaceae. Comparison among colonies revealed predominance of Acetobacteraceae in O. smaragdina from forest areas but reduced abundance was observed in colonies from urban areas. In addition, our findings also revealed distinctive community composition in O. smaragdina showing little taxonomic overlap with previously reported ant microbiota. In summary, our work provides information regarding microbiome of O. smaragdina which is essential for establishing healthy colonies. This study also forms the basis for further study on microbiome of O. smaragdina from other regions.
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Gruber MAM, Cooling M, Baty JW, Buckley K, Friedlander A, Quinn O, Russell JFEJ, Sébastien A, Lester PJ. Single-stranded RNA viruses infecting the invasive Argentine ant, Linepithema humile. Sci Rep 2017; 7:3304. [PMID: 28607437 PMCID: PMC5468335 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-03508-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Accepted: 04/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Social insects host a diversity of viruses. We examined New Zealand populations of the globally widely distributed invasive Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) for RNA viruses. We used metatranscriptomic analysis, which identified six potential novel viruses in the Dicistroviridae family. Of these, three contigs were confirmed by Sanger sequencing as Linepithema humile virus-1 (LHUV-1), a novel strain of Kashmir bee virus (KBV) and Black queen cell virus (BQCV), while the others were chimeric or misassembled sequences. We extended the known sequence of LHUV-1 to confirm its placement in the Dicistroviridae and categorised its relationship to closest relatives, which were all viruses infecting Hymenoptera. We examined further for known viruses by mapping our metatranscriptomic sequences to all viral genomes, and confirmed KBV, BQCV, LHUV-1 and Deformed wing virus (DWV) presence using qRT-PCR. Viral replication was confirmed for DWV, KBV and LHUV-1. Viral titers in ants were higher in the presence of honey bee hives. Argentine ants appear to host a range of' honey bee' pathogens in addition to a virus currently described only from this invasive ant. The role of these viruses in the population dynamics of the ant remain to be determined, but offer potential targets for biocontrol approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica A M Gruber
- Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand.
- Pacific Biosecurity, Victoria Link Limited, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 1762, Wellington, New Zealand.
| | - Meghan Cooling
- Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
- Pacific Biosecurity, Victoria Link Limited, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 1762, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - James W Baty
- Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, PO Box 7060, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Kevin Buckley
- School of Engineering and Computer Science, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Anna Friedlander
- School of Engineering and Computer Science, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Oliver Quinn
- Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Jessica F E J Russell
- Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Alexandra Sébastien
- Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Philip J Lester
- Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
- Pacific Biosecurity, Victoria Link Limited, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 1762, Wellington, New Zealand
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