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Sevim A, Akpınar R, Öztürk SH, Yılmaz F, Kayaboynu Ü, Sevim E, Ese H, Karataş Ü, Buldağ M, Umur Ş. PCR-Based Screening of Pathogens in Bombus terrestris Populations of Turkey. Acta Parasitol 2024; 69:275-282. [PMID: 38041724 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-023-00743-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Bumblebees are an important group of insects in the pollination of various vegetables, fruits, oilseeds, legumes, and the fodder crops. Compared to honeybees, they have a wider choice of hosts and a longer flight period. These bees are used especially for the pollination of plants in greenhouses and are commercially produced for this purpose. Recently, serious decreases have been occurring in bumblebee populations due to various reasons such as pathogens, and some of species are even threatened with extinction. Due to the worldwide decline in pollinator insects, determining the distribution and prevalence of bumblebee pathogens is of great importance. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the incidence and prevalence of pathogens in Turkish bumblebee populations and how much of each pathogen was in bumblebee samples. METHODS A total of 172 Bombus terrestris (Linnaeus,1758) samples (21 samples from commercial enterprises, 79 samples from greenhouses and 72 samples from nature) were randomly collected from 3 provinces (Antalya, Mersin and İzmir) where greenhouse cultivation is intensively carried out in Turkey. Eighty-nine of these samples were collected in the spring and eighty-three in the autumn. The presence of four pathogens (Nosema bombi, Crithidia bombi, Apicystis bombi, and Locustacarus buchneri) was investigated by PCR using universal primers. RESULTS The overall prevalence of Nosema bombi, Crithidia bombi, Apicystis bombi, and Locustacarus buchneri was determined as 7.55%, 9.3%, 11.62%, and 4.65%, respectively. Co-infections (5.81%) were only detected in wild-caught (nature) samples. C. bombi and A. bombi infections were detected at higher rates in the spring samples than in the autumn samples (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the spring and autumn samples with respect to the presence of N. bombi and L. buchneri (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION The results obtained could be important in determining the prevalence and spread rates of the bumblebee diseases in Turkey and to determine appropriate protection measures. The information gathered should increase our knowledge about the presence of these pathogens in Turkey and could contribute to improve apiarist's practice. More studies are needed to determine the transmission pathways of these pathogens between the populations. Also, complex pathogen interactions in bumblebee populations should be considered in the future to improve bumblebee health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Sevim
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, Kırşehir, 40100, Turkey.
| | - Rahşan Akpınar
- Honeybee Diseases Laboratory, T.C Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Samsun Veterinary Control Institute, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Seyit Hasan Öztürk
- T.C Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ordu Apiculture Research Institute, Ordu, Turkey
| | - Fatih Yılmaz
- T.C Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ordu Apiculture Research Institute, Ordu, Turkey
| | - Ümit Kayaboynu
- T.C Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ordu Apiculture Research Institute, Ordu, Turkey
| | - Elif Sevim
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, Kırşehir, 40100, Turkey
| | - Hasan Ese
- T.C Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ordu Apiculture Research Institute, Ordu, Turkey
| | - Ümit Karataş
- T.C Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ordu Apiculture Research Institute, Ordu, Turkey
| | - Mücahit Buldağ
- T.C Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ordu Apiculture Research Institute, Ordu, Turkey
| | - Şinasi Umur
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey
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Zbrozek M, Fearon ML, Weise C, Tibbetts EA. Honeybee visitation to shared flowers increases Vairimorpha ceranae prevalence in bumblebees. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10528. [PMID: 37736280 PMCID: PMC10511299 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Vairimorpha (=Nosema) ceranae is a widespread pollinator parasite that commonly infects honeybees and wild pollinators, including bumblebees. Honeybees are highly competent V. ceranae hosts and previous work in experimental flight cages suggests V. ceranae can be transmitted during visitation to shared flowers. However, the relationship between floral visitation in the natural environment and the prevalence of V. ceranae among multiple bee species has not been explored. Here, we analyzed the number and duration of pollinator visits to particular components of squash flowers-including the petals, stamen, and nectary-at six farms in southeastern Michigan, USA. We also determined the prevalence of V. ceranae in honeybees and bumblebees at each site. Our results showed that more honeybee flower contacts and longer duration of contacts with pollen and nectar were linked with greater V. ceranae prevalence in bumblebees. Honeybee visitation patterns appear to have a disproportionately large impact on V. ceranae prevalence in bumblebees even though honeybees are not the most frequent flower visitors. Floral visitation by squash bees or other pollinators was not linked with V. ceranae prevalence in bumblebees. Further, V. ceranae prevalence in honeybees was unaffected by floral visitation behaviors by any pollinator species. These results suggest that honeybee visitation behaviors on shared floral resources may be an important contributor to increased V. ceranae spillover to bumblebees in the field. Understanding how V. ceranae prevalence is influenced by pollinator behavior in the shared floral landscape is critical for reducing parasite spillover into declining wild bee populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryellen Zbrozek
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Michelle L. Fearon
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Chloe Weise
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Elizabeth A. Tibbetts
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
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3
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Nekoei S, Rezvan M, Khamesipour F, Mayack C, Molento MB, Revainera PD. A systematic review of honey bee (Apis mellifera, Linnaeus, 1758) infections and available treatment options. Vet Med Sci 2023. [PMID: 37335585 PMCID: PMC10357250 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Honey bees and honeycomb bees are very valuable for wild flowering plants and economically important crops due to their role as pollinators. However, these insects confront many disease threats (viruses, parasites, bacteria and fungi) and large pesticide concentrations in the environment. Varroa destructor is the most prevalent disease that has had the most negative effects on the fitness and survival of different honey bees (Apis mellifera and A. cerana). Moreover, honey bees are social insects and this ectoparasite can be easily transmitted within and across bee colonies. OBJECTIVE This review aims to provide a survey of the diversity and distribution of important bee infections and possible management and treatment options, so that honey bee colony health can be maintained. METHODS We used PRISMA guidelines throughout article selection, published between January 1960 and December 2020. PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Ovid databases were searched. RESULTS We have collected 132 articles and retained 106 articles for this study. The data obtained revealed that V. destructor and Nosema spp. were found to be the major pathogens of honey bees worldwide. The impact of these infections can result in the incapacity of forager bees to fly, disorientation, paralysis, and death of many individuals in the colony. We find that both hygienic and chemical pest management strategies must be implemented to prevent, reduce the parasite loads and transmission of pathogens. The use of an effective miticide (fluvalinate-tau, coumaphos and amitraz) now seems to be an essential and common practice required to minimise the impact of Varroa mites and other pathogens on bee colonies. New, alternative biofriendly control methods, are on the rise, and could be critical for maintaining honey bee hive health and improving honey productivity. CONCLUSIONS We suggest that critical health control methods be adopted globally and that an international monitoring system be implemented to determine honey bee colony safety, regularly identify parasite prevalence, as well as potential risk factors, so that the impact of pathogens on bee health can be recognised and quantified on a global scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahin Nekoei
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Mahsa Rezvan
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Faham Khamesipour
- Research Center for Hydatid Disease in Iran, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Christopher Mayack
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Bioengineering, Sabanci University, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Marcelo Beltrão Molento
- Laboratory of Veterinary Clinical Parasitology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
- Microbiology, Parasitology, Pathology Program, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Pablo Damián Revainera
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS), Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción Sanidad y Ambiente (IIPROSAM), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la provincia de Buenos Aires (CIC), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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4
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McCormick EC, Cohen OR, Dolezal AG, Sadd BM. Consequences of microsporidian prior exposure for virus infection outcomes and bumble bee host health. Oecologia 2023:10.1007/s00442-023-05394-x. [PMID: 37284861 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-023-05394-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Host-parasite interactions do not occur in a vacuum, but in connected multi-parasite networks that can result in co-exposures and coinfections of individual hosts. These can affect host health and disease ecology, including disease outbreaks. However, many host-parasite studies examine pairwise interactions, meaning we still lack a general understanding of the influence of co-exposures and coinfections. Using the bumble bee Bombus impatiens, we study the effects of larval exposure to a microsporidian Nosema bombi, implicated in bumble bee declines, and adult exposure to Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus (IAPV), an emerging infectious disease from honey bee parasite spillover. We hypothesize that infection outcomes will be modified by co-exposure or coinfection. Nosema bombi is a potentially severe, larval-infecting parasite, and we predict that prior exposure will result in decreased host resistance to adult IAPV infection. We predict double parasite exposure will also reduce host tolerance of infection, as measured by host survival. Although our larval Nosema exposure mostly did not result in viable infections, it partially reduced resistance to adult IAPV infection. Nosema exposure also negatively affected survival, potentially due to a cost of immunity in resisting the exposure. There was a significant negative effect of IAPV exposure on survivorship, but prior Nosema exposure did not alter this survival outcome, suggesting increased tolerance given the higher IAPV infections in the bees previously exposed to Nosema. These results again demonstrate that infection outcomes can be non-independent when multiple parasites are present, even when exposure to one parasite does not result in a substantial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elyse C McCormick
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, 61790, USA
| | - Olivia R Cohen
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, 61790, USA
| | - Adam G Dolezal
- School of Integrated Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Ben M Sadd
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, 61790, USA.
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5
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Orlova M, Porter M, Hines HM, Amsalem E. Symptomatic Infection with Vairimorpha spp. Decreases Diapause Survival in a Wild Bumble Bee Species ( Bombus griseocollis). Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13101656. [PMID: 37238086 DOI: 10.3390/ani13101656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Vairimorpha, a microsporidian parasite (previously classified as Nosema), has been implicated in the decline of wild bumble bee species in North America. Previous studies examining its influence on colony performance have displayed variable results, from extremely detrimental effects to no observable influence, and little is known about the effects it has on individuals during the winter diapause, a bottleneck for survival in many annual pollinators. Here, we examined the effect of Vairimorpha infection, body size, and mass on diapause survival in Bombus griseocollis gynes. We demonstrate that gyne survival length in diapause is negatively affected by symptomatic Vairimorpha infection of the maternal colony but does not correlate with individual pathogen load. Our findings further indicate that increased body mass offers a protective effect against mortality during diapause in infected, but not in healthy, gynes. This suggests that access to adequate nutritional resources prior to diapause might offset the harmful effect of Vairimorpha infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarita Orlova
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, State University of New York Polytechnic Institute, Utica, NY 13502, USA
| | - Monique Porter
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Heather M Hines
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Etya Amsalem
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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6
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Gratton EM, McNeil DJ, Grozinger CM, Hines HM. Local habitat type influences bumble bee pathogen loads and bee species distributions. ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY 2023:7150786. [PMID: 37133965 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvad027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Bumble bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Bombus Latreille) perform important ecological services in both managed and natural ecosystems. Anthropogenically induced change has altered floral resources, climate, and insecticide exposure, factors that impact health and disease levels in these bees. Habitat management presents a solution for improving bee health and biodiversity, but this requires better understanding of how different pathogens and bee species respond to habitat conditions. We take advantage of the washboard of repeated ridges (forested) and valleys (mostly developed) in central Pennsylvania to examine whether local variation in habitat type and other landscape factors influence bumble bee community composition and levels of 4 leading pathogens in the common eastern bumble bee, Bombus impatiens Cresson. Loads of viruses (DWV and BQCV) were found to be lowest in forest habitats, whereas loads of a gut parasite, Crithidia bombi, were highest in forests. Ridgetop forests hosted the most diverse bumble bee communities, including several habitat specialists. B. impatiens was most abundant in valleys, and showed higher incidence in areas of greater disturbance, including more developed, unforested, and lower floral resource sites, a pattern which mirrors its success in the face of anthropogenic change. Additionally, DNA barcoding revealed that B. sandersoni is much more common than is apparent from databases. Our results provide evidence that habitat type can play a large role in pathogen load dynamics, but in ways that differ by pathogen type, and point to a need for consideration of habitat at both macro-ecological and local spatial scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena M Gratton
- Department of Entomology, Center for Pollinator Research, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Darin J McNeil
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Christina M Grozinger
- Department of Entomology, Center for Pollinator Research, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Heather M Hines
- Department of Entomology, Center for Pollinator Research, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
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7
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Yanagisawa T, Kato Y, Inoue MN. Infection Prevalence of Microsporidia Vairimorpha ( Nosema) spp. in Japanese Bumblebees. INSECTS 2023; 14:340. [PMID: 37103155 PMCID: PMC10145284 DOI: 10.3390/insects14040340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Microsporidia are spore-forming intracellular parasites of various invertebrates and vertebrates. Vairimorpha bombi negatively affects the fitness of bumblebees and its prevalence correlates with declining bumblebee populations. The invasive alien species Bombus terrestris colonized Japan and possibly introduced new parasites. To assess the infection prevalence of V. bombi in Japanese bumblebees and B. terrestris, we investigated V. bombi infections using PCR and microscopy. The prevalence of sporulating V. bombi infections in three Bombus s. str. species/subspecies was low, whereas that of non/low-sporulating Vairimorpha sp. infections in three Diversobombus species/subspecies was high. Invasive B. terrestris showed low prevalence of non/low-sporulating V. bombi infections and shared the same V. bombi haplotype with B. hypocrita found in Hokkaido, where B. terrestris is present, and in Honshu, where B. terrestris is absent. Although V. bombi may have been introduced with B. terrestris colonies imported from Europe, it seems to be originally distributed in Japan. Furthermore, a new Vairimorpha sp. was found in Japanese bumblebee species. V. bombi and Vairimorpha sp. showed different organ and host specificities in bumblebees. There are no reports on the specific effects of other Vairimorpha spp. on bumblebees; further studies are needed to clarify the individual characteristics of Vairimorpha spp.
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8
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Babin A, Schurr F, Rivière MP, Chauzat MP, Dubois E. Specific detection and quantification of three microsporidia infecting bees, Nosema apis, Nosema ceranae, and Nosema bombi, using probe-based real-time PCR. Eur J Protistol 2022; 86:125935. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejop.2022.125935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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9
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Lopes AR, Martín-Hernández R, Higes M, Segura SK, Henriques D, Pinto MA. Colonisation Patterns of Nosema ceranae in the Azores Archipelago. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9070320. [PMID: 35878337 PMCID: PMC9323992 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9070320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Nosema ceranae is a highly prevalent pathogen of Apis mellifera, which is distributed worldwide. However, there may still exist isolated areas that remain free of N. ceranae. Herein, we used molecular tools to survey the Azores to detect N. ceranae and unravel its colonisation patterns. To that end, we sampled 474 colonies from eight islands in 2014/2015 and 91 from four islands in 2020. The findings revealed that N. ceranae was not only present but also the dominant species in the Azores. In 2014/2015, N. apis was rare and N. ceranae prevalence varied between 2.7% in São Jorge and 50.7% in Pico. In 2020, N. ceranae prevalence increased significantly (p < 0.001) in Terceira and São Jorge also showing higher infection levels. The spatiotemporal patterns suggest that N. ceranae colonised the archipelago recently, and it rapidly spread across other islands, where at least two independent introductions might have occurred. Flores and Santa Maria have escaped the N. ceranae invasion, and it is remarkable that Santa Maria is also free of Varroa destructor, which makes it one of the last places in Europe where the honey bee remains naive to these two major biotic stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rita Lopes
- Centro de Investigação de Montanha, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal; (A.R.L.); (D.H.)
| | - Raquel Martín-Hernández
- Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, IRIAF—Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Camino de San Martín, 19180 Marchamalo, Spain; (R.M.-H.); (M.H.)
- Instituto de Recursos Humanos para la Ciencia y la Tecnología (INCRECYT-FSE/EC-ESF), Fundación Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Castilla—La Mancha, 02006 Albacete, Spain
| | - Mariano Higes
- Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, IRIAF—Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Camino de San Martín, 19180 Marchamalo, Spain; (R.M.-H.); (M.H.)
| | - Sara Kafafi Segura
- Zoología y Antropología Física, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28014 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Dora Henriques
- Centro de Investigação de Montanha, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal; (A.R.L.); (D.H.)
| | - Maria Alice Pinto
- Centro de Investigação de Montanha, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal; (A.R.L.); (D.H.)
- Correspondence:
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Gómez-Moracho T, Durand T, Lihoreau M. The gut parasite Nosema ceranae impairs olfactory learning in bumblebees. J Exp Biol 2022; 225:275951. [PMID: 35726829 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.244340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Pollinators are exposed to numerous parasites and pathogens when foraging on flowers. These biological stressors may affect critical cognitive abilities required for foraging. Here, we tested whether exposure to Nosema ceranae, one of the most widespread parasites of honey bees also found in wild pollinators, impacts cognition in bumblebees. We investigated different forms of olfactory learning and memory using conditioning of the proboscis extension reflex. Seven days after feeding parasite spores, bumblebees showed lower performances in absolute, differential, and reversal learning than controls. The consistent observations across different types of olfactory learning indicates a general negative effect of N. ceranae exposure that did not specifically target particular brain areas or neural processes. We discuss the potential mechanisms by which N. ceranae impairs bumblebee cognition and the broader consequences for populations of pollinators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Gómez-Moracho
- Research Center on Animal Cognition (CRCA), Center for Integrative Biology (CBI); CNRS, University Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Tristan Durand
- Research Center on Animal Cognition (CRCA), Center for Integrative Biology (CBI); CNRS, University Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Mathieu Lihoreau
- Research Center on Animal Cognition (CRCA), Center for Integrative Biology (CBI); CNRS, University Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
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11
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Effects of planted pollinator habitat on pathogen prevalence and interspecific detection between bee species. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7806. [PMID: 35551218 PMCID: PMC9098541 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11734-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Shared resources can instigate pathogen spread due to large congregations of individuals in both natural and human modified resources. Of current concern is the addition of pollinator habitat in conservation efforts as it attracts bees of various species, potentially instigating interspecific sharing of pathogens. Common pathogens have been documented across a wide variety of pollinators with shared floral resources instigating their spread in some, but not all, cases. To evaluate the impact of augmented pollinator habitat on pathogen prevalence, we extracted RNA from samples of eight bee species across three families and screened these samples for nine pathogens using RT-qPCR. We found that some habitat characteristics influenced pathogen detection; however, we found no evidence that pathogen detection in one bee species was correlated with pathogen detection in another. In fact, pathogen detection was rare in wild bees. While gut parasites were detected in 6 out of the 8 species included in this study, viruses were only detected in honey bees. Further, virus detection in honey bees was low with a maximum 21% of samples testing positive for BQCV, for example. These findings suggest factors other than the habitat itself may be more critical in the dissemination of pathogens among bee species. However, we found high relative prevalence and copy number of gut parasites in some bee species which may be of concern, such as Bombus pensylvanicus. Long-term monitoring of pathogens in different bee species at augmented pollinator habitat is needed to evaluate if these patterns will change over time.
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12
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Cohen H, Ponisio LC, Russell KA, Philpott SM, McFrederick QS. Floral resources shape parasite and pathogen dynamics in bees facing urbanization. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:2157-2171. [PMID: 35114032 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Urbanization is associated with increases in impervious land cover, which alters the distribution of resources available to wildlife and concentrates activity in un-built spaces such as parks and gardens. How resource shifts alter the dynamics of parasite and pathogen transmission has not been addressed for many important species in urban systems. We focus on urban gardens, resource-rich "islands" within the urban matrix, to examine how the availability of floral resources at local and landscape scales influences the prevalence of 6 RNA viruses and 3 parasites in honey bees and bumble bees. Because parasites and pathogens are transmitted at flowers between visitors, we expected that floral abundance would concentrate bees within gardens, amplifying infection rates in pollinators, unless increases in floral resources would enhance bee diversity enough to dilute transmission. We found that garden size and flowering perennial plant abundance had a positive, direct effect on parasite and pathogen richness in bumble bees, suggesting that resource provisioning amplifies transmission. We also found that parasitism rates in honey bees were positively associated with parasites and pathogens in bumble bees, suggesting spillover between species. Encouragingly, we found evidence that management may mitigate parasitism through indirect effects: garden size had a positive impact on bee diversity, which in-turn was negatively associated with parasite and pathogen richness in bumble bees. Unexpectedly, we observed that that parasite and pathogen richness in honey bees had no significant predictors, highlighting the complexity of comparing transmission dynamics between species. Although floral resources provide bees with food, we suggest more research on the tradeoffs between resource provisioning and disease transmission to implement conservation plantings in changing landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamutahl Cohen
- Institute for Food and Agriculture, University of Florida, U.S.A
| | | | - Kaleigh A Russell
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, U.S.A
| | - Stacy M Philpott
- Environmental Studies Department, University of California, Santa Cruz, U.S.A
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13
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Galajda R, Valenčáková A, Sučik M, Kandráčová P. Nosema Disease of European Honey Bees. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7090714. [PMID: 34575752 PMCID: PMC8468538 DOI: 10.3390/jof7090714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Nosematosis is currently a frequently discussed honey bee disease caused by two types of Microsporidia: Nosema apis and Nosema ceranae. Nosematosis as an intestinal disease caused by these species is one of the main factors associated with the weakening and loss of hives, with none of the stressors acting in isolation and all having an important synergistic or additive effect on the occurrence of parasitic infection. The most important factors are exposure to pesticides and nutritional stress, both worsening the immune response. Honey bees Apis mellifera become more susceptible to parasites and subsequently the disease manifests itself. Choosing the right laboratory diagnostics is important to determine the prevalence of both species. Our review summarizes the most commonly used methodologies, especially polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which is a reliable method for detecting nosematosis, as well as for distinguishing between the two species causing the disease.
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14
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Nanetti A, Bortolotti L, Cilia G. Pathogens Spillover from Honey Bees to Other Arthropods. Pathogens 2021; 10:1044. [PMID: 34451508 PMCID: PMC8400633 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10081044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Honey bees, and pollinators in general, play a major role in the health of ecosystems. There is a consensus about the steady decrease in pollinator populations, which raises global ecological concern. Several drivers are implicated in this threat. Among them, honey bee pathogens are transmitted to other arthropods populations, including wild and managed pollinators. The western honey bee, Apis mellifera, is quasi-globally spread. This successful species acted as and, in some cases, became a maintenance host for pathogens. This systematic review collects and summarizes spillover cases having in common Apis mellifera as the mainteinance host and some of its pathogens. The reports are grouped by final host species and condition, year, and geographic area of detection and the co-occurrence in the same host. A total of eighty-one articles in the time frame 1960-2021 were included. The reported spillover cases cover a wide range of hymenopteran host species, generally living in close contact with or sharing the same environmental resources as the honey bees. They also involve non-hymenopteran arthropods, like spiders and roaches, which are either likely or unlikely to live in close proximity to honey bees. Specific studies should consider host-dependent pathogen modifications and effects on involved host species. Both the plasticity of bee pathogens and the ecological consequences of spillover suggest a holistic approach to bee health and the implementation of a One Health approach.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura Bortolotti
- Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economics Analysis, Centre for Agriculture and Environment Research (CREA-AA), Via di Saliceto 80, 40128 Bologna, Italy; (A.N.); (G.C.)
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15
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Tejerina MR, Benítez-Ahrendts MR, Audisio MC. Lactobacillus salivarius A3iob Reduces the Incidence of Varroa destructor and Nosema Spp. in Commercial Apiaries Located in the Northwest of Argentina. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins 2021; 12:1360-1369. [PMID: 32172463 DOI: 10.1007/s12602-020-09638-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Lactobacillus salivarius A3iob was administered to productive colonies belonging to commercial apiaries of small beekeepers (around 30-50 hives each one), from four departments of the province of Jujuy (Argentina): Yala, Tilquiza, El Carmen, and Los Alisos. The incidence of Varroa destructor and Nosema spp., before and after winter, was monitored during 2 years of study (2014-2015). Depending on the geographical location of each apiary and the application time, a monthly dose of the bacteria (105 CFU/mL) reduced the levels of varroasis between 50 and 80%. Interestingly, L. salivarius A3iob cells remitted the percentage of the mites to undetectable values in an apiary treated with flumethrin (at Yala, Yungas region).On the other hand, the spore levels of Nosema spp. in the lactobacilli-treated colonies also depended on the apiary and the year of application, but a significant decrease was mainly observed in the post-winter period. However, at Rivera (El Carmen's department), no significant changes were detected in both parameters.These results obtained after 2 years of work suggest that delivering L. salivarius A3iob cells to the bee colonies can become a new eco-friendly tool to cooperate with the control of these bees' pests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Raúl Tejerina
- Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Jujuy, Alberdi 47, 4600, Jujuy, Argentina
| | | | - Marcela Carina Audisio
- Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Salta, Av. Bolivia 5150, 4402FDC, Salta, Argentina.
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16
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Gabín-García LB, Bartolomé C, Guerra-Tort C, Rojas-Nossa SV, Llovo J, Maside X. Identification of pathogens in the invasive hornet Vespa velutina and in native Hymenoptera (Apidae, Vespidae) from SW-Europe. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11233. [PMID: 34045562 PMCID: PMC8160249 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90615-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive species contribute to deteriorate the health of ecosystems due to their direct effects on native fauna and the local parasite-host dynamics. We studied the potential impact of the invasive hornet Vespa velutina on the European parasite-host system by comparing the patterns of diversity and abundance of pathogens (i.e. Microsporidia: Nosematidae; Euglenozoa: Trypanosomatidae and Apicomplexa: Lipotrophidae) in European V. velutina specimens with those in the native European hornet Vespa crabro, as well as other common Hymenoptera (genera Vespula, Polistes and Bombus). We show that (i) V. velutina harbours most common hymenopteran enteropathogens as well as several new parasitic taxa. (ii) Parasite diversity in V. velutina is most similar to that of V. crabro. (iii) No unambiguous evidence of pathogen release by V. velutina was detected. This evidence together with the extraordinary population densities that V. velutina reaches in Europe (around of 100,000 individuals per km2 per year), mean that this invasive species could severely alter the native pathogen-host dynamics either by actively contributing to the dispersal of the parasites and/or by directly interacting with them, which could have unexpected long-term harmful consequences on the native entomofauna.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis B Gabín-García
- CiMUS P2D2, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Av. de Barcelona s/n, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Galiza, Spain.,Instituto de Investigacións Sanitarias de Santiago (IDIS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Galiza, Spain
| | - Carolina Bartolomé
- CiMUS P2D2, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Av. de Barcelona s/n, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Galiza, Spain.,Instituto de Investigacións Sanitarias de Santiago (IDIS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Galiza, Spain
| | - Carla Guerra-Tort
- CiMUS P2D2, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Av. de Barcelona s/n, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Galiza, Spain
| | - Sandra V Rojas-Nossa
- Department of Ecology and Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Vigo, 36310, Vigo, Galiza, Spain
| | - José Llovo
- Instituto de Investigacións Sanitarias de Santiago (IDIS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Galiza, Spain
| | - Xulio Maside
- CiMUS P2D2, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Av. de Barcelona s/n, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Galiza, Spain. .,Instituto de Investigacións Sanitarias de Santiago (IDIS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Galiza, Spain.
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17
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Salvarrey S, Antúnez K, Arredondo D, Plischuk S, Revainera P, Maggi M, Invernizzi C. Parasites and RNA viruses in wild and laboratory reared bumble bees Bombus pauloensis (Hymenoptera: Apidae) from Uruguay. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0249842. [PMID: 33901226 PMCID: PMC8075198 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Bumble bees (Bombus spp.) are important pollinators insects involved in the maintenance of natural ecosystems and food production. Bombus pauloensis is a widely distributed species in South America, that recently began to be managed and commercialized in this region. The movement of colonies within or between countries may favor the dissemination of parasites and pathogens, putting into risk while populations of B. pauloensis and other native species. In this study, wild B. pauloensis queens and workers, and laboratory reared workers were screened for the presence of phoretic mites, internal parasites (microsporidia, protists, nematodes and parasitoids) and RNA viruses (Black queen cell virus (BQCV), Deformed wing virus (DWV), Acute paralysis virus (ABCV) and Sacbrood virus (SBV)). Bumble bee queens showed the highest number of mite species, and it was the only group where Conopidae and S. bombi were detected. In the case of microsporidia, a higher prevalence of N. ceranae was detected in field workers. Finally, the bumble bees presented the four RNA viruses studied for A. mellifera, in proportions similar to those previously reported in this species. Those results highlight the risks of spillover among the different species of pollinators.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karina Antúnez
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable (IIBCE), Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Daniela Arredondo
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable (IIBCE), Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Santiago Plischuk
- Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (CEPAVE) (CONICET- UNLP), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Pablo Revainera
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Matías Maggi
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Mar del Plata, Argentina
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18
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Calhoun AC, Harrod AE, Bassingthwaite TA, Sadd BM. Testing the multiple stressor hypothesis: chlorothalonil exposure alters transmission potential of a bumblebee pathogen but not individual host health. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20202922. [PMID: 33784861 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.2922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous threats are putting pollinator health and essential ecosystem pollination services in jeopardy. Although individual threats are widely studied, their co-occurrence may exacerbate negative effects, as posited by the multiple stressor hypothesis. A prominent branch of this hypothesis concerns pesticide-pathogen co-exposure. A landscape analysis demonstrated a positive association between local chlorothalonil fungicide use and microsporidian pathogen (Nosema bombi) prevalence in declining bumblebee species (Bombus spp.), suggesting an interaction deserving further investigation. We tested the multiple stressor hypothesis with field-realistic chlorothalonil and N. bombi exposures in worker-produced B. impatiens microcolonies. Chlorothalonil was not avoided in preference assays, setting the stage for pesticide-pathogen co-exposure. However, contrary to the multiple stressor hypothesis, co-exposure did not affect survival. Bees showed surprising tolerance to Nosema infection, which was also unaffected by chlorothalonil exposure. However, previously fungicide-exposed infected bees carried more transmission-ready spores. Our use of a non-declining bumblebee and potential higher chlorothalonil exposures under some scenarios could mean stronger individual or interactive effects in certain field settings. Yet, our results alone suggest consequences of pesticide co-exposure for pathogen dynamics in host communities. This underlies the importance of considering both within- and between-host processes when addressing the multiple stressor hypothesis in relation to pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin C Calhoun
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, IL 61790, USA
| | - Audrey E Harrod
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, IL 61790, USA
| | | | - Ben M Sadd
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, IL 61790, USA
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19
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The Herbal Supplements NOZEMAT HERB ® and NOZEMAT HERB PLUS ®: An Alternative Therapy for N. ceranae Infection and Its Effects on Honey Bee Strength and Production Traits. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10020234. [PMID: 33669663 PMCID: PMC7922068 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10020234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) are the most effective pollinators for different crops and wild flowering plants, thus maintaining numerous ecosystems in the world. However, honey bee colonies often suffer from stress or even death due to various pests and diseases. Among the latter, nosemosis is considered to be one of the most common diseases, causing serious damage to beekeeping every year. Here, we present, for the first time, the effects from the application of the herbal supplements NOZEMAT HERB® (NH) and NOZEMAT HERB PLUS® (NHP) for treating N. ceranae infection and positively influencing the general development of honey bee colonies. To achieve this, in autumn 2019, 45 colonies were selected based on the presence of N. ceranae infections. The treatment was carried out for 11 months (August 2019–June 2020). All colonies were sampled pre- and post-treatment for the presence of N. ceranae by means of light microscopy and PCR analysis. The honey bee colonies’ performance and health were evaluated pre- and post-treatment. The obtained results have shown that both supplements have exhibited statistically significant biological activity against N. ceranae in infected apiaries. Considerable enhancement in the strength of honey bee colonies and the amount of sealed workers was observed just one month after the application of NH and NHP. Although the mechanisms of action of NH and NHP against N. ceranae infection are yet to be completely elucidated, our results suggest a new holistic approach as an alternative therapy to control nosemosis and to improve honey bee colonies’ performance and health.
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20
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Gómez-Moracho T, Durand T, Pasquaretta C, Heeb P, Lihoreau M. Artificial Diets Modulate Infection Rates by Nosema ceranae in Bumblebees. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9010158. [PMID: 33445614 PMCID: PMC7827189 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9010158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasites alter the physiology and behaviour of their hosts. In domestic honey bees, the microsporidia Nosema ceranae induces energetic stress that impairs the behaviour of foragers, potentially leading to colony collapse. Whether this parasite similarly affects wild pollinators is little understood because of the low success rates of experimental infection protocols. Here, we present a new approach for infecting bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) with controlled amounts of N. ceranae by briefly exposing individual bumblebees to parasite spores before feeding them with artificial diets. We validated our protocol by testing the effect of two spore dosages and two diets varying in their protein to carbohydrate ratio on the prevalence of the parasite (proportion of PCR-positive bumblebees), the intensity of parasites (spore count in the gut and the faeces), and the survival of bumblebees. Overall, insects fed a low-protein, high-carbohydrate diet showed the highest parasite prevalence (up to 70%) but lived the longest, suggesting that immunity and survival are maximised at different protein to carbohydrate ratios. Spore dosage did not affect parasite infection rate and host survival. The identification of experimental conditions for successfully infecting bumblebees with N. ceranae in the lab will facilitate future investigations of the sub-lethal effects of this parasite on the behaviour and cognition of wild pollinators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Gómez-Moracho
- Research Center on Animal Cognition (CRCA), Center for Integrative Biology (CBI), CNRS, University Paul Sabatier, 31062 Toulouse, France; (T.D.); (C.P.); (M.L.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Tristan Durand
- Research Center on Animal Cognition (CRCA), Center for Integrative Biology (CBI), CNRS, University Paul Sabatier, 31062 Toulouse, France; (T.D.); (C.P.); (M.L.)
| | - Cristian Pasquaretta
- Research Center on Animal Cognition (CRCA), Center for Integrative Biology (CBI), CNRS, University Paul Sabatier, 31062 Toulouse, France; (T.D.); (C.P.); (M.L.)
| | - Philipp Heeb
- Laboratoire Evolution et Diversité Biologique, UMR 5174 Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Paul Sabatier, ENSFEA, 31062 Toulouse, France;
| | - Mathieu Lihoreau
- Research Center on Animal Cognition (CRCA), Center for Integrative Biology (CBI), CNRS, University Paul Sabatier, 31062 Toulouse, France; (T.D.); (C.P.); (M.L.)
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21
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Occurrence of bee viruses and pathogens associated with emerging infectious diseases in native and non-native bumble bees in southern Chile. Biol Invasions 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-020-02428-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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22
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McNeil DJ, McCormick E, Heimann AC, Kammerer M, Douglas MR, Goslee SC, Grozinger CM, Hines HM. Bumble bees in landscapes with abundant floral resources have lower pathogen loads. Sci Rep 2020; 10:22306. [PMID: 33339846 PMCID: PMC7749142 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78119-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The pollination services provided by bees are essential for supporting natural and agricultural ecosystems. However, bee population declines have been documented across the world. Many of the factors known to undermine bee health (e.g., poor nutrition) can decrease immunocompetence and, thereby, increase bees’ susceptibility to diseases. Given the myriad of stressors that can exacerbate disease in wild bee populations, assessments of the relative impact of landscape habitat conditions on bee pathogen prevalence are needed to effectively conserve pollinator populations. Herein, we assess how landscape-level conditions, including various metrics of floral/nesting resources, insecticides, weather, and honey bee (Apis mellifera) abundance, drive variation in wild bumble bee (Bombus impatiens) pathogen loads. Specifically, we screened 890 bumble bee workers from varied habitats in Pennsylvania, USA for three pathogens (deformed wing virus, black queen cell virus, and Vairimorpha (= Nosema) bombi), Defensin expression, and body size. Bumble bees collected within low-quality landscapes exhibited the highest pathogen loads, with spring floral resources and nesting habitat availability serving as the main drivers. We also found higher loads of pathogens where honey bee apiaries are more abundant, a positive relationship between Vairimorpha loads and rainfall, and differences in pathogens by geographic region. Collectively, our results highlight the need to support high-quality landscapes (i.e., those with abundant floral/nesting resources) to maintain healthy wild bee populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darin J McNeil
- Department of Entomology, Insect Biodiversity Center, Center for Pollinator Research, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
| | - Elyse McCormick
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Ashley C Heimann
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Melanie Kammerer
- Department of Entomology, Insect Biodiversity Center, Center for Pollinator Research, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Margaret R Douglas
- Department of Environmental Studies and Environmental Science, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA, 17013, USA
| | - Sarah C Goslee
- United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Pasture Systems and Watershed Management Research Unit, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Christina M Grozinger
- Department of Entomology, Insect Biodiversity Center, Center for Pollinator Research, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Heather M Hines
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
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23
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Bartolomé C, Jabal-Uriel C, Buendía-Abad M, Benito M, Ornosa C, De la Rúa P, Martín-Hernández R, Higes M, Maside X. Wide diversity of parasites in Bombus terrestris (Linnaeus, 1758) revealed by a high-throughput sequencing approach. Environ Microbiol 2020; 23:478-483. [PMID: 33225560 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Assessing the extent of parasite diversity requires the application of appropriate molecular tools, especially given the growing evidence of multiple parasite co-occurrence. Here, we compared the performance of a next-generation sequencing technology (Ion PGM ™ System) in 12 Bombus terrestris specimens that were PCR-identified as positive for trypanosomatids (Leishmaniinae) in a previous study. These bumblebees were also screened for the occurrence of Nosematidae and Neogregarinorida parasites using both classical protocols (either specific PCR amplification or amplification with broad-range primers plus Sanger sequencing) and Ion PGM sequencing. The latter revealed higher parasite diversity within individuals, especially among Leishmaniinae (which were present as a combination of Lotmaria passim, Crithidia mellificae and Crithidia bombi), and the occurrence of taxa never reported in these hosts: Crithidia acanthocephali and a novel neogregarinorida species. Furthermore, the complementary results produced by the different sets of primers highlighted the convenience of using multiple markers to minimize the chance of some target organisms going unnoticed. Altogether, the deep sequencing methodology offered a more comprehensive way to investigate parasite diversity than the usual identification methods and provided new insights whose importance for bumblebee health should be further analysed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Bartolomé
- Grupo de Medicina Xenómica, CIMUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, 15782, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, 15706, Spain
| | - Clara Jabal-Uriel
- Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal (IRIAF), Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Marchamalo, 19180, Spain
| | - María Buendía-Abad
- Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal (IRIAF), Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Marchamalo, 19180, Spain
| | - María Benito
- Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal (IRIAF), Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Marchamalo, 19180, Spain
| | - Concepción Ornosa
- Departamento de Biodiversidad, Ecología y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, 28040, Spain
| | - Pilar De la Rúa
- Departamento de Zoología y Antropología Física, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, 30100, Spain
| | - Raquel Martín-Hernández
- Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal (IRIAF), Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Marchamalo, 19180, Spain.,Instituto de Recursos Humanos para la Ciencia y la Tecnología, Fundación Parque Científico Tecnológico de Albacete, Albacete, 02006, Spain
| | - Mariano Higes
- Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal (IRIAF), Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Marchamalo, 19180, Spain
| | - Xulio Maside
- Grupo de Medicina Xenómica, CIMUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, 15782, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, 15706, Spain
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24
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Botías C, Jones JC, Pamminger T, Bartomeus I, Hughes WOH, Goulson D. Multiple stressors interact to impair the performance of bumblebee Bombus terrestris colonies. J Anim Ecol 2020; 90:415-431. [PMID: 33084067 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Bumblebees are constantly exposed to a wide range of biotic and abiotic stresses which they must defend themselves against to survive. Pathogens and pesticides represent important stressors that influence bumblebee health, both when acting alone or in combination. To better understand bumblebee health, we need to investigate how these factors interact, yet experimental studies to date generally focus on only one or two stressors. The aim of this study is to evaluate how combined effects of four important stressors (the gut parasite Nosema ceranae, the neonicotinoid insecticide thiamethoxam, the pyrethroid insecticide cypermethrin and the EBI fungicide tebuconazole) interact to affect bumblebees at the individual and colony levels. We established seven treatment groups of colonies that we pulse exposed to different combinations of these stressors for 2 weeks under laboratory conditions. Colonies were subsequently placed in the field for 7 weeks to evaluate the effect of treatments on the prevalence of N. ceranae in inoculated bumblebees, expression levels of immunity and detoxification-related genes, food collection, weight gain, worker and male numbers, and production of worker brood and reproductives. Exposure to pesticide mixtures reduced food collection by bumblebees. All immunity-related genes were upregulated in the bumblebees inoculated with N. ceranae when they had not been exposed to pesticide mixtures, and bumblebees exposed to the fungicide and the pyrethroid were less likely to have N. ceranae. Combined exposure to the three-pesticide mixture and N. ceranae reduced bumblebee colony growth, and all treatments had detrimental effects on brood production. The groups exposed to the neonicotinoid insecticide produced 40%-76% fewer queens than control colonies. Our findings show that exposure to combinations of stressors that bumblebees frequently come into contact with have detrimental effects on colony health and performance and could therefore have an impact at the population level. These results also have significant implications for current practices and policies for pesticide risk assessment and use as the combinations tested here are frequently applied simultaneously in the field. Understanding the interactions between different stressors will be crucial for improving our ability to manage bee populations and for ensuring pollination services into the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Botías
- Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal de Castilla La Mancha (IRIAF), CIAPA de Marchamalo, Guadalajara, Spain.,School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Julia C Jones
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK.,School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Tobias Pamminger
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK.,BASF SE, APD/EE-Li 425, Limburgerhof, Germany
| | - Ignasi Bartomeus
- Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Dpto. Ecología Integrativa, Sevilla, Spain
| | | | - Dave Goulson
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
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MacInnis CI, Keddie BA, Pernal SF. Nosema ceranae (Microspora: Nosematidae): A Sweet Surprise? Investigating the Viability and Infectivity of N. ceranae Spores Maintained in Honey and on Beeswax. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2020; 113:2069-2078. [PMID: 32882034 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toaa170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Nosema disease is a prominent malady among adult honey bees [Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae)], caused by the microsporidian parasites, Nosema apis Zander (Microspora: Nosematidae) and N. ceranae Fries et al. 1996. The biology of N. apis is well understood, as this parasite was first described over a century ago. As N. ceranae is an emerging parasite of the honey bee, we do not yet understand how long spores of this parasite survive in honey bee colonies, or all the potential modes of transmission among bees. We investigated the viability and infectivity of N. ceranae spores in honey and on beeswax over time after exposure to 33, 20, -12, and -20°C. Spores in honey maintained viability at freezing temperatures for up to 1 yr and remained viable considerably longer than those on beeswax. Based on this evidence, honey may act as an important reservoir for infective spores to initiate or perpetuate N. ceranae infections in honey bee colonies. This work provides information that may help enhance current management recommendations for apiculturalists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney I MacInnis
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Beaverlodge Research Farm, Beaverlodge, AB, Canada
| | - B Andrew Keddie
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Stephen F Pernal
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Beaverlodge Research Farm, Beaverlodge, AB, Canada
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Lannutti L, Mira A, Basualdo M, Rodriguez G, Erler S, Silva V, Gisder S, Genersch E, Florin-Christensen M, Schnittger L. Development of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and a direct LAMP for the specific detection of Nosema ceranae, a parasite of honey bees. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:3947-3956. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06915-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Nosema ceranae causes cellular immunosuppression and interacts with thiamethoxam to increase mortality in the stingless bee Melipona colimana. Sci Rep 2020; 10:17021. [PMID: 33046792 PMCID: PMC7550335 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-74209-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The microsporidian parasite Nosema ceranae and neonicotinoid insecticides affect the health of honey bees (Apis mellifera). However, there is limited information about the effect of these stressors on other pollinators such as stingless bees (Hymenoptera: Meliponini). We examined the separate and combined effects of N. ceranae and the neonicotinoid thiamethoxam at field-exposure levels on the survivorship and cellular immunity (hemocyte concentration) of the stingless bee Melipona colimana. Newly-emerged bees were subjected to four treatments provided in sucrose syrup: N. ceranae spores, thiamethoxam, thiamethoxam and N. ceranae, and control (bees receiving only syrup). N. ceranae developed infections of > 467,000 spores/bee in the group treated with spores only. However, in the bees subjected to both stressors, infections were < 143,000 spores/bee, likely due to an inhibitory effect of thiamethoxam on the microsporidium. N. ceranae infections did not affect bee survivorship, but thiamethoxam plus N. ceranae significantly increased mortality. Hemocyte counts were significantly lower in N. ceranae infected-bees than in the other treatments. These results suggest that N. ceranae may infect, proliferate and cause cellular immunosuppression in stingless bees, that exposure to sublethal thiamethoxam concentrations is toxic to M. colimana when infected with N. ceranae, and that thiamethoxam restrains N. ceranae proliferation. These findings have implications on pollinators' conservation.
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Cilia G, Garrido C, Bonetto M, Tesoriero D, Nanetti A. Effect of Api-Bioxal ® and ApiHerb ® Treatments against Nosema ceranae Infection in Apis mellifera Investigated by Two qPCR Methods. Vet Sci 2020; 7:vetsci7030125. [PMID: 32899611 PMCID: PMC7558000 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci7030125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Nosema ceranae is a worldwide distributed midgut parasite of western honey bees, leading to dwindling colonies and their collapse. As a treatment, only fumagillin is available, causing issues like resistance and hampered bee physiology. This study aimed to evaluate ApiHerb® and Api-Bioxal® as treatments against N. ceranae. The efficacy was tested using two qPCR methods based on the 16S rRNA and Hsp70 genes. In addition, these methods were compared for their aptitude for the quantification of the infection. For this, 19 colonies were selected based on the presence of N. ceranae infections. The colonies were divided into three groups: treated with ApiHerb, Api-Bioxal with previous queen caging and an untreated control. All colonies were sampled pre- and post-treatment. The bees were analyzed individually and in duplicate with both qPCR methods. All bees in the pre-treatment tested positive for N. ceranae. Both treatments reduced the abundance of N. ceranae, but ApiHerb also decreased the prevalence of infected bees. Analysis with the 16S rRNA method resulted in several orders of magnitude more copies than analysis with the Hsp70 method. We conclude that both products are suitable candidates for N. ceranae treatment. From our analysis, the qPCR method based on the Hsp70 gene results as more apt for the exact quantification of N. ceranae as is needed for the development of veterinary medicinal products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Cilia
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
- CREA Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment, Via di Saliceto 80, 40128 Bologna, Italy; (M.B.); (D.T.); (A.N.)
| | - Claudia Garrido
- BeeSafe-Bee Health Consulting for Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, 59071 Hamm, Germany
- Correspondence:
| | - Martina Bonetto
- CREA Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment, Via di Saliceto 80, 40128 Bologna, Italy; (M.B.); (D.T.); (A.N.)
| | - Donato Tesoriero
- CREA Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment, Via di Saliceto 80, 40128 Bologna, Italy; (M.B.); (D.T.); (A.N.)
| | - Antonio Nanetti
- CREA Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment, Via di Saliceto 80, 40128 Bologna, Italy; (M.B.); (D.T.); (A.N.)
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Abstract
Recent declines of wild pollinators and infections in honey, bumble and other bee species have raised concerns about pathogen spillover from managed honey and bumble bees to other pollinators. Parasites of honey and bumble bees include trypanosomatids and microsporidia that often exhibit low host specificity, suggesting potential for spillover to co-occurring bees via shared floral resources. However, experimental tests of trypanosomatid and microsporidial cross-infectivity outside of managed honey and bumble bees are scarce. To characterize potential cross-infectivity of honey and bumble bee-associated parasites, we inoculated three trypanosomatids and one microsporidian into five potential hosts – including four managed species – from the apid, halictid and megachilid bee families. We found evidence of cross-infection by the trypanosomatids Crithidia bombi and C. mellificae, with evidence for replication in 3/5 and 3/4 host species, respectively. These include the first reports of experimental C. bombi infection in Megachile rotundata and Osmia lignaria, and C. mellificae infection in O. lignaria and Halictus ligatus. Although inability to control amounts inoculated in O. lignaria and H. ligatus hindered estimates of parasite replication, our findings suggest a broad host range in these trypanosomatids, and underscore the need to quantify disease-mediated threats of managed social bees to sympatric pollinators.
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Krechemer FDS, Marchioro CA. Past, present and future distributions of bumblebees in South America: Identifying priority species and areas for conservation. J Appl Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Cesar Augusto Marchioro
- Postgraduate Programme in Agricultural and Natural Ecosystems Department of Agriculture, Biodiversity and Forests Federal University of Santa Catarina Santa Catarina Brazil
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Rapid Gastrointestinal Passage May Protect Bombus terrestris from Becoming a True Host for Nosema ceranae. Appl Environ Microbiol 2020; 86:AEM.00629-20. [PMID: 32276975 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00629-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Pollination provided by managed honey bees as well as by all the wild bee species is a crucial ecosystem service contributing to the conservation of biodiversity and human food security. Therefore, it is not only the health status of honey bees but also the health status of wild bees that concerns us all. In this context, recent field studies suggesting interspecies transmission of the microsporidium parasite Nosema ceranae from honey bees (Apis mellifera) to bumblebees (Bombus spp.) were alarming. On the basis of these studies, N. ceranae was identified as an emerging infectious agent (EIA) of bumblebees, although knowledge of its impact on its new host was still elusive. In order to investigate the infectivity, virulence, and pathogenesis of N. ceranae infections in bumblebees, we performed controlled laboratory exposure bioassays with Bombus terrestris by orally inoculating the bees with infectious N. ceranae spores. We comprehensively analyzed the infection status of the bees via microscopic analysis of squash preparations, PCR-based detection of N. ceranae DNA, histology of Giemsa-stained tissue sections, and species-specific fluorescence in situ hybridization. We did not find any evidence for a true infection of bumblebees by N. ceranae Through a series of experiments, we ruled out the possibility that spore infectivity, spore dosage, incubation time, or age and source of the bumblebees caused these negative results. Instead, our results clearly demonstrate that no infection and production of new spores took place in bumblebees after they ingested N. ceranae spores in our experiments. Thus, our results question the classification of N. ceranae as an emerging infectious agent for bumblebees.IMPORTANCE Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) pose a major health threat to both humans and animals. EIDs include, for instance, those that have spread into hitherto naive populations. Recently, the honey bee-specific microsporidium Nosema ceranae has been detected by molecular methods in field samples of bumblebees. This detection of N. ceranae DNA in bumblebees led to the assumption that N. ceranae infections represent an EID of bumblebees and resulted in speculations on the role of this pathogen in driving bumblebee declines. In order to address the issue of whether N. ceranae is an emerging infectious agent for bumblebees, we experimentally analyzed host susceptibility and pathogen reproduction in this new host-pathogen interaction. Surprisingly, we did not find any evidence for a true infection of Bombus terrestris by N. ceranae, questioning the classification of N. ceranae infections as EIDs of bumblebees and demonstrating that detection of microsporidian DNA does not equal detection of microsporidian infection.
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Grupe AC, Quandt CA. A growing pandemic: A review of Nosema parasites in globally distributed domesticated and native bees. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008580. [PMID: 32555676 PMCID: PMC7302437 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Arthur C. Grupe
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
| | - C. Alisha Quandt
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
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Plischuk S, Fernández de Landa G, Revainera P, Quintana S, Pocco ME, Cigliano MM, Lange CE. Parasites and pathogens associated with native bumble bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae:Bombusspp.) from highlands in Bolivia and Peru. STUDIES ON NEOTROPICAL FAUNA AND ENVIRONMENT 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/01650521.2020.1743551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Plischuk
- Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (CONICET-UNLP), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Gregorio Fernández de Landa
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales, Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente (CONICET-CIC-UNMdP), Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Pablo Revainera
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales, Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente (CONICET-CIC-UNMdP), Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Silvina Quintana
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales, Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente (CONICET-CIC-UNMdP), Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Martina E. Pocco
- Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (CONICET-UNLP), La Plata, Argentina
- División Entomología, Museo de La Plata, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | - María M. Cigliano
- Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (CONICET-UNLP), La Plata, Argentina
- División Entomología, Museo de La Plata, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Carlos E. Lange
- Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (CONICET-UNLP), La Plata, Argentina
- Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas, Provincia de Buenos Aires (CICPBA), Argentina
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Occurrence of honey bee-associated pathogens in Varroa-free pollinator communities. J Invertebr Pathol 2020; 171:107344. [PMID: 32081716 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2020.107344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Australia remains the last significant land mass free of Varroa, a parasitic mite which has caused dramatic honey bee (Apis mellifera) colony losses across the globe, due to its association with the pathogenic deformed wing virus (DWV). As such, Australia continues to maintain relatively healthy honey bee populations, despite recent work showing apiaries harbor a surprisingly high prevalence of microbial pathogens. We sought to determine the prevalence of these microbial pathogens in honey bees and native pollinators actively co-foraging on mass flowering crops and to understand the extent to which they may be shared between taxa. We found high prevalences of black queen cell virus (BQCV) and sacbrood virus (SBV) in the honey bees (88% and 41% respectively), and correspondingly, these were the most common honey bee pathogens detected in native pollinator taxa, albeit at much lower prevalence; the maximum prevalence for any pathogen in a native pollinator group was 24% (BQCV in Halictidae spp.). The viral pathogens Israeli acute paralysis virus and Lake Sinai viruses 1 and 2, and the fungal parasites Nosema apis and Nosema ceranae, were only rarely detected. Phylogenetic analyses of the most common pathogens revealed similar genotypes circulating between species. Our data suggest that, in Australian orchards, pathogen prevalence in honey bees is a good predictor of pathogen prevalence in native pollinators, which raises concerns about how the viral landscape may change in native taxa if, or when, Varroa arrives.
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35
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Kato Y, Yanagisawa T, Nakai M, Komatsu K, Inoue MN. Direct and sensitive detection of a microsporidian parasite of bumblebees using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). Sci Rep 2020; 10:1118. [PMID: 31980702 PMCID: PMC6981208 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-57909-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [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: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The reduction of bumblebee populations has been reported in the last decades, and the microsporidian parasite Nosema bombi is considered as one of the factors contributing to such reduction. Although the decline of bee populations affects both wild plants and human food supply, the effects of Nosema spp. infections are not known because it is difficult to obtain infective spores from wild bees due to their low prevalence. Microscopical observation of fecal samples or midgut homogenates and/or PCR are generally used for N. bombi detection. However, the germination rate of microsporidian spore declines if they are kept at 4 °C for a long time or frozen. It is therefore crucial to minimize the diagnosis and isolation time of infective spores from field-collected samples. Therefore, we performed a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for the direct detection of N. bombi in bumblebee midgut homogenates. Using this method, we could detect N. bombi from individuals from which it was visible under the microscope and directly from wild individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuto Kato
- Department of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-cho, Fuchu, Tokyo, 183-8509, Japan
| | - Takahiro Yanagisawa
- Department of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-cho, Fuchu, Tokyo, 183-8509, Japan
| | - Madoka Nakai
- Department of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-cho, Fuchu, Tokyo, 183-8509, Japan
| | - Ken Komatsu
- Department of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-cho, Fuchu, Tokyo, 183-8509, Japan
| | - Maki N Inoue
- Department of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-cho, Fuchu, Tokyo, 183-8509, Japan.
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Sulborska A, Horecka B, Cebrat M, Kowalczyk M, Skrzypek TH, Kazimierczak W, Trytek M, Borsuk G. Microsporidia Nosema spp. - obligate bee parasites are transmitted by air. Sci Rep 2019; 9:14376. [PMID: 31591451 PMCID: PMC6779873 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50974-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Microsporidia Nosema are transferred among bees via the faecal-oral route. Nosema spp. spores have been detected on flowers and transferred to hives along with the bee pollen. The aim of the present study was to determine whether Nosema microsporidia are transferred by air in an apiary, in a control area (without the presence of bee colonies), and/or in a laboratory during cage experiments with artificially infected bees. The novel way of transmission by air was investigated by the volumetric method using a Hirst-type aerobiological sampler located on the ground in the apiary, in the Botanical Garden and on the laboratory floor. Concurrently, the mean rate of Nosema infections in the foragers in the apiary was estimated with the Bürker haemocytometer method. Spore-trapping tapes were imaged by means of light microscopy, Nomarski interference contrast microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The highest concentration of Nosema spores per 1m3 of air (4.65) was recorded in August, while the lowest concentration (2.89) was noted in July. This was confirmed by a Real-Time PCR analysis. The presence of N. apis as well as N. ceranae was detected in each of the tested tapes from the apiary. The average copy number of N. apis was estimated at 14.4 × 104 copies per 1 cm2 of the tape; whereas the number of N. ceranae was 2.24 × 104 copies per tape per 1 cm2. The results indicate that Nosema microsporidia were transferred by the wind in the apiary, but not in the Botanical Garden and laboratory by air. This was confirmed by genetic analyses. DNA from immobilised biological material was isolated and subjected to a PCR to detect the Nosema species. A fragment of the 16S rRNA gene, characteristic of Nosema apis and N. ceranae, was detected. Our research adds knowledge about the transfer of Nosema spp. microsporidia in the natural environment and indicates the season associated with the greatest risk of a bee colony infection with Nosema spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneta Sulborska
- Department of Botany, University of Life Sciences, Akademicka 15, 20-950, Lublin, Poland
| | - Beata Horecka
- Institute of Biological Basis of Animal Production; Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950, Lublin, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Cebrat
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Immunology, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Weigla 12, 53-114, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Marek Kowalczyk
- Institute of Biological Basis of Animal Production; Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950, Lublin, Poland
| | - Tomasz H Skrzypek
- Laboratory of Confocal and Electron Microscopy, Department of Biotechnology and Environment Sciences Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Al. Kraśnicka 102, 29-718, Lublin, Poland
| | - Waldemar Kazimierczak
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, Laboratory of Biocontrol, Production and Application of EPN, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Konstantynów 1J, 20-708, Lublin, Poland
| | - Mariusz Trytek
- Department of Industrial Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Akademicka 19, 20-033, Lublin, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Borsuk
- Institute of Biological Basis of Animal Production; Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950, Lublin, Poland.
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Purkiss T, Lach L. Pathogen spillover from Apis mellifera to a stingless bee. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 286:20191071. [PMID: 31387511 PMCID: PMC6710595 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2019.1071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogen spillover from managed bees is increasingly considered as a possible cause of pollinator decline. Though spillover has been frequently documented, evidence of the pathogen's virulence in the new host or mechanism of transmission is rare. Stingless bees (Apocrita: Meliponini) are crucial pollinators pan-tropically and overlap with managed honeybees (Apis mellifera) in much of their range. Nosema ceranae is the most prevalent disease of adult A. mellifera. We used laboratory experiments and field surveys to investigate the susceptibility of stingless bees (Tetragonula hockingsi) to N. ceranae, infection prevalence and transmissibility via flowers. We found that 67% of T. hockingsi fed sucrose with N. ceranae had detectable spores in their ventriculus, and they died at 2.96 times the rate of sucrose-only fed bees. Five of six field hives harboured bees with N. ceranae present at least once during our five-month survey, with prevalence up to 20%. In our floral transmission experiment, 67% of inflorescences exposed to infected A. mellifera yielded N. ceranae spores, and all resulted in T. hockingsi with N. ceranae spores in their guts. We conclude that N. ceranae is virulent in T. hockingsi under laboratory conditions, is common in the local T. hockingsi population and is transmissible via flowers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lori Lach
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, PO Box 6811, Cairns, Queensland 4870, Australia
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Vanderplanck M, Roger N, Moerman R, Ghisbain G, Gérard M, Popowski D, Granica S, Fournier D, Meeus I, Piot N, Smagghe G, Terrana L, Michez D. Bumble bee parasite prevalence but not genetic diversity impacted by the invasive plant
Impatiens glandulifera. Ecosphere 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.2804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Maryse Vanderplanck
- Research Institute for Biosciences Laboratory of Zoology University of Mons Place du Parc 20 Mons B‐7000 Belgium
- Evo‐Eco‐Paleo ‐ UMR 8198 CNRS Université de Lille Lille F‐59000 France
| | - Nathalie Roger
- Research Institute for Biosciences Laboratory of Zoology University of Mons Place du Parc 20 Mons B‐7000 Belgium
| | - Romain Moerman
- Research Institute for Biosciences Laboratory of Zoology University of Mons Place du Parc 20 Mons B‐7000 Belgium
- Evolutionary Biology and Ecology Université libre de Bruxelles Av. F.D. Roosevelt 50 Brussels B‐1000 Belgium
| | - Guillaume Ghisbain
- Research Institute for Biosciences Laboratory of Zoology University of Mons Place du Parc 20 Mons B‐7000 Belgium
| | - Maxence Gérard
- Research Institute for Biosciences Laboratory of Zoology University of Mons Place du Parc 20 Mons B‐7000 Belgium
| | - Dominik Popowski
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Molecular Basis of Phytotherapy Medical University of Warsaw Banacha 1 Warsaw 02‐097 Poland
| | - Sebastian Granica
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Molecular Basis of Phytotherapy Medical University of Warsaw Banacha 1 Warsaw 02‐097 Poland
| | - Denis Fournier
- Evolutionary Biology and Ecology Université libre de Bruxelles Av. F.D. Roosevelt 50 Brussels B‐1000 Belgium
| | - Ivan Meeus
- Department of Crop Protection Faculty of Bioscience Engineering Laboratory of Agrozoology Ghent University Coupure Links 653 Ghent B‐9000 Belgium
| | - Niels Piot
- Department of Crop Protection Faculty of Bioscience Engineering Laboratory of Agrozoology Ghent University Coupure Links 653 Ghent B‐9000 Belgium
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Department of Crop Protection Faculty of Bioscience Engineering Laboratory of Agrozoology Ghent University Coupure Links 653 Ghent B‐9000 Belgium
| | - Lucas Terrana
- Research Institute for Biosciences Biology of Marine Organisms and Biomimetics University of Mons Place du Parc 20 Mons B‐7000 Belgium
| | - Denis Michez
- Research Institute for Biosciences Laboratory of Zoology University of Mons Place du Parc 20 Mons B‐7000 Belgium
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Sinpoo C, Disayathanoowat T, Williams PH, Chantawannakul P. Prevalence of infection by the microsporidian Nosema spp. in native bumblebees (Bombus spp.) in northern Thailand. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0213171. [PMID: 30845178 PMCID: PMC6405097 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Bumblebees (tribe Bombini, genus Bombus Latreille) play a pivotal role as pollinators in mountain regions for both native plants and for agricultural systems. In our survey of northern Thailand, four species of bumblebees (Bombus (Megabombus) montivagus Smith, B. (Alpigenobombus) breviceps Smith, B. (Orientalibombus) haemorrhoidalis Smith and B. (Melanobombus) eximius Smith), were present in 11 localities in 4 provinces (Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai and Nan). We collected and screened 280 foraging worker bumblebees for microsporidia (Nosema spp.) and trypanosomes (Crithidia spp.). Our study is the first to demonstrate the parasite infection in bumblebees in northern Thailand. We found N. ceranae in B. montivagus (5.35%), B. haemorrhoidalis (4.76%), and B. breviceps (14.28%) and N. bombi in B. montivagus (14.28%), B. haemorrhoidalis (11.64%), and B. breviceps (28.257%).
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Affiliation(s)
- Chainarong Sinpoo
- Bee Protection Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Graduate School, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Terd Disayathanoowat
- Bee Protection Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Paul H. Williams
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
| | - Panuwan Chantawannakul
- Bee Protection Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Environmental Science Research Center (ESRC), Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
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Wojcik VA, Morandin LA, Davies Adams L, Rourke KE. Floral Resource Competition Between Honey Bees and Wild Bees: Is There Clear Evidence and Can We Guide Management and Conservation? ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY 2018; 47:822-833. [PMID: 29873687 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvy077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Supporting managed honey bees by pasturing in natural landscapes has come under review due to concerns that honey bees could negatively impact the survival of wild bees through competition for floral resources. Critique and assessment of the existing body of published literature against our criteria focussing on studies that can support best management resulted in 19 experimental papers. Indirect measures of competition examining foraging patterns and behavior yielded equivocal results. Direct measures of reproduction and growth were investigated in only seven studies, with six indicating negative impacts to wild bees from the presence of managed honey bees. Three of these studies examined fitness impacts to BombusLatreille and all three indicated reduced growth or reduced reproductive output. Because there is a severe lack of literature, yet potential that honey bee presence could negatively impact wild bees, exemplified with bumble bee studies, we advocate for further research into the fitness impacts of competition between managed and wild pollinators. Conservative approaches should be taken with respect to pasturing honey bees on natural lands with sensitive bumble bee populations. Correspondingly, forage opportunities for honey bees in managed, agricultural landscapes, should be increased in an effort to reduce potential pressure and infringement on wild bee populations in natural areas.
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Pan G, Bao J, Ma Z, Song Y, Han B, Ran M, Li C, Zhou Z. Invertebrate host responses to microsporidia infections. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 83:104-113. [PMID: 29428490 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2018.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Revised: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Microsporidia are a group of fungi-like intracellular and unicellular parasites, which infect nearly all animals. As "master parasites", over 1400 microsporidian species have been described to date. Microsporidia infections in economical invertebrates (e.g., silkworm, shrimp) cause huge financial losses, while other microsporidia infections in daphnia, nematode, locust, honeybee and mosquito play important roles in the regulation of their population size. Research investigating invertebrate host responses following microsporidia infections has yielded numerous interesting results, especially pertaining to the innate immune response to these pathogens. In this review, we comparatively summarize the invertebrate host responses to various microsporidia infections. We discuss numerous critical events in host responses including ubiquitin-mediated resistance, production of reactive oxygen species, melanization and innate immune pathways, and the increased basic metabolism and the accumulation of juvenile hormone in infected hosts. Recent studies progressing our understanding of microsporidia infection are also highlighted. Collectively, these advances shed more light on general rules of invertebrate host immune responses and pathogenesis mechanisms of microsporidia, and concurrently offer valuable clues for further research on the crosstalk between hosts and intracellular pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoqing Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, PR China
| | - Jialing Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, PR China
| | - Zhengang Ma
- College of Life Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing 401331, PR China
| | - Yue Song
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, PR China
| | - Bing Han
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, PR China
| | - Maoshuang Ran
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, PR China
| | - Chunfeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, PR China
| | - Zeyang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, PR China; College of Life Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing 401331, PR China.
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Martín-Hernández R, Bartolomé C, Chejanovsky N, Le Conte Y, Dalmon A, Dussaubat C, García-Palencia P, Meana A, Pinto MA, Soroker V, Higes M. Nosema ceranaeinApis mellifera: a 12 years postdetectionperspective. Environ Microbiol 2018; 20:1302-1329. [DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.14103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Revised: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Martín-Hernández
- Laboratorio de Patología Apícola. Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental de Marchamalo, (CIAPA-IRIAF), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha; Marchamalo Spain
- Instituto de Recursos Humanos para la Ciencia y la Tecnología (INCRECYT-FEDER), Fundación Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Castilla - La Mancha; Spain
| | - Carolina Bartolomé
- Medicina Xenómica, CIMUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Xenómica Comparada de Parásitos Humanos, IDIS, 15782 Santiago de Compostela; Galicia Spain
| | - Nor Chejanovsky
- Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center; Rishon LeZion Israel
| | - Yves Le Conte
- INRA, UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement; F-84000 Avignon France
| | - Anne Dalmon
- INRA, UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement; F-84000 Avignon France
| | | | | | - Aranzazu Meana
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid; Spain
| | - M. Alice Pinto
- Mountain Research Centre (CIMO), Polytechnic Institute of Bragança; 5300-253 Bragança Portugal
| | - Victoria Soroker
- Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center; Rishon LeZion Israel
| | - Mariano Higes
- Laboratorio de Patología Apícola. Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental de Marchamalo, (CIAPA-IRIAF), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha; Marchamalo Spain
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Porrini MP, Porrini LP, Garrido PM, de Melo E Silva Neto C, Porrini DP, Muller F, Nuñez LA, Alvarez L, Iriarte PF, Eguaras MJ. Nosema ceranae in South American Native Stingless Bees and Social Wasp. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2017; 74:761-764. [PMID: 28389730 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-017-0975-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Besides the incipient research effort, the role of parasites as drivers of the reduction affecting pollinator populations is mostly unknown. Given the worldwide extension of the beekeeping practice and the diversity of pathogens affecting Apis mellifera populations, honey bee colonies are a certain source of parasite dispersion to other species. Here, we communicate the detection of the microsporidium Nosema ceranae, a relatively new parasite of honey bees, in stingless bees (Meliponini) and the social wasp Polybia scutellaris (Vespidae) samples from Argentina and Brazil by means of duplex PCR. Beyond the geographic location of the nests, N. ceranae was detected in seven from the eight Meliponini species analyzed, while Nosema apis, another common parasite of A. mellifera, was absent in all samples tested. Further research is necessary to determine if the presence of the parasite is also associated with established infection in host tissues. The obtained information enriches the current knowledge about pathologies that can infect or, at least, be vectored by native wild pollinators from South America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martín Pablo Porrini
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Funes 3350, 7600, Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Leonardo Pablo Porrini
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Funes 3350, 7600, Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paula Melisa Garrido
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Funes 3350, 7600, Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carlos de Melo E Silva Neto
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnólogia de Goiás, Quartel do XX, Praça Brasil Ramos Caiado, 76600.000, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Darío Pablo Porrini
- GENEBSO, INBIOTEC, UNMdP, CONICET, Funes 3350, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Fernando Muller
- Centro de Cría y mejoramiento de abejas "Erich Karl Faltus", N° 111009, Calle J. M. Estrada N°210, N3233, Capioví, Argentina
| | - Laura Alejandra Nuñez
- Laboratorio de Industrias Alimenticias, Universidad Nacional del Chaco Austral, Cdte. Fernandez 755, 3700, Pres. R. Sáenz Peña, Argentina
| | - Leopoldo Alvarez
- División Entomología, Museo de La Plata, CONICET, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Edificio Anexo Museo, Unidades de Investigación FCN yM, 122 y 60, 1900FWA, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Pedro Fernandez Iriarte
- Laboratorio de Genética, Dto. de Biología, CONICET, UNMdP, Funes 3350, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Martín Javier Eguaras
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Funes 3350, 7600, Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Brown MJF. Microsporidia: An Emerging Threat to Bumblebees? Trends Parasitol 2017; 33:754-762. [PMID: 28663099 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2017.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Revised: 06/05/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Microsporidia may cause emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) in bumblebees. Two drivers - commercial bumblebees and managed honey bees - have been identified as possible sources of pathogen spillover. In addition, declines in bumblebee populations may have led to lower genetic diversity and subsequent higher susceptibility to infection, enabling microsporidia to increase in prevalence. There is strong evidence for relatively recent increases in the prevalence of Nosema bombi in North America. However, the lack of definitive data on spillover by microsporidia, in North America or elsewhere, makes it difficult to identify the causes of such increases. Phylogenomic studies are urgently needed to identify the global population structure of microsporidia in bumblebees, and thus identify the source of current and future epidemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J F Brown
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, TW20 0EX, UK.
