Habitat-specific variation in gut microbial communities and pathogen prevalence in bumblebee queens (Bombus terrestris)

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0204612
• Publication Date: 2018-10-25T17:57:28Z
• Authors: L. Bosmans; M. I. Pozo; C. Verreth; S. Crauwels; L. Wilberts; I. S. Sobhy; F. Wäckers; H. Jacquemyn; B. Lievens
• Keywords: Bombus terrestris; Bumblebee

Gut microbial communities are critical for the health of many insect species. However, little is known about how gut respond to anthropogenic changes and such affect host-pathogen interactions. In this study, we used deep sequencing investigate compare composition within midgut ileum (both bacteria fungi) in Bombus terrestris queens collected from natural (forest) urbanized habitats. Additionally, investigated whether variation under each habitat affected prevalence two important bumblebee pathogens that have recently been associated with declines (Crithidia bombi Nosema bombi). Microbial community differed strongly among types, both fungi bacteria. Fungi were almost exclusively forest habitats, not commonly detected urban sites. Further, bacterial B. specimens dominated by bee-specific core like Snodgrassella (Betaproteobacteria) Gilliamella (Gammaproteobacteria), whereas sites contained a huge fraction environmental Pathogen infection was very low populations only observed No significant relationship found between pathogen diversity. there negative relative abundance resident Snodgrassella, supporting its role defense. Overall, our results indicate land-use change may lead different bumblebees, which implications health, survival overall fitness.