Analysis of the gut microbiota of walking sticks (Phasmatodea)

BMC Research Notes

Chih-Horng Kuo³  Lynn S Kimsey¹  Wen-Sui Lo²  Matan Shelomi¹ 

[1] Department of Entomology, University of California, Davis, USA;Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan;Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan

关键词: Digestive system;    Symbionts;    16S rDNA;    Microbiota;    Phasmatodea;   

Others  :  1141611
DOI  :  10.1186/1756-0500-6-368

 received in 2013-02-20, accepted in 2013-09-05,  发布年份 2013

【 摘 要 】

Background

Little is known about the Phasmatodea gut microbial community, including whether phasmids have symbiotic bacteria aiding in their digestion. While symbionts are near ubiquitous in herbivorous insects, the Phasmatodea’s distinctively thin body shape precludes the gut enlargements needed for microbial fermentation. High-throughput sequencing was used to characterize the entire microbiota of the fat bodies, salivary glands, and anterior and posterior midguts of two species of walking stick.

Results

Most bacterial sequences belonged to a strain of Spiroplasma (Tenericutes) found primarily in the posterior midgut of the parthenogenetic species Ramulus artemis (Phasmatidae). Beyond this, no significant differences were found between the R. artemis midgut sections or between that species and Peruphasma schultei (Pseudophasmatidae). Histological analysis further indicated a lack of bacteriocytes.

Conclusions

Phasmids are unlikely to depend on bacteria for digestion, suggesting they produce enzymes endogenously that most other herbivorous insects obtain from symbionts. This conclusion matches predictions based on phasmid anatomy. The role of Spiroplasma in insects warrants further study.

【 授权许可】

   
2013 Shelomi et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

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