Complexity and variability of gut commensal microbiota in polyphagous lepidopteran larvae.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The gut of most insects harbours nonpathogenic microorganisms. Recent work suggests that gut microbiota not only provide nutrients, but also involve in the development and maintenance of the host immune system. However, the complexity, dynamics and types of interactions between the insect hosts and their gut microbiota are far from being well understood.

Methods/principal findings

To determine the composition of the gut microbiota of two lepidopteran pests, Spodoptera littoralis and Helicoverpa armigera, we applied cultivation-independent techniques based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing and microarray. The two insect species were very similar regarding high abundant bacterial families. Different bacteria colonize different niches within the gut. A core community, cons

SUBMITTER: Tang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3398904 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature