Neobathyscia mancinii (Jeannel, 1924) and Neobathyscia pasai (Ruffo, 1950) are two cave-dwelling Coleoptera (Leiodidae, Cholevinae,), which inhabit two caves located in the Prealps of the Veneto Region (Damati Cave and Tana delle Sponde Cave, respectively). In detail, N. mancinii is confined in the internal part of Damati Cave characterized by a constant temperature during the year, while N. pasai mostly colonizes the cave entrance where the temperature is more variable and the energy sources might be more abundant (Latella et al. 2009; Bernabò et al., 2011). Little is known about the behaviour and the physiological adaptation of these troglobite insects to cave environments, which are characterized by specific conditions as perpetual darkness, high humidity and sporadic food sources. It has been observed that the complex microbial community associated to insects plays substantial biological roles for the host organisms and contributes to host fitness and adaptation (Colman et al. 2012; Shi et al. 2013). The present project aimed at characterizing the gut microbiota of N. pasai and N. mancinii as a unique opportunity to gain insights about the behaviour of these insects and their eating habits in the cave environment. A total of 90 insects (60 N. pasai and 30 N. mancinii) were collected from December 2013 to April 2014 both in Damati and Tana delle Sponde caves and they were pooled in samples of ten insects each. Total DNA was extracted from each pool and subjected to PCR amplification using universal primer designed on ribosomal gene sequences. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) was applied in order to investigate bacterial and fungal communities present in the gut of these insects. Selected DGGE bands were subjected to sequencing to identify the most relevant members of these complex communities at genus and species level. Results provide novel information on adaptation to cave environment of N. pasai and N. mancinii. Moreover, insects could be seen as natural reservoir of bacteria, therefore contributing to the microbial community involved in natural processes in the underground.
Exploring gut microbiota composition of the two caves coleoptera species Neobathyscia pasai and Neobathyscia mancinii
CASTIONI, Anna;SALVETTI, Elisa;TORRIANI, Sandra;FELIS, Giovanna
2014-01-01
Abstract
Neobathyscia mancinii (Jeannel, 1924) and Neobathyscia pasai (Ruffo, 1950) are two cave-dwelling Coleoptera (Leiodidae, Cholevinae,), which inhabit two caves located in the Prealps of the Veneto Region (Damati Cave and Tana delle Sponde Cave, respectively). In detail, N. mancinii is confined in the internal part of Damati Cave characterized by a constant temperature during the year, while N. pasai mostly colonizes the cave entrance where the temperature is more variable and the energy sources might be more abundant (Latella et al. 2009; Bernabò et al., 2011). Little is known about the behaviour and the physiological adaptation of these troglobite insects to cave environments, which are characterized by specific conditions as perpetual darkness, high humidity and sporadic food sources. It has been observed that the complex microbial community associated to insects plays substantial biological roles for the host organisms and contributes to host fitness and adaptation (Colman et al. 2012; Shi et al. 2013). The present project aimed at characterizing the gut microbiota of N. pasai and N. mancinii as a unique opportunity to gain insights about the behaviour of these insects and their eating habits in the cave environment. A total of 90 insects (60 N. pasai and 30 N. mancinii) were collected from December 2013 to April 2014 both in Damati and Tana delle Sponde caves and they were pooled in samples of ten insects each. Total DNA was extracted from each pool and subjected to PCR amplification using universal primer designed on ribosomal gene sequences. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) was applied in order to investigate bacterial and fungal communities present in the gut of these insects. Selected DGGE bands were subjected to sequencing to identify the most relevant members of these complex communities at genus and species level. Results provide novel information on adaptation to cave environment of N. pasai and N. mancinii. Moreover, insects could be seen as natural reservoir of bacteria, therefore contributing to the microbial community involved in natural processes in the underground.
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