In-hive variation of the gut microbial composition of honey bee larvae and pupae from the same oviposition time.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Knowledge of microbiota composition, persistence, and transmission as well as the overall function of the bacterial community is important and may be linked to honey bee health. This study aimed to investigate the inter-individual variation in the gut microbiota in honey bee larvae and pupae.

Results

Individual larvae differed in the composition of major bacterial groups. In the majority of 5th instar bees, Firmicutes showed predominance (70%); however, after larval defecation and during pupation, the abundance decreased to 40%, in favour of Gammaproteobacteria. The 5th instar larvae hosted significantly more (P < 0.001) Firmicutes than black pupae. Power calculations revealed that 11 and 18 replicate-individuals, respectively, were required for the detection of s

SUBMITTER: Hroncova Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6534886 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature