title: Gut microbiota of Tenebrio molitor and their response to environmental change.
abstract: A bacterial community analysis of the gut of Tenebrio molitor larvae was performed using pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. A predominance of genus Spiroplasma species in phylum Tenericutes was observed in the gut samples, but there was variation found in the community composition between T. molitor individuals. The gut bacteria community structure was not significantly affected by the presence of antibiotics or by the exposure of T. molitor larvae to a highly diverse soil bacteria community. A negative relationship was identified between bacterial diversity and ampicillin concentration; however, no negative relationship was identified with the addition of kanamycin. Ampicillin treatment resulted in a reduction in the bacterial community size, estimated using the 16S rRNA gene copy number. A detailed phylogenetic analysis indicated that the Spiroplasma-associated sequences originating from the T. molitor larvae were distinct from previously identified Spiroplasma type species, implying the presence of novel Spiroplasma species. Some Spiroplasma species are known to be insect pathogens; however, the T. molitor larvae did not experience any harmful effects arising from the presence of Spiroplasma species, indicating that Spiroplasma in the gut of T. molitor larvae do not act as a pathogen to the host. A comparison with the bacterial communities found in other insects (Apis and Solenopsis) showed that the Spiroplasma species found in this study were specific to T. molitor.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Environmental Microbiology, Department of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 136-713, Republic of Korea, Institute of Life Science and Natural Resources, Korea University, Seoul 136-713, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jaejoon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Aram
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Heo
authors.forename: Yong Woo
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Ye Ji
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hyelim
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Koh
authors.forename: Woojun
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000667:Ampicillin / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000382:microbiology*; D007814:Larva / Q000382:microbiology; D059013:Microbial Consortia / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D013149:Spiroplasma; D013712:Tenebrio / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000667:Ampicillin; D010100:Oxygen