1
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Maccaro JJ, Figueroa LL, McFrederick QS. From pollen to putrid: Comparative metagenomics reveals how microbiomes support dietary specialization in vulture bees. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17421. [PMID: 38828760 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17421] [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: 01/21/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
For most animals, the microbiome is key for nutrition and pathogen defence, and is often shaped by diet. Corbiculate bees, including honey bees, bumble bees, and stingless bees, share a core microbiome that has been shaped, at least in part, by the challenges associated with pollen digestion. However, three species of stingless bees deviate from the general rule of bees obtaining their protein exclusively from pollen (obligate pollinivores) and instead consume carrion as their sole protein source (obligate necrophages) or consume both pollen and carrion (facultative necrophages). These three life histories can provide missing insights into microbiome evolution associated with extreme dietary transitions. Here, we investigate, via shotgun metagenomics, the functionality of the microbiome across three bee diet types: obligate pollinivory, obligate necrophagy, and facultative necrophagy. We find distinct differences in microbiome composition and gene functional profiles between the diet types. Obligate necrophages and pollinivores have more specialized microbes, whereas facultative necrophages have a diversity of environmental microbes associated with several dietary niches. Our study suggests that necrophagous bee microbiomes may have evolved to overcome cellular stress and microbial competition associated with carrion. We hypothesize that the microbiome evolved social phenotypes, such as biofilms, that protect the bees from opportunistic pathogens present on carcasses, allowing them to overcome novel nutritional challenges. Whether specific microbes enabled diet shifts or diet shifts occurred first and microbial evolution followed requires further research to disentangle. Nonetheless, we find that necrophagous microbiomes, vertebrate and invertebrate alike, have functional commonalities regardless of their taxonomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica J Maccaro
- Department of Entomology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, USA
| | - Laura L Figueroa
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Quinn S McFrederick
- Department of Entomology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, USA
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2
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Todorov SD, Alves MV, Bueno GCA, Alves VF, Ivanova IV. Bee-Associated Beneficial Microbes-Importance for Bees and for Humans. INSECTS 2024; 15:430. [PMID: 38921144 PMCID: PMC11204305 DOI: 10.3390/insects15060430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Bees are one of the best-known and, at the same time, perhaps the most enigmatic insects on our planet, known for their organization and social structure, being essential for the pollination of agricultural crops and several other plants, playing an essential role in food production and the balance of ecosystems, being associated with the production of high-value-added inputs, and a unique universe in relation to bees' microbiota. In this review, we summarize information regarding on different varieties of bees, with emphasis on their specificity related to microbial variations. Noteworthy are fructophilic bacteria, a lesser-known bacterial group, which use fructose fermentation as their main source of energy, with some strains being closely related to bees' health status. The beneficial properties of fructophilic bacteria may be extendable to humans and other animals as probiotics. In addition, their biotechnological potential may ease the development of new-generation antimicrobials with applications in biopreservation. The concept of "One Health" brings together fundamental and applied research with the aim of clarifying that the connections between the different components of ecosystems must be considered part of a mega-structure, with bees being an iconic example in that the healthy functionality of their microbiota is directly and indirectly related to agricultural production, bee health, quality of bee products, and the functional prosperity for humans and other animals. In fact, good health of bees is clearly related to the stable functionality of ecosystems and indirectly relates to humans' wellbeing, a concept of the "One Health".
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetoslav Dimitrov Todorov
- ProBacLab, Laboratório de Microbiologia de Alimentos, Departamento de Alimentos e Nutrição Experimental, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil
- CISAS-Center for Research and Development in Agrifood Systems and Sustainability, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal
| | - Marcos Vinício Alves
- ProBacLab, Laboratório de Microbiologia de Alimentos, Departamento de Alimentos e Nutrição Experimental, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Virgínia Farias Alves
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Goiânia 74605-170, GO, Brazil (V.F.A.)
| | - Iskra Vitanova Ivanova
- Department of General and Industrial Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, 8, Bul. Dragan Tzankov, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria;
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3
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Tejerina MR, Cabana MJ, Enríquez PA, Benítez-Ahrendts MR, Fonseca MI. Bacterial Strains Isolated from Stingless Bee Workers Inhibit the Growth of Apis mellifera Pathogens. Curr Microbiol 2024; 81:106. [PMID: 38418777 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-024-03618-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Apis mellifera bees are an important resource for the local economy of various regions in Argentina and the maintenance of natural ecosystems. In recent years, different alternatives have been investigated to avoid the reduction or loss of colonies caused by pathogens and parasites such as Ascosphaera apis, Aspergillus flavus, and Paenibacillus larvae. We focused on bacterial strains isolated from the intestine of native stingless bees, to elucidate their antagonistic effect on diseases of A. mellifera colonies. For this purpose, worker bees of the species Tetragonisca fiebrigi, Plebeia spp., and Scaptotrigona jujuyensis were captured from the entrance to tree hives and transported to the laboratory, where their intestines were extracted. Twenty bacterial colonies were isolated from the intestines, and those capable of inhibiting enterobacteria in vitro and producing organic acids, proteases, and chitinases were selected. Four genera, Levilactobacillus, Acetobacter, Lactiplantibacillus, and Pantoea, were selected and identified by the molecular marker that codes for the 16S rRNA gene. For inhibition assays, cell suspensions and cell-free suspensions were performed. All treatments showed significant antibacterial effects, in comparison with the controls, against P. larvae and antifungal effects against A. apis and A. flavus. However, the mechanisms by which these bacteria inhibit the growth of these pathogens were not studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Raúl Tejerina
- Cátedra de Microbiología, Sanidad Apícola y Meliponícola, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Jujuy, Alberdi 47, 4600, Jujuy, Argentina.
- Instituto de Ecorregiones Andinas (INECOA)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Avenida Bolivia 1239, San Salvador de Jujuy, Jujuy, Argentina.
| | - María José Cabana
- Cátedra de Microbiología, Sanidad Apícola y Meliponícola, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Jujuy, Alberdi 47, 4600, Jujuy, Argentina
| | - Pablo Adrián Enríquez
- Cátedra de Microbiología, Sanidad Apícola y Meliponícola, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Jujuy, Alberdi 47, 4600, Jujuy, Argentina
| | - Marcelo Rafael Benítez-Ahrendts
- Cátedra de Microbiología, Sanidad Apícola y Meliponícola, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Jujuy, Alberdi 47, 4600, Jujuy, Argentina
- Instituto de Ecorregiones Andinas (INECOA)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Avenida Bolivia 1239, San Salvador de Jujuy, Jujuy, Argentina
| | - María Isabel Fonseca
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales. Instituto de Biotecnología "Dra. María Ebe Reca" (INBIOMIS), Laboratorio de Biotecnología Molecular, Universidad Nacional de Misiones, Misiones, Argentina
- CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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4
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Mills TJT, Nelson TM, Pearson LA, Neilan BA. Hive Transplantation Has Minimal Impact on the Core Gut Microbiome of the Australian Stingless Bee, Tetragonula carbonaria. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2023; 86:2086-2096. [PMID: 37088849 PMCID: PMC10497653 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-023-02222-w] [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: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Bacteria residing in the guts of pollinating insects play a key role in nutrient acquisition, digestion, and resistance to pests and diseases. Imbalances in microbial flora in response to environmental change and stress can therefore impact insect health and resilience. This study is aimed at defining the core gut microbiome of the Australian native stingless bee, Tetragonula carbonaria, and exploring the impact of colony transplantation on gut health. The gut microbiomes of nine forager bees from natural (log) and manufactured (box) hives were examined via 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Some differences were observed at the ASV level between the microbiomes of log and box hive bees. However, a core microbiome, dominated by Lactobacillus spp., unclassified Acetobacteraceae spp., and Bombella spp., was maintained. Further, the inferred functional potential of the microbiomes was consistent across all individuals. This study highlights that although hive transplantation has an impact on the overall diversity of stingless bee gut microbiomes, it is unlikely to have a significant negative impact on the overall health and resilience of the colony.
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Affiliation(s)
- T J T Mills
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - T M Nelson
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - L A Pearson
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - B A Neilan
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
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5
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Tang Q, Li W, Wang Z, Dong Z, Li X, Li J, Huang Q, Cao Z, Gong W, Zhao Y, Wang M, Guo J. Gut microbiome helps honeybee (Apis mellifera) resist the stress of toxic nectar plant (Bidens pilosa) exposure: Evidence for survival and immunity. Environ Microbiol 2023; 25:2020-2031. [PMID: 37291689 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Honeybee (Apis mellifera) ingestion of toxic nectar plants can threaten their health and survival. However, little is known about how to help honeybees mitigate the effects of toxic nectar plant poisoning. We exposed honeybees to different concentrations of Bidens pilosa flower extracts and found that B. pilosa exposure significantly reduced honeybee survival in a dose-dependent manner. By measuring changes in detoxification and antioxidant enzymes and the gut microbiome, we found that superoxide dismutase, glutathione-S-transferase and carboxylesterase activities were significantly activated with increasing concentrations of B. pilosa and that different concentrations of B. pilosa exposure changed the structure of the honeybee gut microbiome, causing a significant reduction in the abundance of Bartonella (p < 0.001) and an increase in Lactobacillus. Importantly, by using Germ-Free bees, we found that colonization by the gut microbes Bartonella apis and Apilactobacillus kunkeei (original classification as Lactobacillus kunkeei) significantly increased the resistance of honeybees to B. pilosa and significantly upregulated bee-associated immune genes. These results suggest that honeybee detoxification systems possess a level of resistance to the toxic nectar plant B. pilosa and that the gut microbes B. apis and A. kunkeei may augment resistance to B. pilosa stress by improving host immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qihe Tang
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Wanli Li
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Zhengwei Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jinghong, China
| | - Zhixiang Dong
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Xijie Li
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Jiali Li
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Qi Huang
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Zhe Cao
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Wei Gong
- Yunnan Vocational and Technical College of Agriculture, Kunming, China
| | - Yazhou Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Minzeng Wang
- Beijing Xishan Experimental Forest Farm, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Guo
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
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6
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Botina LL, Barbosa WF, Acosta JPL, Bernardes RC, Cortes JEQ, Pylro VS, Mendonça AC, Barbosa RC, Lima MAP, Martins GF. The impact of early-life exposure to three agrochemicals on survival, behavior, and gut microbiota of stingless bees (Partamona helleri). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023:10.1007/s11356-023-27385-4. [PMID: 37147541 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-27385-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Over the last few decades, agrochemicals have been partially associated with a global reduction in bees' population. Toxicological assessment is therefore crucial for understanding the overall agrochemical risks to stingless bees. Therefore, the lethal and sublethal effects of agrochemicals commonly used in crops (copper sulfate, glyphosate, and spinosad) on the behavior and gut microbiota of the stingless bee, Partamona helleri, were assessed using chronic exposure during the larval stage. When used at the field-recommended rates, both copper sulfate (200 µg of active ingredient/bee; a.i µg bee-1) and spinosad (8.16 a.i µg bee-1) caused a decrease in bee survival, while glyphosate (148 a.i µg bee-1) did not show any significant effects. No significant adverse effects on bee development were observed in any treatment with CuSO4 or glyphosate, but spinosad (0.08 or 0.03 a.i µg bee -1) increased the number of deformed bees and reduced their body mass. Agrochemicals changed the behavior of bees and composition of the gut microbiota of adult bees, and metals such as copper accumulated in the bees' bodies. The response of bees to agrochemicals depends on the class or dose of the ingested compound. In vitro rearing of stingless bees' larvae is a useful tool to elucidate the sublethal effects of agrochemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Lisbetd Botina
- Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, 36570-900, Brazil.
| | - Wagner Faria Barbosa
- Departamento de Estatística, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - João Paulo Lima Acosta
- Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, 36570-900, Brazil
| | | | | | - Victor Satler Pylro
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Lavras - UFLA, Lavras, MG, 37200-900, Brazil
| | - Adriana Corrêa Mendonça
- Departamento de Ciência de Solos, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - Renata Cristina Barbosa
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, 36570-900, Brazil
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7
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Han W, Ye Z, Gu Y, Zhong Y, Gao J, Zhao S, Wang S. Gut microbiota composition and gene expression changes induced in the Apis cerana exposed to acetamiprid and difenoconazole at environmentally realistic concentrations alone or combined. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1174236. [PMID: 37256066 PMCID: PMC10226273 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1174236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Apis cerana is an important pollinator of agricultural crops in China. In the agricultural environment, A. cerana may be exposed to acetamiprid (neonicotinoid insecticide) and difenoconazole (triazole fungicide), alone or in combination because they are commonly applied to various crops. At present, our understanding of the toxicological effects of acetamiprid and difenoconazole on honey bee gut microbiomes is limited. The primary objective of this study was to explore whether these two pesticides affect honey bees' gut microbiota and to analyze the transcriptional effects of these two pesticides on honey bees' head and gut. In this study, adults of A. cerana were exposed to acetamiprid and/or difenoconazole by contaminated syrup at field-realistic concentrations for 10 days. Results indicated that acetamiprid and/or difenoconazole chronic exposure did not affect honey bees' survival and food consumption, whereas difenoconazole decreased the weight of honey bees. 16S rRNA sequencing suggested that difenoconazole and the mixture of difenoconazole and acetamiprid decreased the diversity index and shaped the composition of gut bacteria microbiota, whereas acetamiprid did not impact the gut bacterial community. The ITS sequence data showed that neither of the two pesticides affected the fungal community structure. Meanwhile, we also observed that acetamiprid or difenoconazole significantly altered the expression of genes related to detoxification and immunity in honey bees' tissues. Furthermore, we observed that the adverse effect of the acetamiprid and difenoconazole mixture on honey bees' health was greater than that of a single mixture. Taken together, our study demonstrates that acetamiprid and/or difenoconazole exposure at field-realistic concentrations induced changes to the honey bee gut microbiome and gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wensu Han
- Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, China
- Bee Industry Technology Research Center, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, China
| | - Zheyuan Ye
- Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, China
| | - Yifan Gu
- Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, China
- Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University, Sanya, China
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yihai Zhong
- Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, China
- Bee Industry Technology Research Center, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, China
| | - Jinglin Gao
- Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, China
- Bee Industry Technology Research Center, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, China
| | - Shan Zhao
- Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, China
- Bee Industry Technology Research Center, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, China
| | - Shijie Wang
- Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, China
- Bee Industry Technology Research Center, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, China
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8
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Farlow AJ, Rupasinghe DB, Naji KM, Capon RJ, Spiteller D. Rosenbergiella meliponini D21B Isolated from Pollen Pots of the Australian Stingless Bee Tetragonula carbonaria. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11041005. [PMID: 37110428 PMCID: PMC10142583 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11041005] [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: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Rosenbergiella bacteria have been previously isolated predominantly from floral nectar and identified in metagenomic screenings as associated with bees. Here, we isolated three Rosenbergiella strains from the robust Australian stingless bee Tetragonula carbonaria sharing over 99.4% sequence similarity with Rosenbergiella strains isolated from floral nectar. The three Rosenbergiella strains (D21B, D08K, D15G) from T. carbonaria exhibited near-identical 16S rDNA. The genome of strain D21B was sequenced; its draft genome contains 3,294,717 bp, with a GC content of 47.38%. Genome annotation revealed 3236 protein-coding genes. The genome of D21B differs sufficiently from the closest related strain, Rosenbergiella epipactidis 2.1A, to constitute a new species. In contrast to R. epipactidis 2.1A, strain D21B produces the volatile 2-phenylethanol. The D21B genome contains a polyketide/non-ribosomal peptide gene cluster not present in any other Rosenbergiella draft genomes. Moreover, the Rosenbergiella strains isolated from T. carbonaria grew in a minimal medium without thiamine, but R. epipactidis 2.1A was thiamine-dependent. Strain D21B was named R. meliponini D21B, reflecting its origin from stingless bees. Rosenbergiella strains may contribute to the fitness of T. carbonaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony J Farlow
- Chemical Ecology/Biological Chemistry, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Darshani B Rupasinghe
- Chemical Ecology/Biological Chemistry, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Khalid M Naji
- Chemical Ecology/Biological Chemistry, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Robert J Capon
- Centre for Drug Discovery, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, 306 Carmody Road, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Dieter Spiteller
- Chemical Ecology/Biological Chemistry, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
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9
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Hammer TJ, Kueneman J, Argueta-Guzmán M, McFrederick QS, Grant L, Wcislo W, Buchmann S, Danforth BN. Bee breweries: The unusually fermentative, lactobacilli-dominated brood cell microbiomes of cellophane bees. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1114849. [PMID: 37089560 PMCID: PMC10113673 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1114849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogens and parasites of solitary bees have been studied for decades, but the microbiome as a whole is poorly understood for most taxa. Comparative analyses of microbiome features such as composition, abundance, and specificity, can shed light on bee ecology and the evolution of host–microbe interactions. Here we study microbiomes of ground-nesting cellophane bees (Colletidae: Diphaglossinae). From a microbial point of view, the diphaglossine genus Ptiloglossa is particularly remarkable: their larval provisions are liquid and smell consistently of fermentation. We sampled larval provisions and various life stages from wild nests of Ptiloglossa arizonensis and two species of closely related genera: Caupolicana yarrowi and Crawfordapis luctuosa. We also sampled nectar collected by P. arizonensis. Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we find that larval provisions of all three bee species are near-monocultures of lactobacilli. Nectar communities are more diverse, suggesting ecological filtering. Shotgun metagenomic and phylogenetic data indicate that Ptiloglossa culture multiple species and strains of Apilactobacillus, which circulate among bees and flowers. Larval lactobacilli disappear before pupation, and hence are likely not vertically transmitted, but rather reacquired from flowers as adults. Thus, brood cell microbiomes are qualitatively similar between diphaglossine bees and other solitary bees: lactobacilli-dominated, environmentally acquired, and non-species-specific. However, shotgun metagenomes provide evidence of a shift in bacterial abundance. As compared with several other bee species, Ptiloglossa have much higher ratios of bacterial to plant biomass in larval provisions, matching the unusually fermentative smell of their brood cells. Overall, Ptiloglossa illustrate a path by which hosts can evolve quantitatively novel symbioses: not by acquiring or domesticating novel symbionts, but by altering the microenvironment to favor growth of already widespread and generalist microbes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobin J. Hammer
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Tobin J. Hammer,
| | - Jordan Kueneman
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City, Panama
| | - Magda Argueta-Guzmán
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Quinn S. McFrederick
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Lady Grant
- Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - William Wcislo
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City, Panama
| | - Stephen Buchmann
- Department of Entomology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Bryan N. Danforth
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
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10
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Ersoy Omeroglu E, Keriman Arserim-Uçar D, Yegin Z, Çağlayan N, Nur Zafer Yurt M, Busra Tasbasi B, Esma Acar E, Ucak S, Cengiz Ozalp V, Sudagidan M. Determination of Bacterial Diversity of Propolis Microbiota. Chem Biodivers 2023; 20:e202201182. [PMID: 36740570 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202201182] [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: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Propolis is a natural resinous mixture produced by the excretions of honeybees. PCR amplification of the 16S rRNA gene region was achieved using DNA of pre-enriched propolis samples collected from Apis mellifera production hives (n=37) in Eastern Türkiye (Bingöl and its regions). Next-generation sequencing and metabarcoding techniques were used to identify bacterial communities in propolis samples. Firmicutes dominated the phylum structure, with Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Tenericutes, and Spirochaetes following. The top three bacterial families were Bacillaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, and Enterococcaceae. Bacillus (dominantly B. badius and B. thermolactis at the species level) was recognized at the genus level, followed by Enterococcus and Clostridium sensu stricto. Our study comprehensively identified the bacterial diversity of propolis samples. Further investigations targeting to enlighten the microbiota of propolis and its potential application fields are required to gain better insight into ecological, nutritional, and medicinal perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esra Ersoy Omeroglu
- Biology Department, Basic and Industrial Microbiology Section, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Izmir, 35040, Türkiye
| | | | - Zeynep Yegin
- Medical Laboratory Techniques Program, Vocational School of Health Services, Sinop University, Sinop, 57000, Türkiye
| | - Nevzat Çağlayan
- Department of Crop and Animal Production, Vocational School of Food, Agriculture, and Livestock, Beekeeping Program, Bingöl University, Bingöl, 12000, Türkiye
| | - Mediha Nur Zafer Yurt
- KIT-ARGEM R&D Center, Konya Food and Agriculture University, Meram, Konya, 42080, Türkiye
| | - Behiye Busra Tasbasi
- KIT-ARGEM R&D Center, Konya Food and Agriculture University, Meram, Konya, 42080, Türkiye
| | - Elif Esma Acar
- KIT-ARGEM R&D Center, Konya Food and Agriculture University, Meram, Konya, 42080, Türkiye
| | - Samet Ucak
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul Aydın University, Istanbul, 34295, Türkiye
| | - Veli Cengiz Ozalp
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Atilim University, Ankara, 06830, Türkiye
| | - Mert Sudagidan
- KIT-ARGEM R&D Center, Konya Food and Agriculture University, Meram, Konya, 42080, Türkiye
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11
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Lariviere PJ, Leonard SP, Horak RD, Powell JE, Barrick JE. Honey bee functional genomics using symbiont-mediated RNAi. Nat Protoc 2023; 18:902-928. [PMID: 36460809 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-022-00778-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Honey bees are indispensable pollinators and model organisms for studying social behavior, development and cognition. However, their eusociality makes it difficult to use standard forward genetic approaches to study gene function. Most functional genomics studies in bees currently utilize double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) injection or feeding to induce RNAi-mediated knockdown of a gene of interest. However, dsRNA injection is laborious and harmful, and dsRNA feeding is difficult to scale cheaply. Further, both methods require repeated dsRNA administration to ensure a continued RNAi response. To fill this gap, we engineered the bee gut bacterium Snodgrassella alvi to induce a sustained host RNA interference response that reduces expression of a targeted gene. To employ this functional genomics using engineered symbionts (FUGUES) procedure, a dsRNA expression plasmid is cloned in Escherichia coli using Golden Gate assembly and then transferred to S. alvi. Adult worker bees are then colonized with engineered S. alvi. Finally, gene knockdown is verified through qRT-PCR, and bee phenotypes of interest can be further assessed. Expression of targeted genes is reduced by as much as 50-75% throughout the entire bee body by 5 d after colonization. This protocol can be accomplished in 4 weeks by bee researchers with microbiology and molecular cloning skills. FUGUES currently offers a streamlined and scalable approach for studying the biology of honey bees. Engineering other microbial symbionts to influence their hosts in ways that are similar to those described in this protocol may prove useful for studying additional insect and animal species in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick J Lariviere
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.,Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Sean P Leonard
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.,Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Richard D Horak
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - J Elijah Powell
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Jeffrey E Barrick
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
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12
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Sinpoo C, In-on A, Noirungsee N, Attasopa K, Chantawannakul P, Chaimanee V, Phokasem P, Ling TC, Purahong W, Disayathanoowat T. Microbial community profiling and culturing reveal functional groups of bacteria associated with Thai commercial stingless worker bees (Tetragonula pagdeni). PLoS One 2023; 18:e0280075. [PMID: 36857385 PMCID: PMC9977063 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Stingless bees play a crucial role in the environment and agriculture as they are effective pollinators. Furthermore, they can produce various products that can be exploited economically, such as propolis and honey. Despite their economic value, the knowledge of microbial community of stingless bees, and their roles on the bees' health, especially in Thailand, are in its infancy. This study aimed to investigate the composition and the functions of bacterial community associated with Tetragonula pagdeni stingless bees using culture-independent and culture-dependent approaches with emphasis on lactic acid bacteria. The culture-independent results showed that the dominant bacterial phyla were Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria. The most abundant families were Lactobacillaceae and Halomonadaceae. Functional prediction indicated that the prevalent functions of bacterial communities were chemoheterotrophy and fermentation. In addition, the bacterial community might be able to biosynthesize amino acid and antimicrobial compounds. Further isolation and characterization resulted in isolates that belonged to the dominant taxa of the community and possessed potentially beneficial metabolic activity. This suggested that they are parts of the nutrient acquisition and host defense bacterial functional groups in Thai commercial stingless bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chainarong Sinpoo
- Bee Protection Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Ammarin In-on
- Bioinformatics & Systems Biology Program, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (Bang Khun Thian Campus), Bang Khun Thian, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nuttapol Noirungsee
- Bee Protection Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Korrawat Attasopa
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Panuwan Chantawannakul
- Bee Protection Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Veeranan Chaimanee
- Department of Agro-Industrial Biotechnology, Maejo University Phrae Campus, Rong Kwang, Phrae, Thailand
| | - Patcharin Phokasem
- Bee Protection Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Tial Cung Ling
- Bee Protection Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Witoon Purahong
- Department of Soil Ecology, UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Halle (Saale), Germany
- * E-mail: (WP); (TD)
| | - Terd Disayathanoowat
- Bee Protection Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- * E-mail: (WP); (TD)
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13
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Abstract
Stingless bees form perennial colonies of honey-making insects. The >600 species of stingless bees, mainly Neotropical, live throughout tropical latitudes. Foragers influence floral biology, plant reproduction, microbe dispersal, and diverse ecosystem functions. As tropical forest residents since the upper Cretaceous, they have had a long evolutionary history without competition from honey bees. Most stingless bees are smaller than any Apis species and recruit nest mates to resources, while their defense strategies exclude stinging behavior but incorporate biting. Stingless bees have diversified ecologically; excel in nesting site selection and mutualisms with plants, arthropods, and microbes; and display opportunism, including co-opting plant defenses. As their biology becomes better known, applications to human endeavors are imposing selective pressures from exploitation and approaches to conservation that entail colony extraction from wildlands. Although some meliponines can adjust to new conditions, their populations shall require tropical diversity for survival and reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W Roubik
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Republic of Panamá;
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14
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Tang QH, Li WL, Wang JP, Li XJ, Li D, Cao Z, Huang Q, Li JL, Zhang J, Wang ZW, Guo J, Li JL. Effects of spinetoram and glyphosate on physiological biomarkers and gut microbes in Bombus terrestris. Front Physiol 2023; 13:1054742. [PMID: 36699673 PMCID: PMC9868390 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.1054742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The sublethal effects of pesticide poisoning will have significant negative impacts on the foraging and learning of bees and bumblebees, so it has received widespread attention. However, little is known about the physiological effects of sublethal spinetoram and glyphosate exposure on bumblebees. We continuously exposed Bombus terrestris to sublethal (2.5 mg/L) spinetoram or glyphosate under controlled conditions for 10 days. The superoxide dismutase, glutathione-S-transferase, carboxylesterase, prophenoloxidase, α-amylase and protease activities, and changes in gut microbes were measured to understand the effects of sublethal pesticide exposure on the physiology and gut microbes of bumblebees. Sublethal pesticide exposure to significantly increased superoxide dismutase activity and significantly decreased gut α-amylase activity in bumblebees but had no significant effect on glutathione-S-transferase, carboxylesterase or gut protease activities. In addition, glyphosate increased the activity of prophenoloxidase. Interestingly, we observed that neither of the two pesticides had a significant effect on dominant gut bacteria, but glyphosate significantly altered the structure of the dominant gut fungal community, and reduced the relative abundance of Zygosaccharomyces associated with fat accumulation. These results suggest that sublethal spinetoram and glyphosate do not significantly affect the detoxification system of bumblebees, but may affect bumblebee health by inhibiting energy acquisition. Our results provide information on the sublethal effects of exposure to low concentrations of glyphosate and spinetoram on bumblebees in terms of physiology and gut microbes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi-He Tang
- Key Laboratory for Insect-Pollinator Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China,Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Wan-Li Li
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Jie-Ping Wang
- ChongQing Academy of Animal Sciences, Chongqing, China
| | - Xi-Jie Li
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Dan Li
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Zhe Cao
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Qi Huang
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Jia-Li Li
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Zheng-Wei Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jinghong, China,*Correspondence: Zheng-Wei Wang, ; Jun Guo, ; Ji-Lian Li,
| | - Jun Guo
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China,*Correspondence: Zheng-Wei Wang, ; Jun Guo, ; Ji-Lian Li,
| | - Ji-Lian Li
- Key Laboratory for Insect-Pollinator Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Zheng-Wei Wang, ; Jun Guo, ; Ji-Lian Li,
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15
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Living in honey: bacterial and fungal communities in honey of sympatric populations of Apis mellifera and the stingless bee Melipona beecheii, in Yucatan, Mexico. Arch Microbiol 2022; 204:718. [DOI: 10.1007/s00203-022-03319-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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16
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Barta DG, Cornea-Cipcigan M, Margaoan R, Vodnar DC. Biotechnological Processes Simulating the Natural Fermentation Process of Bee Bread and Therapeutic Properties-An Overview. Front Nutr 2022; 9:871896. [PMID: 35571893 PMCID: PMC9097220 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.871896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent signs of progress in functional foods and nutraceuticals highlighted the favorable impact of bioactive molecules on human health and longevity. As an outcome of the fermentation process, an increasing interest is developed in bee products. Bee bread (BB) is a different product intended for humans and bees, resulting from bee pollen's lactic fermentation in the honeycombs, abundant in polyphenols, nutrients (vitamins and proteins), fatty acids, and minerals. BB conservation is correlated to bacteria metabolites, mainly created by Pseudomonas spp., Lactobacillus spp., and Saccharomyces spp., which give lactic acid bacteria the ability to outperform other microbial groups. Because of enzymatic transformations, the fermentation process increases the content of new compounds. After the fermentation process is finalized, the meaningful content of lactic acid and several metabolites prevent the damage caused by various pathogens that could influence the quality of BB. Over the last few years, there has been an increase in bee pollen fermentation processes to unconventional dietary and functional supplements. The use of the chosen starters improves the bioavailability and digestibility of bioactive substances naturally found in bee pollen. As a consequence of enzymatic changes, the fermentation process enhances BB components and preserves them against loss of characteristics. In this aspect, the present review describes the current biotechnological advancements in the development of BB rich in beneficial components derived from bee pollen fermentation and its use as a food supplement and probiotic product with increased shelf life and multiple health benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Gabriel Barta
- Institute of Life Sciences, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.,Faculty of Food Science and Technology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Mihaiela Cornea-Cipcigan
- Advanced Horticultural Research Institute of Transylvania, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Rodica Margaoan
- Advanced Horticultural Research Institute of Transylvania, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Dan Cristian Vodnar
- Institute of Life Sciences, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.,Faculty of Food Science and Technology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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17
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Propolis of stingless bees for the development of novel functional food and nutraceutical ingredients: A systematic scoping review of the experimental evidence. J Funct Foods 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2021.104902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
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18
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Loss and Gain of Gut Bacterial Phylotype Symbionts in Afrotropical Stingless Bee Species (Apidae: Meliponinae). Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9122420. [PMID: 34946022 PMCID: PMC8708602 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9122420] [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: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Stingless bees (Apidae: Meliponini) are the most diverse group of corbiculate bees and are important managed and wild pollinators distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions of the globe. However, little is known about their associated beneficial microbes that play major roles in host nutrition, detoxification, growth, activation of immune responses, and protection against pathogens in their sister groups, honeybees and bumble bees. Here, we provide an initial characterization of the gut bacterial microbiota of eight stingless bee species from sub-Saharan Africa using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Our findings revealed that Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Proteobacteria were the dominant and conserved phyla across the eight stingless bee species. Additionally, we found significant geographical and host intra-species-specific bacterial diversity. Notably, African strains showed significant phylogenetic clustering when compared with strains from other continents, and each stingless bee species has its own microbial composition with its own dominant bacterial genus. Our results suggest host selective mechanisms maintain distinct gut communities among sympatric species and thus constitute an important resource for future studies on bee health management and host-microbe co-evolution and adaptation.
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