Socially transmitted gut microbiota protect bumble bees against an intestinal parasite.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Koch H
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3228419 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Nov
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Socially transmitted gut microbiota protect bumble bees against an intestinal parasite.
Koch Hauke H Schmid-Hempel Paul P
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 20111114 48
Populations of important pollinators, such as bumble bees and honey bees, are declining at alarming rates worldwide. Parasites are likely contributing to this phenomenon. A distinct resident community of bacteria has recently been identified in bumble bees and honey bees that is not shared with related solitary bee species. We now show that the presence of these microbiota protects bee hosts against a widespread and highly virulent natural parasite (Crithidia bombi) in an experimental setting. W ...[more]
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