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Donald ML, Galbraith JA, Erastova DA, Podolyan A, Miller TEX, Dhami MK. Nectar resources affect bird-dispersed microbial metacommunities in suburban and rural gardens. Environ Microbiol 2022; 24:5654-5665. [PMID: 36102191 PMCID: PMC10087401 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
As cities expand, understanding how urbanization affects biodiversity is a key ecological goal. Yet, little is known about how host-associated microbial diversity responds to urbanization. We asked whether communities of microbial (bacterial and fungal) in floral nectar and sugar-water feeders and vectored by nectar-feeding birds-thus forming a metacommunity-differed in composition and diversity between suburban and rural gardens. Compared to rural birds, we found that suburban birds vectored different and more diverse bacterial communities. These differences were not detected in the nectar of common plant species, suggesting that nectar filters microbial taxa and results in metacommunity convergence. However, when considering all the nectar sources present, suburban beta diversity was elevated compared to rural beta diversity due to turnover of bacterial taxa across a plant species and sugar-water feeders. While fungal metacommunity composition and beta diversity in nectar were similar between suburban and rural sites, alpha diversity was elevated in suburban sites, which mirrored the trend of increased fungal alpha diversity on birds. These results emphasize the interdependence of host, vector, and microbial diversity and demonstrate that human decisions can shape nectar microbial diversity in contrasting ways for bacteria and fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion L Donald
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA.,Biocontrol & Molecular Ecology, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Lincoln, New Zealand
| | - Josie A Galbraith
- Department of Natural Sciences, Auckland Museum, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Daria A Erastova
- School of Biological Science, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Anastasija Podolyan
- Biocontrol & Molecular Ecology, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Lincoln, New Zealand
| | - Tom E X Miller
- Program in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Manpreet K Dhami
- Biocontrol & Molecular Ecology, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Lincoln, New Zealand
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2
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Fenner ED, Scapini T, da Costa Diniz M, Giehl A, Treichel H, Álvarez-Pérez S, Alves SL. Nature's Most Fruitful Threesome: The Relationship between Yeasts, Insects, and Angiosperms. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:984. [PMID: 36294549 PMCID: PMC9605484 DOI: 10.3390/jof8100984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The importance of insects for angiosperm pollination is widely recognized. In fact, approximately 90% of all plant species benefit from animal-mediated pollination. However, only recently, a third part player in this story has been properly acknowledged. Microorganisms inhabiting floral nectar, among which yeasts have a prominent role, can ferment glucose, fructose, sucrose, and/or other carbon sources in this habitat. As a result of their metabolism, nectar yeasts produce diverse volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other valuable metabolites. Notably, some VOCs of yeast origin can influence insects' foraging behavior, e.g., by attracting them to flowers (although repelling effects have also been reported). Moreover, when insects feed on nectar, they also ingest yeast cells, which provide them with nutrients and protect them from pathogenic microorganisms. In return, insects serve yeasts as transportation and a safer habitat during winter when floral nectar is absent. From the plant's point of view, the result is flowers being pollinated. From humanity's perspective, this ecological relationship may also be highly profitable. Therefore, prospecting nectar-inhabiting yeasts for VOC production is of major biotechnological interest. Substances such as acetaldehyde, ethyl acetate, ethyl butyrate, and isobutanol have been reported in yeast volatomes, and they account for a global market of approximately USD 15 billion. In this scenario, the present review addresses the ecological, environmental, and biotechnological outlooks of this three-party mutualism, aiming to encourage researchers worldwide to dig into this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo D. Fenner
- Graduate Program in Environment and Sustainable Technologies, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Campus Cerro Largo, Cerro Largo 97900-000, RS, Brazil
- Laboratory of Yeast Biochemistry, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Campus Chapecó, Chapecó 89815-899, SC, Brazil
| | - Thamarys Scapini
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Bioprocesses, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Campus Erechim, Erechim 99700-970, RS, Brazil
| | - Mariana da Costa Diniz
- Laboratory of Yeast Biochemistry, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Campus Chapecó, Chapecó 89815-899, SC, Brazil
| | - Anderson Giehl
- Laboratory of Yeast Biochemistry, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Campus Chapecó, Chapecó 89815-899, SC, Brazil
| | - Helen Treichel
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Bioprocesses, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Campus Erechim, Erechim 99700-970, RS, Brazil
| | - Sergio Álvarez-Pérez
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sérgio L. Alves
- Graduate Program in Environment and Sustainable Technologies, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Campus Cerro Largo, Cerro Largo 97900-000, RS, Brazil
- Laboratory of Yeast Biochemistry, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Campus Chapecó, Chapecó 89815-899, SC, Brazil
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3
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Morales-Poole JR, de Vega C, Tsuji K, Jacquemyn H, Junker RR, Herrera CM, Michiels C, Lievens B, Álvarez-Pérez S. Sugar Concentration, Nitrogen Availability, and Phylogenetic Factors Determine the Ability of Acinetobacter spp. and Rosenbergiella spp. to Grow in Floral Nectar. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2022:10.1007/s00248-022-02088-4. [PMID: 35930073 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-022-02088-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The floral nectar of angiosperms harbors a variety of microorganisms that depend predominantly on animal visitors for their dispersal. Although some members of the genus Acinetobacter and all currently known species of Rosenbergiella are thought to be adapted to thrive in nectar, there is limited information about the response of these bacteria to variation in the chemical characteristics of floral nectar. We investigated the growth performance of a diverse collection of Acinetobacter (n = 43) and Rosenbergiella (n = 45) isolates obtained from floral nectar and the digestive tract of flower-visiting bees in a set of 12 artificial nectars differing in sugar content (15% w/v or 50% w/v), nitrogen content (3.48/1.67 ppm or 348/167 ppm of total nitrogen/amino nitrogen), and sugar composition (only sucrose, 1/3 sucrose + 1/3 glucose + 1/3 fructose, or 1/2 glucose + 1/2 fructose). Growth was only observed in four of the 12 artificial nectars. Those containing elevated sugar concentration (50% w/v) and low nitrogen content (3.48/1.67 ppm) were limiting for bacterial growth. Furthermore, phylogenetic analyses revealed that the ability of the bacteria to grow in different types of nectar is highly conserved between closely related isolates and genotypes, but this conservatism rapidly vanishes deeper in phylogeny. Overall, these results demonstrate that the ability of Acinetobacter spp. and Rosenbergiella spp. to grow in floral nectar largely depends on nectar chemistry and bacterial phylogeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- José R Morales-Poole
- Department of Animal Health, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Clara de Vega
- Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012, Seville, Spain
| | - Kaoru Tsuji
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, Hyogo, 657-8501, Japan
| | - Hans Jacquemyn
- Laboratory of Plant Conservation and Population Biology, Biology Department, KU Leuven, B-3001, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Robert R Junker
- Evolutionary Ecology of Plants, Department of Biology, Philipps-University Marburg, 35043, Marburg, Germany
- Department of Biosciences, University Salzburg, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | | | - Chris Michiels
- Laboratory of Food Microbiology, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, B-3001, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Bart Lievens
- Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology and Bioinspirational Management (PME&BIM), Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, B-3001, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Sergio Álvarez-Pérez
- Department of Animal Health, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
- Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology and Bioinspirational Management (PME&BIM), Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, B-3001, Heverlee, Belgium.
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Martin VN, Schaeffer RN, Fukami T. Potential effects of nectar microbes on pollinator health. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2022; 377:20210155. [PMID: 35491594 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2021.0155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Floral nectar is prone to colonization by nectar-adapted yeasts and bacteria via air-, rain-, and animal-mediated dispersal. Upon colonization, microbes can modify nectar chemical constituents that are plant-provisioned or impart their own through secretion of metabolic by-products or antibiotics into the nectar environment. Such modifications can have consequences for pollinator perception of nectar quality, as microbial metabolism can leave a distinct imprint on olfactory and gustatory cues that inform foraging decisions. Furthermore, direct interactions between pollinators and nectar microbes, as well as consumption of modified nectar, have the potential to affect pollinator health both positively and negatively. Here, we discuss and integrate recent findings from research on plant-microbe-pollinator interactions and their consequences for pollinator health. We then explore future avenues of research that could shed light on the myriad ways in which nectar microbes can affect pollinator health, including the taxonomic diversity of vertebrate and invertebrate pollinators that rely on this reward. This article is part of the theme issue 'Natural processes influencing pollinator health: from chemistry to landscapes'.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tadashi Fukami
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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Christensen SM, Munkres I, Vannette RL. Nectar bacteria stimulate pollen germination and bursting to enhance microbial fitness. Curr Biol 2021; 31:4373-4380.e6. [PMID: 34324834 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Many organisms consume pollen, yet mechanisms of its digestion remain a fundamental enigma in pollination biology,1-3 as pollen is protected by a recalcitrant outer shell.4-8 Pollen is commonly found in floral nectar,9,10 as are nectar microbes, which are nearly ubiquitous among flowers.11-13 Nectar specialist bacteria, like Acinetobacter, can reach high densities (up to 109 cells/mL), despite the fact that floral nectar is nitrogen poor.14-17 Here, we show evidence that the genus Acinetobacter, prevalent nectar- and bee-associated bacteria,12,18-20 can induce pollen germination and bursting, gain access to protoplasm nutrients, and thereby grow to higher densities. Although induced germination had been suggested as a potential method in macroscopic pollen consumers,2,21-23 and fungal inhibition of pollen germination has been shown,24-27 direct biological induction of germination has not been empirically documented outside of plants.28-32Acinetobacter pollinis SCC47719 induced over 5× greater pollen germination and 20× greater pollen bursting than that of uninoculated pollen by 45 min. When provided with germinable pollen, A. pollinis stimulates protein release and grows to nearly twice the density compared to growth with ungerminable pollen, indicating that stimulation of germination benefits bacterial fitness. In contrast, a common nectar-inhabiting yeast (Metschnikowia)33 neither induced nor benefited from pollen germination. We conclude that Acinetobacter both specifically causes and benefits from inducing pollen germination and bursting. Further study of microbe-pollen interactions may inform many aspects of pollination ecology, including floral microbial ecology,34,35 pollinator nutrient acquisition from pollen,2,3,21,36 and cues of pollen germination for plant reproduction.37-39.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn M Christensen
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
| | - Ivan Munkres
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Rachel L Vannette
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
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Ourry M, Crosland A, Lopez V, Derocles SAP, Mougel C, Cortesero AM, Poinsot D. Influential Insider: Wolbachia, an Intracellular Symbiont, Manipulates Bacterial Diversity in Its Insect Host. Microorganisms 2021; 9:1313. [PMID: 34208681 PMCID: PMC8234596 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9061313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Facultative intracellular symbionts like the α-proteobacteria Wolbachia influence their insect host phenotype but little is known about how much they affect their host microbiota. Here, we quantified the impact of Wolbachia infection on the bacterial community of the cabbage root fly Delia radicum by comparing the microbiota of Wolbachia-free and infected adult flies of both sexes. We used high-throughput DNA sequencing (Illumina MiSeq, 16S rRNA, V5-V7 region) and performed a community and a network analysis. In both sexes, Wolbachia infection significantly decreased the diversity of D. radicum bacterial communities and modified their structure and composition by reducing abundance in some taxa but increasing it in others. Infection by Wolbachia was negatively correlated to 8 bacteria genera (Erwinia was the most impacted), and positively correlated to Providencia and Serratia. We suggest that Wolbachia might antagonize Erwinia for being entomopathogenic (and potentially intracellular), but would favor Providencia and Serratia because they might protect the host against chemical plant defenses. Although they might seem prisoners in a cell, endocellular symbionts can impact the whole microbiota of their host, hence its extended phenotype, which provides them with a way to interact with the outside world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgane Ourry
- Institut de Génétique, Environnement et Protection des Plantes (IGEPP), INRAE, Agrocampus Ouest, Université de Rennes, F-35650 Le Rheu, France;
| | - Agathe Crosland
- Institut de Génétique, Environnement et Protection des Plantes (IGEPP), INRAE, Agrocampus Ouest, Université de Rennes, F-35000 Rennes, France; (A.C.); (V.L.); (S.A.P.D.); (A.-M.C.); (D.P.)
| | - Valérie Lopez
- Institut de Génétique, Environnement et Protection des Plantes (IGEPP), INRAE, Agrocampus Ouest, Université de Rennes, F-35000 Rennes, France; (A.C.); (V.L.); (S.A.P.D.); (A.-M.C.); (D.P.)
| | - Stéphane A. P. Derocles
- Institut de Génétique, Environnement et Protection des Plantes (IGEPP), INRAE, Agrocampus Ouest, Université de Rennes, F-35000 Rennes, France; (A.C.); (V.L.); (S.A.P.D.); (A.-M.C.); (D.P.)
| | - Christophe Mougel
- Institut de Génétique, Environnement et Protection des Plantes (IGEPP), INRAE, Agrocampus Ouest, Université de Rennes, F-35650 Le Rheu, France;
| | - Anne-Marie Cortesero
- Institut de Génétique, Environnement et Protection des Plantes (IGEPP), INRAE, Agrocampus Ouest, Université de Rennes, F-35000 Rennes, France; (A.C.); (V.L.); (S.A.P.D.); (A.-M.C.); (D.P.)
| | - Denis Poinsot
- Institut de Génétique, Environnement et Protection des Plantes (IGEPP), INRAE, Agrocampus Ouest, Université de Rennes, F-35000 Rennes, France; (A.C.); (V.L.); (S.A.P.D.); (A.-M.C.); (D.P.)
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Colda A, Bossaert S, Verreth C, Vanhoutte B, Honnay O, Keulemans W, Lievens B. Inoculation of pear flowers with Metschnikowia reukaufii and Acinetobacter nectaris enhances attraction of honeybees and hoverflies, but does not increase fruit and seed set. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0250203. [PMID: 33886638 PMCID: PMC8061982 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, one of the most important challenges is to provide sufficient and affordable food and energy for a fast-growing world population, alongside preserving natural habitats and maintaining biodiversity. About 35% of the global food production depends on animals for pollination. In recent years, an alarming worldwide decline in pollinators has been reported, putting our food production under additional pressure. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find sustainable ways to ensure this crucial ecosystem service. Recent studies have shown that floral nectar is generally colonized by microorganisms, specifically yeasts and bacteria, which may alter nectar chemistry and enhance attraction of pollinators. In this study, we investigated changes in pollinator foraging behavior and pollination success in European pear (Pyrus communis L.) cultivars 'Regal Red' and 'Sweet Sensation' (red sports of 'Doyenné de Comice') after flower inoculation with the typical nectar-inhabiting microorganisms Metschnikowia reukaufii and Acinetobacter nectaris, and a combination of both. Pollination success was monitored by measuring the number of flower visits, fruit set and seed set in two consecutive years, 2019 and 2020. Results revealed that application of a mixture of M. reukaufii and A. nectaris resulted in significantly higher visitation rates of honeybees and hoverflies. By contrast, no effects on flower visits were found when yeasts and bacteria were applied separately. Fruit set and seed set were not significantly affected by any of the inoculation treatments. The only factors affecting fruit set were initial number of flower clusters on the trees and the year. The absence of treatment effects can most likely be attributed to the fact that pollination was not a limiting factor for fruit set in our experiments. Altogether, our results show that inoculation of flowers with nectar microbes can modify pollinator foraging patterns, but did not lead to increased pollination success under the conditions tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agneta Colda
- Division of Crop Biotechnics, Laboratory for Fruit Breeding and Biotechnology, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sofie Bossaert
- Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology and Bioinspirational Management, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, Center of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Christel Verreth
- Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology and Bioinspirational Management, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, Center of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart Vanhoutte
- Research Center for Fruit Growing, Sint-Truiden, Belgium
| | - Olivier Honnay
- Division of Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Conservation, Department of Biology, Plant Conservation and Population Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Wannes Keulemans
- Division of Crop Biotechnics, Laboratory for Fruit Breeding and Biotechnology, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart Lievens
- Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology and Bioinspirational Management, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, Center of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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