Dynamic Change of Gut Microbiota in the Male Bee of Bombus terrestris (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Abstract

The gut microbiota plays a key role in the development and health of bumble bees. Male bees are important for the reproductive activity of a colony, yet there are few studies on their gut microbiota. By using qPCR, we found that significant changes in total bacteria and six important bacteria genera from different developmental age points in males. And we compare the gut bacteria of male bees with workers. The results indicate that Gilliamella, Snodgrassella, and Lactobacillus are the dominant gut bacteria in male bees, which is consistent with the previous studies in worker bees, however, there are more total bacteria in male bees. Another gut bacteria genus, Bacillus may be a probiotic bacteria for reproduction in male bees, although the possible function of these bacteria require further study. This research can provide insight into the relationship between the bacterial community and the physiological health and reproductive capacity of male bumble bees.