Microbiome Associated with Polypedilum sp. (Diptera; Chironomidae), a Midge Adapted to an Extremely Acidic Environment.

ABSTRACT: Chironomids (Diptera; Chironomidae), non-biting midges, are a highly diverse family of holometabolous insects, many of which are known for their tolerance to extreme environmental conditions, such as desiccation, pollution, and high acidity. The contribution of microbial symbionts to these adaptations was recently suggested. Therefore, we herein exami-ned the microbiome associated with the larvae of the undescribed acid-tolerant chironomid species, Polypedilum sp., which inhabits the Yukawa River (Gunma, Japan), an environment that is characterized by an extremely low pH (≤2) and high concentrations of heavy metal ions (including arsenic). Amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene revealed a distinct larval microbiome with a lower alpha diversity value and more enriched and specific bacteri

SUBMITTER: Nakanishi E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12213058 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature