Seminal fluid of honeybees contains multiple mechanisms to combat infections of the sexually transmitted pathogen
            <i>Nosema apis</i>

Yan, Peng; Grassl, Julia; Millar, A. Harvey; Baer, Boris

doi:10.1098/rspb.2015.1785

Cited by 41 publications

(54 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…More convincingly, in the bedbug, Cimex lectularius, the negative effects of environmental microbes on sperm mortality (Table 1) were eliminated when bacteria were mixed with lysozyme (an antimicrobial enzyme) from chicken egg white, simulating the effect of the lysozymelike activity of bedbug seminal fluid contained in a single ejaculate [71]. Finally, in honeybees, male seminal fluid kills the facultatively sexually transmitted fungus Nosema apis through seminal fluid proteins, which disrupt the life cycle of the fungus by promoting extracellular germination, and nonprotein components of the seminal fluid, which damage fungal spores [72].…”

Section: Trends In Ecology and Evolutionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Reproductive Microbiome: An Emerging Driver of Sexual Selection, Sexual Conflict, Mating Systems, and Reproductive Isolation

Rowe

Veerus

Trosvik

et al. 2020

Trends in Ecology & Evolution

109

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All multicellular organisms host microbial communities in and on their bodies, and these microbiomes can have major influences on host biology. Most research has focussed on the oral, skin, and gut microbiomes, whereas relatively little is known about the reproductive microbiome. Here, we review empirical evidence to show that reproductive microbiomes can have significant effects on the reproductive function and performance of males and females. We then discuss the likely repercussions of these effects for evolutionary processes related to sexual selection and sexual conflict, as well as mating systems and reproductive isolation. We argue that knowledge of the reproductive microbiome is fundamental to our understanding of the evolutionary ecology of reproductive strategies and sexual dynamics of host organisms. The Microbiome Revolution and the Reproductive MicrobiomeAnimals and plants live and evolve in a world dominated by microbes, and host a diversity of microbial communities in and on their bodies. A recent explosion in research on host-associated microbial communities (i.e., microbiota and/or microbiomes, see Glossary) is revolutionising biology. While earlier research typically considered microorganisms from a pathological perspective, it is now widely accepted that the relationship between host and microbes spans a continuum, from detrimental to beneficial. Through their influence on host health, physiology, development, and behaviour [1,2], microbiomes can be seen as an integral part of the host phenotype, and potentially also the host genome (e.g., the hologenome concept [3], but see [4]). While considerable attention has been paid to the role of oral, skin, and gut microbiomes in host ecology, evolution, and fitness, less is known about the reproductive microbiome (Box 1). This is surprising given longstanding knowledge of microbes in male and female reproductive systems (e.g., [5]), most notably in the context of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) [6], and more recent DNA-sequencing studies demonstrating the presence of dynamic microbial communities in reproductive tissues [7], especially the vagina [8,9]. Thus, the reproductive microbiome represents an outstanding challenge in the study of host-associated microbial communities.

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Section: Trends In Ecology and Evolutionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Reproductive Microbiome: An Emerging Driver of Sexual Selection, Sexual Conflict, Mating Systems, and Reproductive Isolation

Rowe

Veerus

Trosvik

et al. 2020

Trends in Ecology & Evolution

109

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“…Consistent with this idea, the seminal fluid of several species is enriched with antibodies and other proteins with antimicrobial peptides [73]. Seminal fluid can also contain vesicles, prostasomes, and exosomes with immunosuppressive properties [74], and one of their functions might be to inhibit the female immune response to sperm.…”

Section: Evolutionary and Functional Implications Of Cfcmentioning

confidence: 83%

Postmating Female Control: 20 Years of Cryptic Female Choice

Firman

Gasparini

Manier

et al. 2017

Trends in Ecology & Evolution

285

329

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Cryptic female choice (CFC) represents postmating intersexual selection arising from female-driven mechanisms at or after mating that bias sperm use and impact male paternity share. Although biologists began to study CFC relatively late, largely spurred by Eberhard’s book published 20 years ago, the field has grown rapidly since then. Here, we review empirical progress to show that numerous female processes offer potential for CFC, from mating through to fertilization, although seldom has CFC been clearly demonstrated. We then evaluate functional implications, and argue that, under some conditions, CFC might have repercussions for female fitness, sexual conflict, and intersexual coevolution, with ramifications for related evolutionary phenomena, such as speciation. We conclude by identifying directions for future research in this rapidly growing field.

