Changes in Microbiota Composition Along the Metamorphosis Developmental Stages of Chironomus transvaalensis.

ABSTRACT: Chironomids (Diptera; Chironomidae), also known as non-biting midges, are one of the most abundant insects in freshwater habitats. Our aim was to understand whether the metamorphosis developmental stages affect the endogenous microbiota composition of Chironomus transvaalensis. Toward our objective, we analyzed the endogenous microbiota composition of C. transvaalensis' four life stages: egg masses, larvae, pupae, and adults. Significant differences were found between the microbiota compositions of the different developmental stages of this Chironomus species. We observed a decline in bacterial diversity as the insect evolved from egg mass to adult, while the highest richness was observed in the pupal stage. Although there were significant differences bet

SUBMITTER: Sela R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7677345 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature