Microbiome Structure Influences Infection by the Parasite Crithidia bombi in Bumble Bees.

ABSTRACT: Recent declines in bumble bee populations are of great concern and have prompted critical evaluations of the role of pathogen introductions and host resistance in bee health. One factor that may influence host resilience when facing infection is the gut microbiota. Previous experiments with Bombus terrestris, a European bumble bee, showed that the gut microbiota can protect against Crithidia bombi, a widespread trypanosomatid parasite of bumble bees. However, the particular characteristics of the microbiome responsible for this protective effect have thus far eluded identification. Using wild and commercially sourced Bombus impatiens, an important North American pollinator, we conducted cross-wise microbiota transplants to naive hosts of both backgrounds and challenged

SUBMITTER: Mockler BK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5861814 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature