Routes of Acquisition of the Gut Microbiota of the Honey Bee Apis mellifera

ABSTRACTStudies of newly emergedApis melliferaworker bees have demonstrated that their guts are colonized by a consistent core microbiota within several days of eclosure. We conducted experiments aimed at illuminating the transmission routes and spatiotemporal colonization dynamics of this microbiota. Experimental groups of newly emerged workers were maintained in cup cages and exposed to different potential transmission sources. Colonization patterns were evaluated using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) to assess community sizes and using deep sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons to assess community composition. In addition, we monitored the establishment of the ileum and rectum communities within workers sampled over time from natural hive conditions. The study verified that workers initially lack gut bacteria and gain large characteristic communities in the ileum and rectum within 4 to 6 days within hives. Typical communities, resembling those of workers within hives, were established in the presence of nurse workers or nurse worker fecal material, and atypical communities of noncore or highly skewed compositions were established when workers were exposed only to oral trophallaxis or hive components (comb, honey, bee bread). The core species of Gram-negative bacteria,Snodgrassella alvi,Gilliamella apicola, andFrischella perrara, were dependent on the presence of nurses or hindgut material, whereas some Gram-positive species were more often transferred through exposure to hive components. These results indicate aspects of the colony life cycle and behavior that are key to the propagation of the characteristic honey bee gut microbiota.

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Deep Sequencing Uncovers Caste-Associated Diversity of Symbionts in the Social Ant Camponotus japonicus

mBio ◽

10.1128/mbio.00408-20 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Akiko Koto ◽

Masaru Konishi Nobu ◽

Ryo Miyazaki

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Deep Sequencing ◽

Social Insects ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Bacterial Populations ◽

Content Type ◽

Carpenter Ant ◽

And Behavior ◽

Lineage Divergence ◽

Camponotus Japonicus

ABSTRACT Symbiotic microorganisms can have a profound impact on the host physiology and behavior, and novel relationships between symbionts and their hosts are continually discovered. A colony of social ants consists of various castes that exhibit distinct lifestyles and is, thus, a unique model for investigating how symbionts may be involved in host eusociality. Yet our knowledge of social ant-symbiont dynamics has remained rudimentary. Through 16S rRNA gene deep sequencing of the carpenter ant Camponotus japonicus symbiont community across various castes, we here report caste-dependent diversity of commensal gut microbiota and lineage divergence of “Candidatus Blochmannia,” an obligate endosymbiont. While most prevalent gut-associated bacterial populations are found across all castes (Alphaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Cyanobacteria), we also discovered uncultured populations that are found only in males (belonging to Corynebacteriales, Alkanindiges, and Burkholderia). Most of those populations are not detected in laboratory-maintained queens and workers, suggesting that they are facultative gut symbionts introduced via environmental acquisition. Further inspection of “Ca. Blochmannia” endosymbionts reveals that two populations are dominant in all individuals across all castes but that males preferentially contain two different sublineages that are diversified from others. Clearly, each caste has distinct symbiont communities, suggesting an overlooked biological aspect of host-symbiont interaction in social insects. IMPORTANCE Social animals, such as primates and some insects, have been shown to exchange symbiotic microbes among individuals through sharing diet or habitats, resulting in increased consistency of microbiota among social partners. The ant is a representative of social insects exhibiting various castes within a colony; queens, males, and nonreproductive females (so-called workers) show distinct morphologies, physiologies, and behaviors but tightly interact with each other in the nest. However, how this social context affects their gut microbiota has remained unclear. In this study, we deeply sequenced the gut symbiont community across various castes of the carpenter ant Camponotus japonicus. We report caste-dependent diversity of commensal gut microbial community and lineage divergence of the mutualistic endosymbiont “Candidatus Blochmannia.” This report sheds light on the hidden diversity in microbial populations and community structure associated with guts of males in social ants.

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You are what you eat: relative importance of diet, gut microbiota and nestmates for honey bee, Apis mellifera, worker health

Apidologie ◽

10.1007/s13592-021-00851-z ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Gina Retschnig ◽

Johannes Rich ◽

Karl Crailsheim ◽

Judith Pfister ◽

Vincent Perreten ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Apis Mellifera ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Honey Bee ◽

Exposure Period ◽

Short Exposure ◽

Relative Importance ◽

Worker Health ◽

Negative Effect ◽

Positive Effect

AbstractIn eusocial honey bees, Apis mellifera, diet, gut microbiota and nestmates can all contribute to the health of freshly emerged individual workers, but their relative importance for longevity and body weight is currently unknown. Here, we show that diet is most relevant, followed by gut microbiota and the presence of nestmates. Freshly emerged workers were randomly assigned to eight treatments (with or without honey/pollen, protein-substitute lactalbumin, antibiotic tetracycline and nestmates for 24 h) and maintained under standardised laboratory conditions. Longevity and food consumption were measured daily and fresh body weight was assessed at day 7. The data show a significantly better survival and a higher body weight in workers supplied with honey/pollen. Survival was higher in the lactalbumin treatments compared to the ones restricted to sucrose only, but lower compared to those with honey/pollen, highlighting the importance of micronutrients. In contrast, antibiotic treatment had a significant negative effect on longevity and body weight, which may be explained by inactivated gut microbiota and/or toxicity of the antibiotics. There was no positive effect of nestmates, probably due to the short exposure period. In contrast, nestmates showed a negative effect on survival in antibiotic-treated workers, possibly by transmitting pathogens and antibiotic-induced gut dysbiosis. In conclusion, a macro- and micronutrient-rich diet appears to be the key to individual honey bee worker health. Providing an optimal diet and possibly gut microbiota appears to be a promising way to promote managed A. mellifera health.

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Impact of Oral Fidaxomicin Administration on the Intestinal Microbiota and Susceptibility to Clostridium difficile Colonization in Mice

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy ◽

10.1128/aac.02112-17 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 62 (5) ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

N. J. Ajami ◽

J. L. Cope ◽

M. C. Wong ◽

J. F. Petrosino ◽

L. Chesnel

Keyword(s):

Clostridium Difficile ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

16S Rrna Gene Sequencing ◽

Taxonomic Structure ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Colonization Resistance ◽

Content Type ◽

Rrna Gene Sequencing ◽

Hospital Acquired ◽

Predetermined Time

ABSTRACT Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), a common cause of hospital-acquired infections, typically occurs after disruption of the normal gut microbiome by broad-spectrum antibiotics. Fidaxomicin is a narrow-spectrum antibiotic that demonstrates a reduced impact on the normal gut microbiota and is approved for the treatment of CDI. To further explore the benefits of this property, we used a murine model to examine the effects of fidaxomicin versus vancomycin on gut microbiota and susceptibility to C. difficile colonization while tracking microbiota recovery over time. Mice were exposed to fidaxomicin or vancomycin by oral gavage for 3 days and subsequently challenged with C. difficile spores at predetermined time points up to 21 days postexposure to antibiotics. Fecal samples were subsequently collected for analysis. Twenty-four hours postchallenge, mice were euthanized and the colon contents harvested. The microbiota was characterized using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. All fidaxomicin-exposed mice (except for one at day 8) were resistant to C. difficile colonization. However, 9 of 15 vancomycin-exposed mice were susceptible to C. difficile colonization until day 12. All vancomycin-exposed mice recovered colonization resistance by day 16. Bacterial diversity was similar prior to antibiotic exposure in both arms and decreased substantially after exposure. A shift in taxonomic structure and composition occurred after both exposures; however, the shift was greater in vancomycin-exposed than in fidaxomicin-exposed mice. In summary, compared with vancomycin, fidaxomicin exposure had less impact on microbiota composition, promoted faster microbial recovery, and had less impact on the loss of C. difficile colonization resistance.

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The impact of human-facilitated selection on the gut microbiota of domesticated mammals

FEMS Microbiology Ecology ◽

10.1093/femsec/fiz121 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 95 (9) ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Giulia Alessandri ◽

Christian Milani ◽

Leonardo Mancabelli ◽

Marta Mangifesta ◽

Gabriele Andrea Lugli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Horizontal Transmission ◽

Taxonomic Composition ◽

Functional Adaptation ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Shotgun Metagenomics ◽

Domesticated Animals ◽

And Behavior ◽

The Impact

ABSTRACT Domestication is the process by which anthropogenic forces shape lifestyle and behavior of wild species to accommodate human needs. The impact of domestication on animal physiology and behavior has been extensively studied, whereas its effect on the gut microbiota is still largely unexplored. For this reason, 16S rRNA gene-based and internal transcribed spacer-mediated bifidobacterial profiling, together with shotgun metagenomics, was employed to investigate the taxonomic composition and metabolic repertoire of 146 mammalian fecal samples, corresponding to 12 domesticated–feral dyads. Our results revealed that changes induced by domestication have extensively shaped the taxonomic composition of the mammalian gut microbiota. In this context, the selection of microbial taxa linked to a more efficient feed conversion into body mass and putative horizontal transmission of certain bacterial genera from humans were observed in the fecal microbiota of domesticated animals when compared to their feral relatives and to humans. In addition, profiling of the metabolic arsenal through metagenomics highlighted extensive functional adaptation of the fecal microbial community of domesticated mammals to changes induced by domestication. Remarkably, domesticated animals showed, when compared to their feral relatives, increased abundance of specific glycosyl hydrolases, possibly due to the higher intake of complex plant carbohydrates typical of commercial animal feeds.

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Colonization of the gut microbiota of honey bee (Apis mellifera) workers at different developmental stages

Microbiological Research ◽

10.1016/j.micres.2019.126370 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 231 ◽

pp. 126370 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Zhi-Xiang Dong ◽

Huan-Yuan Li ◽

Yi-Fei Chen ◽

Feng Wang ◽

Xian-Yu Deng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Apis Mellifera ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Honey Bee ◽

Developmental Stages

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Age and Behavior of Honey Bee Workers, Apis mellifera, that Interact with Drones

Ethology ◽

10.1111/j.1439-0310.2011.01895.x ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 117 (5) ◽

pp. 459-468 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Tyler L. Stout ◽

Jeremy D. Slone ◽

Stanley S. Schneider

Keyword(s):

Apis Mellifera ◽

Honey Bee ◽

Honey Bee Workers ◽

And Behavior

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Metaproteomics Analysis Reveals the Adaptation Process for the Chicken Gut Microbiota

Applied and Environmental Microbiology ◽

10.1128/aem.02472-13 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 80 (2) ◽

pp. 478-485 ◽

Cited By ~ 42

Author(s):

Yue Tang ◽

Anthony Underwood ◽

Adriana Gielbert ◽

Martin J. Woodward ◽

Liljana Petrovska

Keyword(s):

16S Rrna ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

High Throughput Sequencing ◽

Bacterial Species ◽

Abundant Species ◽

Fecal Microbiota ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Sequencing Analysis ◽

Content Type ◽

Chicken Gut Microbiota

ABSTRACTThe animal gastrointestinal tract houses a large microbial community, the gut microbiota, that confers many benefits to its host, such as protection from pathogens and provision of essential metabolites. Metagenomic approaches have defined the chicken fecal microbiota in other studies, but here, we wished to assess the correlation between the metagenome and the bacterial proteome in order to better understand the healthy chicken gut microbiota. Here, we performed high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons and metaproteomics analysis of fecal samples to determine microbial gut composition and protein expression. 16 rRNA gene sequencing analysis identifiedClostridiales,Bacteroidaceae, andLactobacillaceaespecies as the most abundant species in the gut. For metaproteomics analysis, peptides were generated by using the Fasp method and subsequently fractionated by strong anion exchanges. Metaproteomics analysis identified 3,673 proteins. Among the most frequently identified proteins, 380 proteins belonged toLactobacillusspp., 155 belonged toClostridiumspp., and 66 belonged toStreptococcusspp. The most frequently identified proteins were heat shock chaperones, including 349 GroEL proteins, from many bacterial species, whereas the most abundant enzymes were pyruvate kinases, as judged by the number of peptides identified per protein (spectral counting). Gene ontology and KEGG pathway analyses revealed the functions and locations of the identified proteins. The findings of both metaproteomics and 16S rRNA sequencing analyses are discussed.

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Silencing the Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Naked Cuticle Gene (nkd) Improves Host Immune Function and Reduces Nosema ceranae Infections

Applied and Environmental Microbiology ◽

10.1128/aem.02105-16 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 82 (22) ◽

pp. 6779-6787 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Wenfeng Li ◽

Jay D. Evans ◽

Qiang Huang ◽

Cristina Rodríguez-García ◽

Jie Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Apis Mellifera ◽

Immune Function ◽

Honey Bee ◽

Honey Bees ◽

Nosema Ceranae ◽

Negative Regulator ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Content Type ◽

Bee Disease

ABSTRACTNosema ceranaeis a new and emerging microsporidian parasite of European honey bees,Apis mellifera, that has been implicated in colony losses worldwide. RNA interference (RNAi), a posttranscriptional gene silencing mechanism, has emerged as a potent and specific strategy for controlling infections of parasites and pathogens in honey bees. While previous studies have focused on the silencing of parasite/pathogen virulence factors, we explore here the possibility of silencing a host factor as a mechanism for reducing parasite load. Specifically, we used an RNAi strategy to reduce the expression of a honey bee gene,naked cuticle(nkd), which is a negative regulator of host immune function. Our studies found thatnkdmRNA levels in adult bees were upregulated byN. ceranaeinfection (and thus, the parasite may use this mechanism to suppress host immune function) and that ingestion of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) specific tonkdefficiently silenced its expression. Furthermore, we found that RNAi-mediated knockdown ofnkdtranscripts inNosema-infected bees resulted in upregulation of the expression of several immune genes (Abaecin,Apidaecin,Defensin-1, andPGRP-S2), reduction ofNosemaspore loads, and extension of honey bee life span. The results of our studies clearly indicate that silencing the hostnkdgene can activate honey bee immune responses, suppress the reproduction ofN. ceranae, and improve the overall health of honey bees. This study represents a novel host-derived therapeutic for honey bee disease treatment that merits further exploration.IMPORTANCEGiven the critical role of honey bees in the pollination of agricultural crops, it is urgent to develop strategies to prevent the colony decline induced by the infection of parasites/pathogens. Targeting parasites and pathogens directly by RNAi has been proven to be useful for controlling infections in honey bees, but little is known about the disease impacts of RNAi silencing of host factors. Here, we demonstrate that knocking down the honey bee immune repressor-encodingnkdgene can suppress the reproduction ofN. ceranaeand improve the overall health of honey bees, which highlights the potential role of host-derived and RNAi-based therapeutics in controlling the infections in honey bees. The information obtained from this study will have positive implications for honey bee disease management practices.

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COMPOSITION AND FREQUENCY OF FLOWER VISITORS IN SOME VARIETIES OF MELON UNDER DIFFERENT CROP CONDITIONS1

Revista Caatinga ◽

10.1590/1983-21252021v34n425rc ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 34 (4) ◽

pp. 976-984

Author(s):

EVA MONICA SARMENTO DA SILVA ◽

MÁRCIA DE FÁTIMA RIBEIRO ◽

LÚCIA HELENA PIEDADE KIILL ◽

MÁRCIA DE SOUSA COELHO ◽

MARA POLINE DA SILVA

Keyword(s):

Apis Mellifera ◽

Organic Farming ◽

Honey Bee ◽

Cucumis Melo ◽

Dry Season ◽

Flower Visitors ◽

Main Production ◽

Brazilian Northeast ◽

And Behavior ◽

Dry And Rainy Seasons

ABSTRACT Previous investigations showed that diverse varieties of melon may have different attractiveness for bees. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the composition, frequency and behavior of flower visitors of some melon (Cucumis melo) cultivars (Amarelo, Pele de Sapo, Cantaloupe, Gália) in different conditions (conventional and organic farming, dry and rainy seasons, with and without mulching and introduction or not of honey bee hives) in the main production poles in the Brazilian Northeast (Petrolina-PE/Juazeiro-BA, Pacajus-CE and Mossoro-RN). Observations and collections of flower visitors occurred from 5p.m. to 6p.m, in non-consecutive days. We recorded 12 species of insects, mostly bees. The most frequent was Apis mellifera (99.68%), but other species appeared sporadically (less than 0.5%): Xylocopa grisescens, Trigona spinipes, Plebeia sp., Melipona mandacaia, Frieseomelitta doedereleini, Halicitidae. Apis mellifera was present in all studied cultivars and sites. Xylocopa grisescens appeared in two poles, but not in Pacajus-CE, Amarelo cultivar. In addition, Trigona spinipes, although present in the three poles, was not recorded on Pele de Sapo. The Amarelo cultivar, under organic farming, without the use of mulching, and presence of honey bee hives, in the Petrolina-PE/Juazeiro-BA pole, in the dry season, was the combination of factors showing the largest number of Apis mellifera as the main visitor of melon flowers.

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New Reference Genome Sequences for 17 Bacterial Strains of the Honey Bee Gut Microbiota

Microbiology Resource Announcements ◽

10.1128/mra.00834-18 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kirsten M. Ellegaard ◽

Philipp Engel

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Honey Bee ◽

Honey Bees ◽

Reference Genome ◽

Reference Database ◽

Bacterial Strains ◽

Genome Sequences ◽

Content Type ◽

Future Analysis ◽

Comprehensive Reference

We sequenced the genomes of 17 strains isolated from the gut of honey bees, including strains representing the genera Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Gilliamella, Snodgrassella, Frischella, and Commensalibacter. These genome sequences represent an important step forward in the development of a comprehensive reference database to aid future analysis of this emerging gut microbiota model.

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