Effect of host shift on the gut microbes of Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae)

• Published in: Frontiers in microbiology Vol. 14; p. 1264788
• Main Authors: Tian, Zhenya, Chen, Lixiang, Chen, Guangmei, Wang, Jingjing, Ma, Chao, Zhang, Yan, Gao, Xuyuan, Chen, Hongsong, Zhou, Zhongshi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Frontiers Media S.A 2023
• Subjects: Bactrocera cucurbitae; different hosts; gut microorganisms; host transfer; original host; host transfer; different hosts; Bactrocera cucurbitae; original host; gut microorganisms
• ISSN: 1664-302X; 1664-302X
• DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1264788

Gut microbes play an important role in the adaptation of insects. Polyphagous insects usually undergo changes in gut microbiota after host shift. The have a wide range of hosts, but the dynamic of gut microorganisms during host shift have not been thoroughly investigated. To understand the role of gut microbes in insect adaptation, it is necessary to study the dynamics of insect gut microorganisms during host transfer. Using (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae) and its four hosts as study subjects, we investigated the dynamics of gut microbes during host transfer and the effects of different hosts on the gut microbial composition of . The results showed that the Chao1 index of decreased significantly during host transfer, and the intestinal microorganisms were significantly affected by the original host, host, and generations. Furthermore, predicated changes in the abundance of secondary metabolite pathways after host transfer suggested that microorganisms may play an important role in the degradation of secondary metabolites, among which and have important functions in the gut of . This implied that microorganisms play a function in the host transfer process of and may be an important cofactor in the adaptation of to different hosts and environments, providing new research ideas for the future control of .