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Honeybee intestines retain low yeast titers, but no bacterial mutualists, at emergence
James P Tauber1,2, Dino McMahon2,3, Eugene V Ryabov1
1Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, US Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland, USA.
Abstract:
Honeybee symbionts, predominantly bacteria, play important roles in honeybee health, nutrition, and pathogen protection, thereby supporting colony health. On the other hand, fungi are often considered indicators of poor bee health, and honeybee microbiome studies generally exclude fungi and yeasts. We hypothesized that yeasts may be an important aspect of early honeybee biology, and if yeasts provide a mutual benefit to their hosts, then honeybees could provide a refuge during metamorphosis to ensure the presence of yeasts at emergence. We surveyed for yeast and fungi during pupal development and metamorphosis in worker bees using fungal-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), next-generation sequencing, and standard microbiological culturing. On the basis of yeast presence in three distinct apiaries and multiple developmental stages, we conclude that yeasts can survive through metamorphosis and in naïve worker bees, albeit at relatively low levels. In comparison, known bacterial mutualists, like Gilliamella and Snodgrassella, were generally not found in pre-eclosed adult bees. Whether yeasts are actively retained as an important part of the bee microbiota or are passively propagating in the colony remains unknown. Our demonstration of the constancy of yeasts throughout development provides a framework to further understand the honeybee microbiota.
Insights
Yeasts can survive honeybee metamorphosis, unlike key bacterial symbionts. This study explores the role of yeasts in the honeybee microbiome during development.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Entomology
- Symbiotic relationships
Background:
- Honeybee symbionts, primarily bacteria, are crucial for bee health and immunity.
- Fungi and yeasts are typically excluded from honeybee microbiome studies and often associated with poor bee health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and persistence of yeasts during honeybee pupal development and metamorphosis.
- To test the hypothesis that yeasts may be retained by honeybees as a beneficial symbiont through metamorphosis.
Main Methods:
- Fungal-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).
- Next-generation sequencing.
- Standard microbiological culturing of honeybee pupae across developmental stages.
Main Results:
- Yeasts were detected in honeybee pupae throughout metamorphosis and in newly emerged adult bees across three apiaries.
- Unlike yeasts, common bacterial symbionts (Gilliamella, Snodgrassella) were largely absent in pre-eclosed adult bees.
- Yeast presence was relatively low but consistent through the developmental stages examined.
Conclusions:
- Yeasts can persist through honeybee metamorphosis, suggesting a potential role in the early life stages of the bee microbiome.
- The study provides a foundation for further research into the active role, if any, of yeasts in honeybee health and symbiosis.
- Further investigation is needed to determine if yeast retention is an active process or passive propagation within the colony.
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