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“…The top category for which function could be assigned was comprised of 16 genes with chitinase activity, 12 of which are clustered on scaffolds KQ079939 (7 genes) and KQ080089 (5 genes). Chitinases confer anti-fungal activity in honey bee seminal secretions, preventing the transfer of pathogenic spores during copulation [53]. Such protective properties would be beneficial to Stomoxys given the high probability of exposure to fungi in the moist and microbe rich substrates in which females oviposit.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Functional genomics of the stable fly,Stomoxys calcitrans, reveals mechanisms underlying reproduction, host interactions, and novel targets for pest control

Pu¹,

Aksoy²,

et al. 2019

Preprint

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57Background: The stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans, is a major blood-feeding pest of livestock that 58 has near worldwide distribution, causing an annual cost of over $2 billion for control and product 59 loss in the United States alone. Control of these flies has been limited to increased sanitary 60 management practices and insecticide application for suppressing larval stages. Few genetic 61 and molecular resources are available to help in developing novel methods for controlling stable 62 flies. 63 64 Results: This study examines stable fly biology by utilizing a combination of high-quality 65 genome sequencing, microbiome analyses, and RNA-seq analyses targeting multiple 66 developmental stages and tissues. In conjunction, manual curation of over 1600 genes was 67 used to examine gene content related to stable fly reproduction, interactions with their host, 68 host-microbe dynamics, and putative routes for control. Most notable was establishment of 69 reproduction-associated genes and identification of expanded vision, chemosensation, immune 70 repertoire, and metabolic detoxification pathway gene families. 71 72 Conclusions: The combined sequencing, assembly, and curation of the male stable fly genome 73 followed by RNA-seq and downstream analyses provide insights necessary to understand the 74 biology of this important pest. These resources and knowledge will provide the groundwork for 75 expanding the tools available to control stable fly infestations. The close relationship of 76 Stomoxys to other blood-feeding (Glossina) and non-blood-feeding flies (medflies, Drosophila, 77 house flies) will allow for understanding the evolution of blood feeding among Cyclorrhapha 78 flies. 79 80 immunity 83 Additional File 1: Supplementary Material; Additional File 2: Supplementary Tables 84 Supplementary Dataset Files: 10 85 109 or a contaminated substrate to a susceptible host, association between specific vector and 110 pathogen is not necessary) of Equine infectious anemia, African swine fever, West Nile, and Rift 111 Valley Viruses, Trypanosoma spp., and Besnoitia spp. (reviewed by [13]). The apparent low 112 vector competence of stable flies implicates the importance of immune system pathways not 113 only in regulating larval survival in microbe-rich environments but also in the inability of 114 pathogens to survive and replicate in the adult midgut following ingestion [14-16]. 115 Stable fly mate location and recognition are largely dependent upon visual cues and contact 116 pheromones [17, 18], and gravid females identify suitable oviposition sites through a 117 combination of olfactory and contact chemostimuli along with physical cues [19, 20]. Since 118 stable flies infrequently associate with their hosts, feeding only 1 to 2 times per day, on-animal 119 5 and pesticide applications are less effective control efforts than those that integrate sanitation 120 practices with fly population suppression by way of traps [21]. Given the importance of 121 chemosensory and vision pathways, repellents have been ident...

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Seminal fluid of honeybees contains multiple mechanisms to combat infections of the sexually transmitted pathogen Nosema apis

Cited by 41 publications

References 52 publications

The Reproductive Microbiome: An Emerging Driver of Sexual Selection, Sexual Conflict, Mating Systems, and Reproductive Isolation

The Reproductive Microbiome: An Emerging Driver of Sexual Selection, Sexual Conflict, Mating Systems, and Reproductive Isolation

Postmating Female Control: 20 Years of Cryptic Female Choice

Functional genomics of the stable fly,Stomoxys calcitrans, reveals mechanisms underlying reproduction, host interactions, and novel targets for pest control

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