Dynamic microbiome evolution in social bees

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Microbiology

Background:

• Highly social corbiculate bees (honey bees, bumble bees, stingless bees) are vital pollinators for ecosystems and agriculture.
• Their gut microbiota plays a crucial role in their health and function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the evolutionary history of the gut microbiota in eusocial corbiculate bees.
• To understand the factors shaping bee gut microbial communities, including host sociality and ecology.

Main Methods:

• Wide phylogenetic sampling of corbiculate bee species across four continents.
• Analysis of gut microbial community composition and structure.

Main Results:

• Bee gut communities are distinct between host species, largely independent of geography.
• Evidence of multiple gains and losses of gut bacteria throughout bee evolution.
• Host ecology, such as colony size, influences microbial community diversification.
• Five core bacterial lineages were acquired with the emergence of eusociality in bees.

Conclusions:

• The evolution of bee sociality is linked to the development and maintenance of specialized gut microbiomes.
• Host-microbe interactions in bees are shaped by a combination of shared heritage and host-specific adaptations.