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The Gut-Brain-Microbiome Axis in Bumble Bees.

Laura Leger¹, Quinn S McFrederick¹

¹Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.

|August 14, 2020

Summary

The gut microbiome may not influence learning and memory in bumble bees. This study found no difference in cognitive performance between microbe-inoculated and microbe-depleted bees, suggesting no brain-gut-microbiome axis in this insect.

Keywords:

free moving proboscis extension response (FMPER) assays germ free bees insect cognition

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Microbiology
Insect Science

Background:

The brain-gut-microbiome axis is well-studied in vertebrates, linking gut microbes to physiological functions and cognition.
Perturbations in the gut microbiome are associated with cognitive deficits and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Little is known about the brain-gut-microbiome axis in insects, particularly regarding its influence on cognition.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the potential influence of the gut microbiota on learning and memory in adult bumble bees (Bombus impatiens).
To test the hypothesis that the gut microbiota impacts cognitive functions in bees, analogous to findings in vertebrates.

Main Methods:

Bumble bees were reared under two conditions: microbe-inoculated and microbe-depleted.
Experimental bees were trained to associate a color with a sucrose reward.
Learning and memory performance was assessed through a behavioral assay measuring the ability to recall the rewarding color.

Main Results:

No significant difference in learning and memory performance was observed between microbe-inoculated and microbe-depleted bumble bees.
The behavioral assay did not reveal any impact of gut microbiota status on cognitive function in the tested bees.

Conclusions:

The findings suggest that a discernible brain-gut-microbiome axis, influencing learning and memory, may not be present in Bombus impatiens.
Further research in diverse invertebrate systems is recommended to explore the broader phenomenon of the brain-gut-microbiome axis.