Dynamics of the hindgut microbiota of the Japanese honey bees (<i>Apis cerana japonica</i>) throughout the overwintering period.

ABSTRACT: Honey bees play crucial roles as pollinators in natural, agricultural, and ecological systems. The role of gut microbiota in the overwinter survival of honey bees is gaining attention. Compared with Western honey bees (Apis mellifera), Eastern honey bees (Apis cerana) are more tolerant to low-temperature stress. This study compared the hindgut microbiota of the Japanese honey bees (Apis cerana japonica), a subspecies of A. cerana, during the overwintering period (December) with that before overwintering (October) and after overwintering (March) to estimate beneficial hindgut bacteria contributing to survival during the overwintering period. Overall, the hindgut microbiota of A. c. japonica was occupied by Actinobacteriota, Bacteroidot

SUBMITTER: Suzuki A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12530201 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature