Microbiota and pathogens in an invasive bee: Megachile sculpturalis from native and invaded regions

The present study aimed to characterise the bacterial, fungal and parasite gut community of the invasive bee Megachile sculpturalis sampled from native (Japan) and invaded (USA and France) regions via 16S rRNA and ITS2 amplicon sequencing and PCR detection of bee microparasites. The bacterial and fu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Insect molecular biology 2023-10, Vol.32 (5), p.544-557
Main Authors: Tuerlings, Tina, Hettiarachchi, Amanda, Joossens, Marie, Geslin, Benoît, Vereecken, Nicolas J., Michez, Denis, Smagghe, Guy, Vandamme, Peter
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anthidium florentinum
Bacteria
Biodiversity and Ecology
Environmental conditions
Environmental Sciences
Founder effect
Fungi
gut microbiota
Halictus scabiosae
Intestinal microflora
Megachile sculpturalis
Microbiota
Microorganisms
Natural enemies
Parasites
Pathogens
rRNA 16S
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Summary:The present study aimed to characterise the bacterial, fungal and parasite gut community of the invasive bee Megachile sculpturalis sampled from native (Japan) and invaded (USA and France) regions via 16S rRNA and ITS2 amplicon sequencing and PCR detection of bee microparasites. The bacterial and fungal gut microbiota communities in bees from invaded regions were highly similar and differed strongly from those obtained in Japan. Core amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) within each population represented environmental micro‐organisms commonly present in bee‐associated niches that likely provide beneficial functions to their host. Although the overall bacterial and fungal communities of the invasive M. sculpturalis in France and the co‐foraging native bees Anthidium florentinum and Halictus scabiosae, were significantly different, five out of eight core ASVs were shared suggesting common environmental sources and potential transmission. None of the 46 M. sculpturalis bees analysed harboured known bee pathogens, while microparasite infections were common in A. florentinum, and rare in H. scabiosae. A common shift in the gut microbiota of M. sculpturalis in invaded regions as a response to changed environmental conditions, or a founder effect coupled to population re‐establishment in the invaded regions may explain the observed microbial community profiles and the absence of parasites. While the role of pathogen pressure in shaping biological invasions is still debated, the absence of natural enemies may contribute to the invasion success of M. sculpturalis. The bacterial and fungal gut communities of Megachile sculpturalis bees from invaded regions (USA and France) were highly similar and differed strongly from those obtained from its native region (Japan). The microbial communities of M. sculpturalis in France and the co‐foraging native bees Anthidium florentinum and Halictus scabiosae were significantly different, yet some core amplicon sequence variants were shared. None of the M. sculpturalis bees analysed harboured known bee pathogens, while microparasite infections were common in A. florentinum and rare in H. scabiosae.
ISSN:0962-1075
1365-2583
DOI:10.1111/imb.12849