Bacterial communities associated with Megalopyge opercularis (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Megalopygidae): exploring poisonous lepidopterans
Abstract
Megalopyge opercularis (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Megalopyridae) is a nocturnal moth of medical importance because it causes adverse immunological reactions in humans. In this study, we determined the microbiota composition of M. opercularis at the larval (caterpillars) and adult (moths) stages by next-generation sequencing. DNA was extracted from the caterpillars and moths, and the 16S rRNA prokaryote gene was then amplified and sequenced with next-generation sequencing to assess bacterial richness. Comparison of the microbiota of the caterpillars and adults revealed variation in species composition and diversity. The microbiota of the caterpillars of M. opercularis was composed of 259 species, dominated by the families Geodermatophilaceae (12%), Propionibacteriaceae (10.41%), Clostridiaceae (9.63%), and Nitriliruptoraceae (7.72%). In the adult moths, we found 138 species, and the most abundant families were Nostocaceae (24%) and Methylobacteriaceae (21%). Species richness in M. opercularis was higher in the caterpillars compared to adults. We determined that only some groups of bacteria could persist from 1 stage to another. The results obtained are essential to know about the ecology of M. opercularis and contribute to our understanding of the impact that microorganisms have on the physiological mechanisms of poisonous lepidopterans.
Resumen
Megalopyge opercularis (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Megalopyridae) es una especie de polilla nocturna perteneciente a la familia Megalopyridae de importancia médica debido a las reacciones inmunológicas causadas en humanos por sustancias urticantes ubicadas en sus estructuras espinosas. En este estudio, determinamos el microbioma de M. opercularis en su estado larval y en su estado adulto. Se extrajo el ADN de larvas y adultos y se amplificó el gen rRNA 16S mediante tecnologías de secuenciación de nueva generación. Las comparaciones del microbioma larval contra el microbioma adulto revelaron variación tanto en la composición como en la diversidad de especie. El microbioma larval de M. opercularis está compuesto de 259 especies, dominado por las familias Geodermatophilaceae (12%), Propionibacteriaceae (10.41%), Clostridiaceae (9.63%), y Nitriliruptoraceae (7.72%). En el microbioma adulto encontramos 138 especies, las familias más abundantes fueron Nostocaceae (24%) y Methylobacteriaceae (21%). La riqueza de especies encontradas en M. opercularis fue mayor en las orugas en comparación con los adultos. Determinamos que solo algunos grupos de bacterias podían persistir de una etapa a otra. Los resultados obtenidos son importantes para conocer la ecología de esta polilla y contribuyen a comprender el impacto que tienen los microorganismos en los mecanismos fisiológicos de los lepidópteros venenosos.
Key Words: moth; caterpillar; gut; symbionts; microbiome; poisonous lepidopterans
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