Development but not diet alters microbial communities in the Neotropical arboreal trap jaw ant Daceton armigerum: an exploratory study

Abstract

To better understand the evolutionary significance of symbiotic interactions in nature, microbiome studies can help to identify the ecological factors that may shape host-associated microbial communities. In this study we explored both 16S and 18S rRNA microbial communities of D. armigerum from both wild caught individuals collected in the Amazon and individuals kept in the laboratory and fed on controlled diets. We also investigated the role of colony, sample type, development and caste on structuring microbial communities. Our bacterial results (16S rRNA) reveal that (1) there are colony level differences between bacterial communities; (2) castes do not structure communities; (3) immature stages (brood) have different bacterial communities than adults; and 4) individuals kept in the laboratory with a restricted diet showed no differences in their bacterial communities from their wild caught nest mates, which could indicate the presence of a stable and persistent resident bacterial community in this host species. The same categories were also tested for microbial eukaryote communities (18S rRNA), and (5) developmental stage has an influence on the diversity recovered; (6) the diversity of taxa recovered has shown this can be an important tool to understand additional aspects of host biology and species interactions.

What Can the Bacterial Community of Atta sexdens (Linnaeus, 1758) Tell Us about the Habitats in Which This Ant Species Evolves?

“…There are several factors that can predict and influence the diversity (composition and abundance) of microbial communities associated with a given host [ 8 ]. The microbiota of leaf-cutting ants has already been addressed in several studies [ 23 , 27 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 69 , 70 , 71 ], but there remains much to understand about the drivers of these symbioses.…”

“…In another study of Acromyrmex spp., besides Entomoplasmatales, the bacteria Wolbachia and Rhizobiales were highlighted in association with these ants. These latter two bacteria are highly associated with several genera of ants [ 2 , 8 , 36 , 99 ]. While the function of Wolbachia associated with ants is still unknown, it is transmitted vertically, although its diversity is influenced by geography [ 17 , 36 , 100 ].…”

“…Recent next-generation sequencing techniques have made it possible to analyze the communities of bacteria present in several hosts. Specifically for ants, many studies have demonstrated the importance of these symbionts and how they can influence host attributes [ 2 , 6 , 8 , 10 , 20 , 106 ]. However, studies of microbial interactions are challenging because they involve dynamic systems that can be shaped by the sum of abiotic factors, as presented here.…”

“…Several studies have focused on understanding the factors that influence bacterial communities and their implications for the host, ranging from mammals [ 1 ] to ants [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Previous studies on vertebrate and invertebrate animals, including insects, have shown that bacterial communities are influenced by different factors such as host phylogeny [ 5 , 9 , 10 ], stages of development [ 4 , 11 ] and host environment [ 3 ].…”

In their sister’s footsteps: Taxonomic divergence obscures substantial functional overlap among the metabolically diverse symbiotic gut communities of adult and larval turtle ants

“…Holometabolous insects undergo a complete reorganization of their body plan during metamorphosis, producing adults with a transformed physiology and ecology, and, often, with distinct gut microbiomes bearing little resemblance to those in larvae [24]. Such stage-specific symbioses are common in some eusocial hymenopterans, like honeybees and ants [25–28], despite the possibility of social transfer of microbes between life stages. The digestive roles of gut microbial symbionts in early life stages have been studied in few insects from other orders, where bacteria occasionally show capacities for in vitro degradation of recalcitrant, plant-derived fibers in some lepidopterans, orthopterans and dipterans [29–33], and for N-fixation and N-recycling in some coleopteran larvae [34, 35].…”