Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology (Feb 2024)

Distinct fungal microbiomes of two Thai commercial stingless bee species, Lepidotrigona terminata and Tetragonula pagdeni suggest a possible niche separation in a shared habitat

  • Diana C. Castillo,
  • Diana C. Castillo,
  • Diana C. Castillo,
  • Chainarong Sinpoo,
  • Chainarong Sinpoo,
  • Chainarong Sinpoo,
  • Patcharin Phokasem,
  • Patcharin Phokasem,
  • Patcharin Phokasem,
  • Rujipas Yongsawas,
  • Rujipas Yongsawas,
  • Chakriya Sansupa,
  • Korrawat Attasopa,
  • Korrawat Attasopa,
  • Korrawat Attasopa,
  • Nakarin Suwannarach,
  • Nakarin Suwannarach,
  • Nakarin Suwannarach,
  • Sahutchai Inwongwan,
  • Sahutchai Inwongwan,
  • Sahutchai Inwongwan,
  • Nuttapol Noirungsee,
  • Nuttapol Noirungsee,
  • Nuttapol Noirungsee,
  • Terd Disayathanoowat,
  • Terd Disayathanoowat,
  • Terd Disayathanoowat

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2024.1367010
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14

Abstract

Read online

Stingless bees, a social corbiculate bee member, play a crucial role in providing pollination services. Despite their importance, the structure of their microbiome, particularly the fungal communities, remains poorly understood. This study presents an initial characterization of the fungal community associated with two Thai commercial stingless bee species, Lepidotrigona terminata (Smith) and Tetragonula pagdeni (Schwarz) from Chiang Mai, Thailand. Utilizing ITS amplicon sequencing, we identified distinct fungal microbiomes in these two species. Notably, fungi from the phyla Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Mucoromycota, Mortierellomycota, and Rozellomycota were present. The most dominant genera, which varied significantly between species, included Candida and Starmerella. Additionally, several key enzymes associated with energy metabolism, structural strength, and host defense reactions, such as adenosine triphosphatase, alcohol dehydrogenase, β-glucosidase, chitinase, and peptidylprolyl isomerase, were predicted. Our findings not only augment the limited knowledge of the fungal microbiome in Thai commercial stingless bees but also provide insights for their sustainable management through understanding their microbiome.

Keywords