The Negative Effects of Feces-Associated Microorganisms on the Fitness of the Stored Product Mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae.

ABSTRACT: Feces have been suggested as a major source of microorganisms for recolonization of the gut of stored product mites via coprophagy. The mites can host microorganisms that decrease their fitness, but their transmission is not known. To address the role of fecal microbiota on mite fitness, we performed an experimental study in which the surfaces of mite (Tyrophagus putrescentiae) eggs were sterilized. Mites eggs (15 per experimental box) were then hatched and grown on feedstock with and without feces. These experiments were conducted with four distinct T. putrescentiae populations (5L, 5K, 5N, and 5P), and mite population density after 21 day of cultivation was used to assess mite fitness and the impact of fecal microbiota on fitness. Population density was not affected by the

SUBMITTER: Green SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8961420 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature