scholarly journals Worker-dependent gut symbiosis in an ant

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroyuki Shimoji ◽  
Hideomi Itoh ◽  
Yu Matsuura ◽  
Rio Yamashita ◽  
Tomoyuki Hori ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Exceptional Case ◽  
Symbiotic Associations ◽  
Bacterial Symbiosis ◽  
Eusocial Insects ◽  
Reproductive Worker ◽  
Host Microbe Interactions ◽  
Microbial Symbionts ◽  
Worker Castes ◽  
Ecological Dominance ◽  
Almost All

AbstractThe hallmark of eusocial insects, honeybees, ants, and termites, is division of labor between reproductive and non-reproductive worker castes. In addition, environmental adaption and ecological dominance are also underpinned by symbiotic associations with beneficial microorganisms. Microbial symbionts are generally considered to be maintained in an insect colony in two alternative ways: shared among all colony members or inherited only by a specific caste. Especially in ants, the reproductive caste plays a crucial role in transmission of the symbionts shared among colony members over generations. Here, we report an exceptional case, the worker-dependent microbiota in an ant, Diacamma cf. indicum from Japan. By collecting almost all the individuals from 22 colonies in the field, we revealed that microbiota of workers is characterized by a single dominant bacterium localized at the hindgut. The bacterium belonging to an unclassified member within the phylum Firmicutes, which is scarce or mostly absent in the reproductive castes. Furthermore, we show that the gut symbiont is acquired at the adult stage. Collectively, our findings strongly suggest that the specific symbiont is maintained by only workers, demonstrating a novel pattern of ant-associated bacterial symbiosis, and thus further our understanding of host-microbe interactions in the light of sociobiology.

scholarly journals Xenorhabdus bovienii Strain Diversity Impacts Coevolution and Symbiotic Maintenance with Steinernema spp. Nematode Hosts

mBio ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen E. Murfin ◽  
Ming-Min Lee ◽  
Jonathan L. Klassen ◽  
Bradon R. McDonald ◽  
Bret Larget ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Strain ◽  
Bacterial Symbiont ◽  
Evolutionary Time ◽  
Strain Diversity ◽  
Microbe Interactions ◽  
Fitness Benefits ◽  
Host Microbe Interactions ◽  
Microbial Symbionts ◽  
Term Maintenance

ABSTRACTMicrobial symbionts provide benefits that contribute to the ecology and fitness of host plants and animals. Therefore, the evolutionary success of plants and animals fundamentally depends on long-term maintenance of beneficial associations. Most work investigating coevolution and symbiotic maintenance has focused on species-level associations, and studies are lacking that assess the impact of bacterial strain diversity on symbiotic associations within a coevolutionary framework. Here, we demonstrate that fitness in mutualism varies depending on bacterial strain identity, and this is consistent with variation shaping phylogenetic patterns and maintenance through fitness benefits. Through genome sequencing of nine bacterial symbiont strains and cophylogenetic analysis, we demonstrate diversity amongXenorhabdus bovieniibacteria. Further, we identified cocladogenesis betweenSteinernema feltiaenematode hosts and their correspondingX. bovieniisymbiont strains, indicating potential specificity within the association. To test the specificity, we performed laboratory crosses of nematode hosts with native and nonnative symbiont strains, which revealed that combinations with the native bacterial symbiont and closely related strains performed significantly better than those with more divergent symbionts. Through genomic analyses we also defined potential factors contributing to specificity between nematode hosts and bacterial symbionts. These results suggest that strain-level diversity (e.g., subspecies-level differences) in microbial symbionts can drive variation in the success of host-microbe associations, and this suggests that these differences in symbiotic success could contribute to maintenance of the symbiosis over an evolutionary time scale.IMPORTANCEBeneficial symbioses between microbes and plant or animal hosts are ubiquitous, and in these associations, microbial symbionts provide key benefits to their hosts. As such, host success is fundamentally dependent on long-term maintenance of beneficial associations. Prolonged association between partners in evolutionary time is expected to result in interactions in which only specific partners can fully support symbiosis. The contribution of bacterial strain diversity on specificity and coevolution in a beneficial symbiosis remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that strain-level differences in fitness benefits occur in beneficial host-microbe interactions, and this variation likely shapes phylogenetic patterns and symbiotic maintenance. This highlights that symbiont contributions to host biology can vary significantly based on very-fine-scale differences among members of a microbial species. Further, this work emphasizes the need for greater phylogenetic resolution when considering the causes and consequences of host-microbe interactions.

scholarly journals SARS-COV2 VARIANTS AND VACCINES MRNA SPIKES FIBONACCI NUMERICAL UA/CG METASTRUCTURES

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 349-396
Author(s):  
Jean Claude Perez
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Fibonacci Numbers ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Exceptional Case ◽  
World Population ◽  
Synonymous Codons ◽  
One Year ◽  
The Stability ◽  
High Level ◽  
Almost All

In this paper, we suggest a biomathematical numerical method for analysing mRNA nucleotides sequences based on UA/CG Fibonacci numbers proportions. This method is used to evaluate then compare the spike genes related to the main SARS-CoV2 VARIANTS currently circulating within the world population. The 10 main results proposed to be reproduced by peers are: SARS-CoV2 genome and spike evolution in one year 2020-2021. SARS-CoV2 Origins. Comparing 11 reference variants spikes. Analysing 32 CAL.20C California variant patients’ spikes. Toward a meta mRNA Fibonacci gene end message code. Analysing S501 UK, S484 South Africa and « 2 mutations » INDIA variants. Suggesting a possible variants spike mRNA palindrome symmetry metastructure improving mRNA stability then infectiousness. Analysing Fibonacci Metastructures in the mRNA coding for the vaccines PFIZER and MODERNA. Does the CG-rich modification of the synonymous codons of the spikes of the 2 mRNA vaccines affect the expression and quantity of SARS-CoV2 antibodies? The exceptional case of the Brazilian variant P.1. Particularly, we suggest the following conjecture at mRNA folding level: CONJECTURE of SARS-CoV2 VARIANTS: The growth of long Fibonacci structures in the shape of "podiums" for almost all of the variants studied (UK, California, South Africa, India, etc.) suggests the probable folding of the Spike mRNA in the form of a "hairpin", which can strengthen the cohesion and the lifespan of this mRNA. Finally, we show that these kinds of Fibonacci matastructures disapear TOTALLY by analysing the published mRNA sequences of PFIZER and MODERNA vaccines. One fact is certain, the two mRNAs of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines will result in a low functionality of the spike vaccine. This is because their designers by seeking greater stability, have doped to build CG rich sequences   which, as soon as they are inserted into the human host, will, paradoxically, seek to mutate, like SARS-CoV2 variants, towards CG ==> UA forms in order to improve their STABILITY and LIFETIME. We conclude using new biomathematics theoretical methods (Master code and numerical standing waves), and comparing the Spikes of the two vaccines Moderna and Pfizer, that there will be very probable differences in stability and shelf life of the two respective mRNAs vaccines. However, “State of the Art” analyzes will disclose that their two protein sequences are strictly identical. By modified their synonymous codons using different strategies, no one can guarantee that the quantity of antibodies generated will be identical in the two cases. We wish to draw attention to the great ADAPTATION power - at the global scale of their genomes - of the most infectious VARIANTS, such as the BRAZIL 20J / 501Y.V3 variant (P.1). This is very worrying for the VACCINES <==> VARIANTS run: We demonstrate how the Brazilian variant P.1 which becomes uncontrollable in Brazil in April 2021 has a level of organization of long metastructures of 17,711 bases covering the genome which is 3.6 more important than that of the 2 reference genomes SARS-CoV2  and worldwide D614G. We suggest that this high level of overall structure of this variant contributes to the stability of this genome and, might explain its greater contagiousness. To complete this article, an ADDENDUM by Nobelprizewinner Luc Montagnier vas added at the end of this paper.

scholarly journals Cytotype Affects the Capability of the Whitefly Bemisia tabaci MED Species To Feed and Oviposit on an Unfavorable Host Plant

mBio ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvain Benhamou ◽  
Isabelle Rahioui ◽  
Hélène Henri ◽  
Hubert Charles ◽  
Pedro Da Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Host Plant ◽  
Bemisia Tabaci ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Ecological Adaptation ◽  
Symbiotic Associations ◽  
Microbial Symbionts

Microbial symbionts are universal in eukaryotes, and it is now recognized that symbiotic associations represent major evolutionary driving forces. However, the extent to which symbionts contribute to their hosts’ ecological adaptation and subsequent diversification is far from being fully elucidated.

scholarly journals The role of epigenetics, particularly DNA methylation, in the evolution of caste in insect societies

2021 ◽  
Vol 376 (1826) ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin P. Oldroyd ◽  
Boris Yagound
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Developmental Trajectories ◽  
Epigenetic Mechanisms ◽  
Theme Issue ◽  
Eusocial Insects ◽  
Insect Societies ◽  
Divergent Development ◽  
Worker Castes ◽  
Epigenetic Processes

Eusocial insects can be defined as those that live in colonies and have distinct queens and workers. For most species, queens and workers arise from a common genome, and so caste-specific developmental trajectories must arise from epigenetic processes. In this review, we examine the epigenetic mechanisms that may be involved in the regulation of caste dimorphism. Early work on honeybees suggested that DNA methylation plays a causal role in the divergent development of queen and worker castes. This view has now been challenged by studies that did not find consistent associations between methylation and caste in honeybees and other species. Evidence for the involvement of methylation in modulating behaviour of adult workers is also inconsistent. Thus, the functional significance of DNA methylation in social insects remains equivocal. This article is part of the theme issue ‘How does epigenetics influence the course of evolution?’

Impact of E-Government on Transparency and Corruption in Iran

2015 ◽  
pp. 75-94
Author(s):  
Esmaeil Shahsavandi ◽  
Ghassem Mayah ◽  
Hesamaddin Rahbari
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Complete Solution ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Exceptional Case ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Technology Infrastructure ◽  
The Public ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Almost All

Iran also is not exceptional case in terms of E- government when applications have emerged rapidly almost all countries in glob to use E- government as an enabling tool to increase efficiency, enhance transparency, collect more revenue and facilitate public sector reform. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) is transforming the governmental processes in serving citizens (G2C), businesses (G2B) and governments (G2G).Due to various economic, social and political limitations and pressures, most countries of the world has already began the implementation of e-government architecture in sectors where it seems more necessary and they focus their investments in these areas. Many works which find out on impact of E-government have shown that while E-government is not a remedy and magic to solve all problem, it is just a powerful enabling tool that has aided governments to achieve some of their development and administrative reform goals. Hence E-government is not a complete solution, but can be a catalyst for change E-government must be a part of broader commitment to reform the public sector. Since, sill is there some obstacle which we could categorize in three factors and all this factors are critical for the successful implementation of E-government. The first is willingness to reform, secondly, availability of information and communication technology infrastructure and finally the institutional capacity to absorb and manage change. So in this purpose we try to analyze the potential impact of E-government on transparency and corruption in Iranian society. Moreover, this article attempted to give details the extent to which corruption and transparency have been impacted in implemented on corruption in Iran. Enhancing transparency and reducing corruption are identified. Evidence shows that E-government has had a significant impact on broader government goals where political leadership and a commitment to reform have been present. In this work the authors try to distinguish the main obstacles such like legal, social and cultural and some other obstacles concerned.

scholarly journals How do symbiotic associations in lecideoid lichens respond to different environmental conditions along the Transantarctic Mountains, Ross Sea region, Antarctica?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Wagner ◽  
Georg Brunauer ◽  
Arne C. Bathke ◽  
S. Craig Cary ◽  
Roman Fuchs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Latitudinal Gradient ◽  
Ross Sea ◽  
Alpha Diversity ◽  
Dry Valleys ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Symbiotic Associations ◽  
Continental Antarctica ◽  
Main Driver ◽  
Almost All

Lecideoid lichens as dominant vegetation-forming organisms in the climatically harsh areas of the southern part of continental Antarctica show clear preferences in relation to environmental conditions (i.e. macroclimate). 306 lichen samples were included in the study, collected along the Ross Sea coast (78[deg]S - 85.5[deg]S) at six climatically different sites. The species compositions as well as the associations of their two dominant symbiotic partners (myco- and photobiont) were set in context with environmental conditions along the latitudinal gradient. Diversity values were nonlinear with respect to latitude, with the highest alpha diversity in the milder areas of the McMurdo Dry Valleys (78[deg]S) and the most southern areas (Durham Point, 85.5[deg]S; Garden Spur, 84.5[deg]S), and lowest in the especially arid and cold Darwin Area (~79.8[deg]S). Furthermore, the specificity of mycobiont species towards their photobionts decreased under more severe climate conditions. The generalist lichen species Lecanora fuscobrunnea and Lecidea cancriformis were present in almost all habitats, but were dominant in climatically extreme areas. Carbonea vorticosa, Lecidella greenii and Rhizoplaca macleanii were confined to milder areas. In summary, the macroclimate is considered to be the main driver of species distribution, making certain species useful as bioindicators of climate conditions and, consequently, for detecting climate change.

scholarly journals Host-associated microbial diversity in New Zealand cicadas uncovers elevational structure and replacement of obligate bacterial endosymbionts by Ophiocordyceps fungal pathogens

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diler Haji ◽  
Jason Vailionis ◽  
Mark Stukel ◽  
Eric RL Gordon ◽  
Emily Lemmon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Microbial Diversity ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Essential Amino Acids ◽  
Phylogenetic Structure ◽  
Host Phylogeny ◽  
Host Microbe Interactions ◽  
Microbial Symbionts ◽  
Nutrient Provisioning

Host-microbe interactions influence eukaryotic evolution, particularly in the sap-sucking insects that often rely on obligate microbial symbionts to provision deficient nutrients in their diets. Cicadas (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadidae) specialize on xylem fluid and derive many essential amino acids and vitamins from intracellular bacteria or fungi (Hodgkinia, Sulcia, and Ophiocordyceps) that are propagated via transmission from mothers to offspring. Despite the beneficial role of these symbionts in nutrient provisioning, they are generally not considered to function within the gut where microbiota may play an important dietary role during insect diversification. Here, we investigate the relative impact of host phylogeny and ecology on gut microbial diversity in cicadas by sequencing 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicons from 197 wild-collected cicadas and new mitochondrial genomes across 38 New Zealand cicada species, including natural hybrids between one species pair. We find a lack of phylogenetic structure and hybrid effects but a significant role of elevation in explaining variation in gut microbiota. Additionally, we provide evidence of Hodgkinia loss with gains of Ophiocordyceps fungal pathogens in all New Zealand cicadas examined that suggests convergent domestications of fungal pathogens. This highlights the macroevolutionary instability of obligate symbiosis and the relative importance of ecology rather than phylogeny for structuring gut microbial diversity in cicadas.

Can plant productivity be increased by inoculation of tree roots with soil microorganisms?

1992 ◽  
Vol 22 (12) ◽  
pp. 1815-1823 ◽  
Author(s):  
John G. Torrey
Keyword(s):  
Soil Microorganisms ◽  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizae ◽  
Tree Roots ◽  
Field Inoculation ◽  
Symbiotic Associations ◽  
Host Trees ◽  
Vesicular Arbuscular ◽  
Microbial Symbionts ◽  
Management Capabilities ◽  
Successful Inoculation

Fostering symbiotic associations between appropriate soil microorganisms and their compatible hosts lies within the management capabilities of agriculturalists and foresters. Using knowledge of the fundamental scientific bases for these associations, one can facilitate the development of beneficial symbioses by inoculation of seeds, seedlings, or growing plants with selected microorganisms to establish and perpetuate effective symbioses leading to increased productivity. Of particular interest to the forester are four major groups of symbiotic associations: Rhizobium or Bradyrhizobium–leguminous trees; Frankia–actinorhizal plants; ectomycorrhizae–host trees; and endomycorrhizae–host trees, including vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizae. Summarized here are the isolation, characterization, and culture of the microbial symbionts; the demonstrated specificity for infection and effectivity for facilitating nutrient uptake in each case; and the development of the technology for field inoculation to achieve effective symbioses in forest plantations. The factors involved in successful inoculation procedures are reviewed, and recommendations are made as to some of the necessary steps to further the development of this biotechnology.

scholarly journals Niche-Specific Impact of a Symbiotic Function on the Persistence of Microbial Symbionts within a Natural Host

2016 ◽  
Vol 82 (19) ◽  
pp. 5990-5996 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subhash C. Verma ◽  
Tim Miyashiro
Keyword(s):  
Vibrio Fischeri ◽  
Fundamental Aspect ◽  
Light Organ ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Host Environment ◽  
Microbe Interactions ◽  
Host Microbe Interactions ◽  
Microbial Symbionts ◽  
Function Relationship ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACTHow the function of microbial symbionts is affected by their population/consortium structure within a host remains poorly understood. The symbiosis established betweenEuprymna scolopesandVibrio fischeriis a well-characterized host-microbe association in which the function and structure ofV. fischeripopulations within the host are known:V. fischeripopulations produce bioluminescence from distinct crypt spaces within a dedicated host structure called the light organ. Previous studies have revealed that luminescence is required forV. fischeripopulations to persist within the light organ and that deletion of theluxgene locus, which is responsible for luminescence inV. fischeri, leads to a persistence defect. In this study, we investigated the impact of bioluminescence onV. fischeripopulation structure within the light organ. We report that the persistence defect is specific to crypt I, which is the most developmentally mature crypt space within the nascent light organ. This result provides insight into the structure/function relationship that will be useful for future mechanistic studies of squid-Vibriosymbiosis. In addition, our report highlights the potential impact of the host developmental program on the spatiotemporal dynamics of host-microbe interactions.IMPORTANCEMetazoan development and physiology depend on microbes. The relationship between the symbiotic function of microbes and their spatial structure within the host environment remains poorly understood. Here we demonstrate, using a binary symbiosis, that the host requirement for the symbiotic function of the microbial symbiont is restricted to a specific host environment. Our results also suggest a link between microbial function and host development that may be a fundamental aspect of the more complex host-microbe interactions.

scholarly journals Symbiotic skin bacteria as a source for sex-specific scents in frogs

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (6) ◽  
pp. 2124-2129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrés E. Brunetti ◽  
Mariana L. Lyra ◽  
Weilan G. P. Melo ◽  
Laura E. Andrade ◽  
Pablo Palacios-Rodríguez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Symbiotic Bacterium ◽  
Chemical Diversity ◽  
Tree Frog ◽  
Volatile Profile ◽  
Significant Progress ◽  
Symbiotic Associations ◽  
Skin Bacteria ◽  
Culture Independent ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Made In

Amphibians are known to possess a wide variety of compounds stored in their skin glands. While significant progress has been made in understanding the chemical diversity and biological relevance of alkaloids, amines, steroids, and peptides, most aspects of the odorous secretions are completely unknown. In this study, we examined sexual variations in the volatile profile from the skin of the tree frogBoana prasinaand combined culture and culture-independent methods to investigate if microorganisms might be a source of these compounds. We found that sesquiterpenes, thioethers, and methoxypyrazines are major contributors to the observed sex differences. We also observed that each sex has a distinct profile of methoxypyrazines, and that the chemical origin of these compounds can be traced to aPseudomonassp. strain isolated from the frog’s skin. This symbiotic bacterium was present in almost all individuals examined from different sites and was maintained in captive conditions, supporting its significance as the source of methoxypyrazines in these frogs. Our results highlight the potential relevance of bacteria as a source of chemical signals in amphibians and contribute to increasing our understanding of the role that symbiotic associations have in animals.

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