Review paper
The microbiota of stingless bees: adaptive advantages in their development, feeding, and protection
Maurice-Lira, Jorge Víctor; Romero-Nápoles, Jesús; Ferrera-Cerrato, Ronald; Flores-Maldonado, Karla Yolanda; Pérez-Moreno, Jesús; Guzmán-Franco, Ariel Wilbert; González-Hernández, Héctor
Entomologia Generalis Volume 44 Number 4 (2024), p. 779 - 795
published: Sep 30, 2024
published online: Aug 16, 2024
manuscript accepted: Jun 19, 2024
final revised version received: Apr 26, 2024
manuscript revision requested: Apr 5, 2024
manuscript received: Nov 20, 2023
DOI: 10.1127/entomologia/2024/2360
Open Access (paper may be downloaded free of charge)
Abstract
The review discusses how microbial metabolism in stingless bees contributes to their survival. Eight specific functions that support the survival of stingless bees were identified: (1) nutrient assimilation in larvae; (2) assimilation of nutrients in imagoes; (3) hormone synthesis; (4) food production; (5) food preservation; (6) resistance and resilience to pollution; (7) resistance to detriment of floral diversity; and (8) protection against pathogens. These specific functions are grouped within two general processes: (a) bee development and nutrition, and (b) colony protection. Elucidating the functions of the microbiota in stingless bees can optimize strategies to enhance their resilience against climate change, global warming, and ecosystem degradation. However, it is important to point out that in general the microbiota associated with stingless bees has been scarcely explored as a genetic reservoir of microorganisms with biotechnological potential.
Keywords
microbiota • holobiont • insect-microorganism mutualism • Meliponini • microbial metabolism