Genomic analysis of novel Yarrowia-like yeast symbionts associated with the carrion-feeding burying beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Mutualistic interactions with microbes can help insects adapt to extreme environments and unusual diets. An intriguing example is the burying beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides, which feeds and reproduces on small vertebrate carcasses. Its fungal microbiome is dominated by yeasts that potentially facilitate carcass utilization by producing digestive enzymes, eliminating cadaver-associated toxic volatiles (that would otherwise attract competitors), and releasing antimicrobials to sanitize the microenvironment. Some of these yeasts are closely related to the biotechnologically important species Yarrowia lipolytica.

Results

To investigate the roles of these Yarrowia-like yeast (YLY) strains in more detail, we selected five strains from two different phylogenetic clades

SUBMITTER: Brinkrolf K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8091737 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature