Gut Microbiota of Apis mellifera at Selected Ontogenetic Stages and Their Immunogenic Potential during Summer

Abstract

Honeybees (Apis mellifera) are pollinating agents of economic importance. The role of the gut microbiome in honeybee health has become increasingly evident due to its relationship with immune function, growth, and development. Although their dynamics at various developmental stages have been documented, their dynamics during the era of colony collapse disorder and immunogenic potential, which are connected to the antagonistic immune response against pathogens, need to be elucidated. Using 16S rRNA gene Illumina sequencing, the results indicated changes in the gut microbiota with the developmental stage. The bacterial diversity of fifth stage larva was significantly different among the other age groups, in which Fructobacillus, Escherichia-Shigella, Bombella, and Tyzzerella were unique bacteria. In addition, the diversity of the worker bee microbiome was distinct from that of the younger microbiome. Lactobacillus and Gilliamella remained conserved throughout the developmental stages, while Bifidobacterium colonized only worker bees. Using an in silico approach, the production potential of lipopolysaccharide-endotoxin was predicted. Forager bees tend to have a higher abundance rate of Gram-negative bacteria. Our results revealed the evolutionary importance of some microbiome from the larval stage to the adult stage, providing insight into the potential dynamics of disease response and susceptibility. This finding provides a theoretical foundation for furthering the understanding of the function of the gut microbiota at various developmental stages related to probiotic development and immunogenic potential.