Analyzing Gut Microbial Community in Varroa destructor -Infested Western Honeybee ( Apis mellifera )

• Published in: Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol. 33; no. 11; pp. 1495 - 1505
• Main Authors: Kim, Minji, Kim, Woo Jae, Park, Soo-Je
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) 한국미생물·생명공학회 28.11.2023
• Subjects: Animals; Bees; Gastrointestinal Microbiome - genetics; Larva; Microbiota - genetics; Mite Infestations - epidemiology; Varroidae; 생물학; Apis mellifera; microbiota; Honeybee; Varroa destructor; gut; larva
• ISSN: 1017-7825; 1738-8872
• DOI: 10.4014/jmb.2306.06040

The western honeybee L., a vital crop pollinator and producer of honey and royal jelly, faces numerous threats including diseases, chemicals, and mite infestations, causing widespread concern. While extensive research has explored the link between gut microbiota and their hosts. However, the impact of infestation remains understudied. In this study, we employed massive parallel amplicon sequencing assays to examine the diversity and structure of gut microbial communities in adult bee groups, comparing healthy (NG) and -infested (VG) samples. Additionally, we analyzed -infested hives to assess the whole body of larvae. Our results indicated a notable prevalence of the genus in larvae and the genera , unidentified , and in adult bees. However, no statistically significant difference was observed between NG and VG. Furthermore, our PICRUSt analysis demonstrated distinct KEGG classification patterns between larval and adult bee groups, with larvae displaying a higher abundance of genes involved in cofactor and vitamin production. Notably, despite the complex nature of the honeybee bacterial community, methanogens were found to be present in low abundance in the honeybee microbiota.