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Viruses of managed alfalfa leafcutting bees ( Megachille rotundata Fabricus) and honey bees ( Apis mellifera L.) in Western Canada: Incidence, impacts, and prospects of cross-species viral transmission. J Invertebr Pathol 2017; 146:24-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2017.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2016] [Revised: 03/04/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Plischuk S, Antúnez K, Haramboure M, Minardi GM, Lange CE. Long-term prevalence of the protists Crithidia bombi and Apicystis bombi and detection of the microsporidium Nosema bombi in invasive bumble bees. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2017; 9:169-173. [PMID: 28085231 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.12520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 01/02/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
An initial survey in 2009 carried out at a site in northwestern Patagonia region, Argentina, revealed for the first time in South America the presence of the flagellate Crithidia bombi and the neogregarine Apicystis bombi, two pathogens associated with the Palaearctic invasive bumble bee Bombus terrestris. In order to determine the long-term persistence and dynamics of this microparasite complex, four additional collections at the same site (San Carlos de Bariloche) were conducted along the following seven years. Both protists were detected in all collections: prevalence was 2%-21.6% for C. bombi and 1.2%-14% for A. bombi. In addition, the microsporidium Nosema bombi was recorded for the first time in the country in the last two collections, at prevalences of 12.4% and 2.4% and unusually high infection intensities (Average = 6.56 × 107 spores per individual). Due to the exceptional dispersal ability of the exotic B. terrestris, these three multihost pathogens should be considered as potential threats to South American native bumble bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Plischuk
- Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (CONICET - UNLP), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Karina Antúnez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas "Clemente Estable,", Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Marina Haramboure
- Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (CONICET - UNLP), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Graciela M Minardi
- Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (CONICET - UNLP), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Carlos E Lange
- Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (CONICET - UNLP), La Plata, Argentina
- Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CICPBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Ansari MJ, Al-Ghamdi A, Nuru A, Khan KA, Alattal Y. Geographical distribution and molecular detection of Nosema ceranae from indigenous honey bees of Saudi Arabia. Saudi J Biol Sci 2017; 24:983-991. [PMID: 28663692 PMCID: PMC5478367 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2017.01.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2017] [Revised: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the study was to detect the infection level of honey bees with Nosema apis and/or Nosema ceranae using microscopic and molecular analysis from indigenous honeybee race of eight Saudi Arabian geographical regions. A detailed survey was conducted and fifty apiaries were chosen at random from these locations. Infection level was determined both by microscope and Multiplex-PCR and data were analyzed using bioinformatics tools and phylogenetic analysis. Result showed that N. ceranae was the only species infecting indigenous honeybee colonies in Saudi Arabia. As determined by microscope, Nosema spores were found to be in 20.59% of total samples colonies, while 58% of the samples evaluated by PCR were found to be positive for N. ceranae, with the highest prevalence in Al-Bahah, a tropical wet and dry climatic region, whereas low prevalence was found in the regions with hot arid climate. Honeybees from all eight locations surveyed were positive for N. ceranae. This is the first report about the N. ceranae detection, contamination level and distribution pattern in Saudi Arabia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Javed Ansari
- Bee Research Chair, Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, PO Box 2460, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad Al-Ghamdi
- Bee Research Chair, Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, PO Box 2460, Saudi Arabia
| | - Adgaba Nuru
- Bee Research Chair, Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, PO Box 2460, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalid Ali Khan
- Bee Research Chair, Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, PO Box 2460, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yehya Alattal
- Bee Research Chair, Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, PO Box 2460, Saudi Arabia
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Dolezal AG, Hendrix SD, Scavo NA, Carrillo-Tripp J, Harris MA, Wheelock MJ, O’Neal ME, Toth AL. Honey Bee Viruses in Wild Bees: Viral Prevalence, Loads, and Experimental Inoculation. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0166190. [PMID: 27832169 PMCID: PMC5104440 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0166190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2016] [Accepted: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence of inter-species pathogen transmission from managed to wild bees has sparked concern that emerging diseases could be causing or exacerbating wild bee declines. While some pathogens, like RNA viruses, have been found in pollen and wild bees, the threat these viruses pose to wild bees is largely unknown. Here, we tested 169 bees, representing 4 families and 8 genera, for five common honey bee (Apis mellifera) viruses, finding that more than 80% of wild bees harbored at least one virus. We also quantified virus titers in these bees, providing, for the first time, an assessment of viral load in a broad spectrum of wild bees. Although virus detection was very common, virus levels in the wild bees were minimal—similar to or lower than foraging honey bees and substantially lower than honey bees collected from hives. Furthermore, when we experimentally inoculated adults of two different bee species (Megachile rotundata and Colletes inaequalis) with a mixture of common viruses that is lethal to honey bees, we saw no effect on short term survival. Overall, we found that honey bee RNA viruses can be commonly detected at low levels in many wild bee species, but we found no evidence that these pathogens cause elevated short-term mortality effects. However, more work on these viruses is greatly needed to assess effects on additional bee species and life stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam G. Dolezal
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Stephen D. Hendrix
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Nicole A. Scavo
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Jimena Carrillo-Tripp
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Mary A. Harris
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - M. Joseph Wheelock
- Department of Entomology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Matthew E. O’Neal
- Department of Entomology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Amy L. Toth
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
- Department of Entomology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
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Sagastume S, Martín-Hernández R, Higes M, Henriques-Gil N. Genotype diversity in the honey bee parasite Nosema ceranae: multi-strain isolates, cryptic sex or both? BMC Evol Biol 2016; 16:216. [PMID: 27756211 PMCID: PMC5069816 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-016-0797-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There is great controversy as to whether Microsporidia undergo a sexual cycle. In the paradigmatic case of Nosema ceranae, although there is no morphological evidence of sex, some meiosis-specific genes are present in its reduced genome and there is also high intraspecific variability, with incongruent phylogenies having been systematically obtained. The possibility of sexual recombination is important from an epidemiological standpoint, particularly as N. ceranae is considered to be a major factor in the current disquieting epidemic of widespread bee colony losses. This parasite apparently originated in oriental honey bees, spreading out of Asia and Australia to infect honey bees worldwide. This study had three main objectives: i) to obtain genetic markers that are not part of known multi-copy arrays for strain determination; ii) to shed light on the intraspecific variability and recombination of N. ceranae; and iii) to assess the variability in N. ceranae populations. The answers to these questions are critical to understand the capacity of adaptation of microsporidia. Results Biallelic polymorphisms were detected at a number of specific points in the five coding loci analyzed from European and Australian isolates of N. ceranae. Heterozygous genotypes were abundant and cloning experiments demonstrate that they reflect the existence of multiple alternative sequences in each isolate. The comparisons of different clones and genotypes clearly indicate that new haplotypes are generated by homologous recombination. Conclusions The N. ceranae isolates from honey bees correspond to genotypically distinct populations, revealing that individual honey bees may not be infected by a particular clone but rather, a pool of different strains. Homologous recombination implies the existence of a cryptic sex cycle yet to be described in N. ceranae. There are no diagnostic alleles associated with Australian or European origins, nor are there differences between the two hosts, A. cerana and A. mellifera, supporting the absence of biological barriers for N. ceranae transmission. Diversity is high among microsporidia of both these origins, and the maintenance of a high heterozygosis in the recently invaded European populations, could hypothetically underlie the stronger virulence of N. ceranae observed in A. mellifera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soledad Sagastume
- Centro Apícola Regional, Bee Pathology Laboratory, 19180, Marchamalo, Guadalajara, Spain.
| | - Raquel Martín-Hernández
- Centro Apícola Regional, Bee Pathology Laboratory, 19180, Marchamalo, Guadalajara, Spain.,Instituto de Recursos Humanos para la Ciencia y la Tecnología (INCRECYT), Parque Científico de Albacete, Spain
| | - Mariano Higes
- Centro Apícola Regional, Bee Pathology Laboratory, 19180, Marchamalo, Guadalajara, Spain
| | - Nuno Henriques-Gil
- Departamento de Ciencias Médicas Básicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad CEU San Pablo, Campus de Montepríncipe, 28668, Madrid, Spain
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50
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Kurze C, Routtu J, Moritz RF. Parasite resistance and tolerance in honeybees at the individual and social level. ZOOLOGY 2016; 119:290-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2016.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2015] [Revised: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 03/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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