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Moore LD, Ballinger MJ. The toxins of vertically transmitted Spiroplasma. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1148263. [PMID: 37275155 PMCID: PMC10232968 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1148263] [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: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Vertically transmitted (VT) microbial symbionts play a vital role in the evolution of their insect hosts. A longstanding question in symbiont research is what genes help promote long-term stability of vertically transmitted lifestyles. Symbiont success in insect hosts is due in part to expression of beneficial or manipulative phenotypes that favor symbiont persistence in host populations. In Spiroplasma, these phenotypes have been linked to toxin and virulence domains among a few related strains. However, these domains also appear frequently in phylogenetically distant Spiroplasma, and little is known about their distribution across the Spiroplasma genus. In this study, we present the complete genome sequence of the Spiroplasma symbiont of Drosophila atripex, a non-manipulating member of the Ixodetis clade of Spiroplasma, for which genomic data are still limited. We perform a genus-wide comparative analysis of toxin domains implicated in defensive and reproductive phenotypes. From 12 VT and 31 non-VT Spiroplasma genomes, ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs), OTU-like cysteine proteases (OTUs), ankyrins, and ETX/MTX2 domains show high propensity for VT Spiroplasma compared to non-VT Spiroplasma. Specifically, OTU and ankyrin domains can be found only in VT-Spiroplasma, and RIP domains are found in all VT Spiroplasma and three non-VT Spiroplasma. These domains are frequently associated with Spiroplasma plasmids, suggesting a possible mechanism for dispersal and maintenance among heritable strains. Searching insect genome assemblies available on public databases uncovered uncharacterized Spiroplasma genomes from which we identified several spaid-like genes encoding RIP, OTU, and ankyrin domains, suggesting functional interactions among those domain types. Our results suggest a conserved core of symbiont domains play an important role in the evolution and persistence of VT Spiroplasma in insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan D. Moore
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, United States
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2
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Csata E, Casacci LP, Ruther J, Bernadou A, Heinze J, Markó B. Non-lethal fungal infection could reduce aggression towards strangers in ants. Commun Biol 2023; 6:183. [PMID: 36797462 PMCID: PMC9935638 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04541-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Many parasites interfere with the behaviour of their hosts. In social animals, such as ants, parasitic interference can cause changes on the level of the individual and also on the level of the society. The ant-parasitic fungus Rickia wasmannii influences the behaviour of Myrmica ants by expanding the host's nestmate recognition template, thereby increasing the chance of the colony accepting infected non-nestmates. Infected ants consistently show an increase of the alkane tricosane (n-C23) in their cuticular hydrocarbon profiles. Although experimental application of single compounds often elicits aggression towards manipulated ants, we hypothesized that the increase of n-C23 might underlie the facilitated acceptance of infected non-nestmates. To test this, we mimicked fungal infection in M. scabrinodis by applying synthetic n-C23 to fresh ant corpses and observed the reaction of infected and uninfected workers to control and manipulated corpses. Infected ants appeared to be more peaceful towards infected but not uninfected non-nestmates. Adding n-C23 to uninfected corpses resulted in reduced aggression in uninfected ants. This supports the hypothesis that n-C23 acts as a 'pacifying' signal. Our study indicates that parasitic interference with the nestmate discrimination of host ants might eventually change colony structure by increasing genetic heterogeneity in infected colonies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enikő Csata
- Institute for Zoology, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, D-93040, Regensburg, Germany. .,Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Babeș-Bolyai University, Clinicilor 5-7, 400006, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Luca Pietro Casacci
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123, Torino, Italy.
| | - Joachim Ruther
- grid.7727.50000 0001 2190 5763Institute for Zoology, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, D‐93040 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Abel Bernadou
- grid.7727.50000 0001 2190 5763Institute for Zoology, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, D‐93040 Regensburg, Germany ,grid.15781.3a0000 0001 0723 035XCentre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale (CRCA), Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Jürgen Heinze
- grid.7727.50000 0001 2190 5763Institute for Zoology, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, D‐93040 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Bálint Markó
- grid.7399.40000 0004 1937 1397Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Babeș-Bolyai University, Clinicilor 5-7, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania ,grid.7399.40000 0004 1937 13973B Centre for Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, Clinicilor 5-7, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Jackson R, Patapiou PA, Golding G, Helanterä H, Economou CK, Chapuisat M, Henry LM. Evidence of phylosymbiosis in Formica ants. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1044286. [PMID: 37213490 PMCID: PMC10196114 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1044286] [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: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Insects share intimate relationships with microbes that play important roles in their biology. Yet our understanding of how host-bound microbial communities assemble and perpetuate over evolutionary time is limited. Ants host a wide range of microbes with diverse functions and are an emerging model for studying the evolution of insect microbiomes. Here, we ask whether phylogenetically related ant species have formed distinct and stable microbiomes. Methods To answer this question, we investigated the microbial communities associated with queens of 14 Formica species from five clades, using deep coverage 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Results We reveal that Formica species and clades harbor highly defined microbial communities that are dominated by four bacteria genera: Wolbachia, Lactobacillus, Liliensternia, and Spiroplasma. Our analysis reveals that the composition of Formica microbiomes mirrors the phylogeny of the host, i.e., phylosymbiosis, in that related hosts harbor more similar microbial communities. In addition, we find there are significant correlations between microbe co-occurrences. Discussion Our results demonstrate Formica ants carry microbial communities that recapitulate the phylogeny of their hosts. Our data suggests that the co-occurrence of different bacteria genera may at least in part be due to synergistic and antagonistic interactions between microbes. Additional factors potentially contributing to the phylosymbiotic signal are discussed, including host phylogenetic relatedness, host-microbe genetic compatibility, modes of transmission, and similarities in host ecologies (e.g., diets). Overall, our results support the growing body of evidence that microbial community composition closely depends on the phylogeny of their hosts, despite bacteria having diverse modes of transmission and localization within the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphaella Jackson
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Patapios A. Patapiou
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Gemma Golding
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Heikki Helanterä
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki, Hanko, Finland
| | - Chloe K. Economou
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michel Chapuisat
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Lee M. Henry
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Lee M. Henry,
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Ishaq SL, Hotopp A, Silverbrand S, Dumont JE, Michaud A, MacRae JD, Stock SP, Groden E. Bacterial transfer from Pristionchus entomophagus nematodes to the invasive ant Myrmica rubra and the potential for colony mortality in coastal Maine. iScience 2021; 24:102663. [PMID: 34169239 PMCID: PMC8209277 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The necromenic nematode Pristionchus entomophagus has been frequently found in nests of the invasive European ant Myrmica rubra in coastal Maine, United States, and may contribute to ant mortality and collapse of colonies by transferring environmental bacteria. Paenibacillus and several other bacterial species were found in the digestive tracts of nematodes harvested from collapsed ant colonies. Serratia marcescens, Serratia nematodiphila, and Pseudomonas fluorescens were collected from the hemolymph of nematode-infected wax moth (Galleria mellonella) larvae. Virulence against waxworms varied by the site of origin of the nematodes. In adult nematodes, bacteria were highly concentrated in the digestive tract with none observed on the cuticle. In contrast, juveniles had more on the cuticle than in the digestive tract. Host species was the primary factor affecting bacterial community profiles, but Spiroplasma sp. and Serratia marcescens sequences were shared across ants, nematodes, and nematode-exposed G. mellonella larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne L. Ishaq
- School of Food and Agriculture, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA
- Corresponding author
| | - Alice Hotopp
- School of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA
| | | | - Jonathan E. Dumont
- College of Science and Humanities, Husson University, Bangor, ME 04401, USA
| | - Amy Michaud
- Department of Entomology & Nematology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Jean D. MacRae
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA
| | - S. Patricia Stock
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Eleanor Groden
- School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA
- Corresponding author
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Scarparo G, Rugman-Jones P, Gebiola M, Giulio AD, McFrederick QS. First screening of bacterial communities of Microdon myrmicae and its ant host: do microbes facilitate the invasion of ant colonies by social parasites? Basic Appl Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2020.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Host Species Determines the Composition of the Prokaryotic Microbiota in Phlebotomus Sandflies. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9060428. [PMID: 32485988 PMCID: PMC7350354 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9060428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Phlebotomine sandflies are vectors of the humans' and mammals' parasite Leishmania spp. Although the role of gut microbiome in the biological cycle of insects is acknowledged, we still know little about the factors modulating the composition of the gut microbiota of sandflies. We tested whether host species impose a strong structural effect on the gut microbiota of Phlebotomus spp. Sandflies were collected from the island of Leros, Greece, and classified to P. papatasi, P. neglectus, P. tobbi, and P. similis, all being negative to Leishmania spp. The prokaryotic gut microbiota was determined via 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Phlebotomus species supported distinct microbial communities (p < 0.001). P. papatasi microbiota was the most distinct over-dominated by three Spiroplasma, Wolbachia and Paenibacillus operational taxonomic units (OTUs), while another Wolbachia OTU prevailed in P. neglectus. Conversely, the microbiota of P. tobbi and P. similis was composed of several less dominant OTUs. Archaea showed low presence with the dominant OTUs belonging to methanogenic Euryarcheota, ammonia-oxidizing Thaumarcheota, and Nanoarchaeota. We provide first insights into the composition of the bacterial and archaeal community of Phlebotomus sandflies and showed that, in the absence of Leishmania, host genotype is the major modulator of Phlebotomus sandfly gut microbiota.
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Renoz F, Pons I, Hance T. Evolutionary responses of mutualistic insect-bacterial symbioses in a world of fluctuating temperatures. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2019; 35:20-26. [PMID: 31302355 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2019.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is altering the abundance and distribution of millions of insect species around the world and is a major contributor to the decline of numerous species. Many insect species may be indirectly affected through their nutritional dependence on mutualistic bacteria. Indeed, these bacterial partners generally have a highly reduced and static genome, resulting from millions of years of coevolution and isolation in insect cells, and have limited adaptive capacity. The dependence of insects on bacterial partners with narrow environmental tolerance also restricts their ability to adapt, potentially increasing the risk of their extinction, particularly in a world characterized by increasing and fluctuating temperatures. In this review, we examine how climate change can affect the evolutionary trajectories of bacterial mutualism in insects by considering the possible alternatives that may compensate for the dependence on bacterial partners that have become 'Achilles' heels'. We also discuss the beneficial and compensatory effects, as well as the antagonistic effects associated with so-called facultative symbionts in the context of an increased incidence of transient extreme temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- François Renoz
- Université catholique de Louvain, Earth and Life Institute, Biodiversity Research Center, Croix de Sud 4-5, bte L7.07.04, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
| | - Inès Pons
- Université catholique de Louvain, Earth and Life Institute, Biodiversity Research Center, Croix de Sud 4-5, bte L7.07.04, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Thierry Hance
- Université catholique de Louvain, Earth and Life Institute, Biodiversity Research Center, Croix de Sud 4-5, bte L7.07.04, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
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Mathé‐Hubert H, Kaech H, Hertaeg C, Jaenike J, Vorburger C. Nonrandom associations of maternally transmitted symbionts in insects: The roles of drift versus biased cotransmission and selection. Mol Ecol 2019; 28:5330-5346. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.15206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Mathé‐Hubert
- Eawag Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology Dübendorf Switzerland
| | - Heidi Kaech
- Eawag Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology Dübendorf Switzerland
- Institute of Integrative Biology Department of Environmental Systems Science ETH Zürich Zürich Switzerland
| | - Corinne Hertaeg
- Eawag Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology Dübendorf Switzerland
- Institute of Agricultural Sciences Department of Environmental Systems Science ETH Zürich Zürich Switzerland
| | - John Jaenike
- Department of Biology University of Rochester Rochester NY USA
| | - Christoph Vorburger
- Eawag Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology Dübendorf Switzerland
- Institute of Integrative Biology Department of Environmental Systems Science ETH Zürich Zürich Switzerland
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9
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Bing XL, Zhao DS, Hong XY. Bacterial reproductive manipulators in rice planthoppers. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2019; 101:e21548. [PMID: 30912174 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Rice planthoppers (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) are notorious pests for rice (Oryza sativa) in Asia, posing a serious threat to rice production and grain security. Rice planthoppers harbor diverse bacterial symbionts, including Wolbachia, Cardinium, Spiroplasma, and Arsenophonus, which are known to manipulate reproduction in arthropod hosts. This microreview is to introduce current knowledge of bacterial reproductive manipulators in rice planthoppers, including their diversity, population dynamics, localization, transmission, and biological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Li Bing
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dian-Shu Zhao
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiao-Yue Hong
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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10
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Haelewaters D, Boer P, Báthori F, Rádai Z, Reboleira ASP, Tartally A, Pfliegler WP, De Kesel A, Nedvěd O. Studies of Laboulbeniales on Myrmica ants (IV): host-related diversity and thallus distribution patterns of Rickia wasmannii. Parasite 2019; 26:29. [PMID: 31106730 PMCID: PMC6526729 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2019028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 04/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal species identities are often based on morphological features, but current molecular phylogenetic and other approaches almost always lead to the discovery of multiple species in single morpho-species. According to the morphological species concept, the ant-parasitic fungus Rickia wasmannii (Ascomycota, Laboulbeniales) is a single species with pan-European distribution and a wide host range. Since its description, it has been reported from ten species of Myrmica (Hymenoptera, Formicidae), of which two belong to the rubra-group and the other eight to the phylogenetically distinct scabrinodis-group. We found evidence for R. wasmannii being a single phylogenetic species using sequence data from two loci. Apparently, the original morphological description (dating back to 1899) represents a single phylogenetic species. Furthermore, the biology and host-parasite interactions of R. wasmannii are not likely to be affected by genetic divergence among different populations of the fungus, implying comparability among studies conducted on members of different ant populations. We found no differences in total thallus number on workers between Myrmica species, but we did observe differences in the pattern of thallus distribution over the body. The locus of infection is the frontal side of the head in Myrmica rubra and M. sabuleti whereas in M. scabrinodis the locus of infection differs between worker ants from Hungary (gaster tergites) and the Netherlands (frontal head). Possible explanations for these observations are differences among host species and among populations of the same species in (i) how ant workers come into contact with the fungus, (ii) grooming efficacy, and (iii) cuticle surface characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danny Haelewaters
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Farlow Reference Library and Herbarium of Cryptogamic Botany, Harvard University 22 Divinity Avenue Cambridge MA
02138 USA
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Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia Branišovská 31 37005
České Budějovice Czech Republic
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Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University 915 W. State Street West Lafayette IN
47907 USA
| | - Peter Boer
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Gemene Bos 12 1861 HG
Bergen The Netherlands
| | - Ferenc Báthori
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Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen Egyetem tér 1 4032
Debrecen Hungary
| | - Zoltán Rádai
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Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen Egyetem tér 1 4032
Debrecen Hungary
| | - Ana Sofia P.S. Reboleira
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Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen Universitetsparken 15 2100
København Ø Denmark
| | - András Tartally
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Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen Egyetem tér 1 4032
Debrecen Hungary
| | - Walter P. Pfliegler
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Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Debrecen Egyetem tér 1 4032
Debrecen Hungary
| | | | - Oldřich Nedvěd
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Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia Branišovská 31 37005
České Budějovice Czech Republic
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Szenteczki MA, Pitteloud C, Casacci LP, Kešnerová L, Whitaker MR, Engel P, Vila R, Alvarez N. Bacterial communities within Phengaris (Maculinea) alcon caterpillars are shifted following transition from solitary living to social parasitism of Myrmica ant colonies. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:4452-4464. [PMID: 31031919 PMCID: PMC6476763 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Revised: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial symbionts are known to facilitate a wide range of physiological processes and ecological interactions for their hosts. In spite of this, caterpillars with highly diverse life histories appear to lack resident microbiota. Gut physiology, endogenous digestive enzymes, and limited social interactions may contribute to this pattern, but the consequences of shifts in social activity and diet on caterpillar microbiota are largely unknown. Phengaris alcon caterpillars undergo particularly dramatic social and dietary shifts when they parasitize Myrmica ant colonies, rapidly transitioning from solitary herbivory to ant tending (i.e., receiving protein-rich regurgitations through trophallaxis). This unique life history provides a model for studying interactions between social living, diet, and caterpillar microbiota. Here, we characterized and compared bacterial communities within P. alcon caterpillars before and after their association with ants, using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and quantitative PCR. After being adopted by ants, bacterial communities within P. alcon caterpillars shifted substantially, with a significant increase in alpha diversity and greater consistency in bacterial community composition in terms of beta dissimilarity. We also characterized the bacterial communities within their host ants (Myrmica schencki), food plant (Gentiana cruciata), and soil from ant nest chambers. These data indicated that the aforementioned patterns were influenced by bacteria derived from caterpillars' surrounding environments, rather than through transfers from ants. Thus, while bacterial communities are substantially reorganized over the life cycle of P. alcon caterpillars, it appears that they do not rely on transfers of bacteria from host ants to complete their development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A. Szenteczki
- Department of Ecology and EvolutionUniversity of LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
| | - Camille Pitteloud
- Department of Ecology and EvolutionUniversity of LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
- Present address:
Department of Environmental Systems SciencesInstitute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, ETHZZürichSwitzerland
| | - Luca P. Casacci
- Museum and Institute of ZoologyPolish Academy of SciencesWarsawPoland
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems BiologyUniversity of TurinTurinItaly
| | - Lucie Kešnerová
- Department of Fundamental MicrobiologyUniversity of LausanneSwitzerland
| | | | - Philipp Engel
- Department of Fundamental MicrobiologyUniversity of LausanneSwitzerland
| | - Roger Vila
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC‐UPF)BarcelonaSpain
| | - Nadir Alvarez
- Department of Ecology and EvolutionUniversity of LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
- Unit of Research and CollectionsMuseum of Natural HistoryGenevaSwitzerland
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12
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Ballinger MJ, Gawryluk RMR, Perlman SJ. Toxin and Genome Evolution in a Drosophila Defensive Symbiosis. Genome Biol Evol 2019; 11:253-262. [PMID: 30576446 PMCID: PMC6349354 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evy272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Defenses conferred by microbial symbionts play a vital role in the health and fitness of their animal hosts. An important outstanding question in the study of defensive symbiosis is what determines long term stability and effectiveness against diverse natural enemies. In this study, we combine genome and transcriptome sequencing, symbiont transfection and parasite protection experiments, and toxin activity assays to examine the evolution of the defensive symbiosis between Drosophila flies and their vertically transmitted Spiroplasma bacterial symbionts, focusing in particular on ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs), symbiont-encoded toxins that have been implicated in protection against both parasitic wasps and nematodes. Although many strains of Spiroplasma, including the male-killing symbiont (sMel) of Drosophila melanogaster, protect against parasitic wasps, only the strain (sNeo) that infects the mycophagous fly Drosophila neotestacea appears to protect against parasitic nematodes. We find that RIP repertoire is a major differentiating factor between strains that do and do not offer nematode protection, and that sMel RIPs do not show activity against nematode ribosomes in vivo. We also discovered a strain of Spiroplasma infecting a mycophagous phorid fly, Megaselia nigra. Although both the host and its Spiroplasma are distantly related to D. neotestacea and its symbiont, genome sequencing revealed that the M. nigra symbiont encodes abundant and diverse RIPs, including plasmid-encoded toxins that are closely related to the RIPs in sNeo. Our results suggest that distantly related Spiroplasma RIP toxins may perform specialized functions with regard to parasite specificity and suggest an important role for horizontal gene transfer in the emergence of novel defensive phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Ballinger
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS
| | - Ryan M R Gawryluk
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Steve J Perlman
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
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