Microbial Community Dynamics in Natural Drosophila melanogaster Populations Across Seasons.

ABSTRACT: Many insects benefit from gut microbes that contribute to digestion, detoxification, nutrient supplementation or defence. Although abiotic and biotic factors are known to shape insect-associated microbial communities, the seasonal dynamics and their potential impact on host fitness remain poorly studied. Here we investigated the temporal changes in bacterial and fungal communities associated with the model organism Drosophila melanogaster over 5 months. Our results reveal high inter-individual variation, but also consistent changes in microbial communities of three wild D. melanogaster populations from early spring to late summer. These changes were driven by specific indicator species, particularly Acetobacteraceae bacteria (Gluconobacter and Komagataeibacter) and Saccharomycetales yeasts

SUBMITTER: Lemoine MM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12129609 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature