Microbial Diversity in the Midguts of European Corn Borer Populations
Author Information
Author(s): Belda Eugeni, Pedrola Laia, Peretó Juli, Martínez-Blanch Juan F., Montagud Arnau, Navarro Emilio, Urchueguía Javier, Ramón Daniel, Moya Andrés, Porcar Manuel
Primary Institution: Institut Cavanilles de Biodiversitat i Biologia Evolutiva, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
Hypothesis
The study aims to compare the biodiversity of midgut-associated microbiota in field-collected and lab-reared populations of the European Corn Borer.
Conclusion
The study reveals significant differences in microbial diversity between lab-reared and field populations of the European Corn Borer, with the lab population being dominated by gram-positive bacteria and the field population showing greater taxonomic diversity.
Supporting Evidence
- The lab-reared population had a high abundance of Staphylococcus warneri and Weissella paramesenteroides.
- 208 different genera were detected in the lab-reared sample, although most were at low frequency.
- The field population exhibited a higher taxonomic diversity and a wider array of cellulolytic enzyme families.
Takeaway
Scientists looked at the tiny creatures living in the stomachs of corn borers and found that those raised in labs have different bacteria than those found in nature.
Methodology
High-throughput sequencing was used to analyze the gut microbiome of two populations of the European Corn Borer.
Potential Biases
The enrichment step on solid media may have introduced bias in the relative proportions of culturable versus unculturable bacteria.
Limitations
The lab-reared population may have been affected by exposure to antiseptic compounds during rearing, potentially altering its microbiota.
Participant Demographics
The study involved two populations of the European Corn Borer: one lab-reared and one field-collected.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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