6533b855fe1ef96bd12b00ae
RESEARCH PRODUCT
Microbiome-assisted carrion preservation aids larval development in a burying beetle
Shantanu P. ShuklaDavid G. HeckelAndreas VilcinskasAndreas VilcinskasCamila PlataHeiko VogelMichael ReicheltMartin KaltenpothSandra Steigersubject
0301 basic medicineZoologyDecomposer03 medical and health scienceschemistry.chemical_compoundCadaverinePutrescineinsect nutritionAnimalsCarrionMicrobiomeresource competitionLarvaCadaverineMultidisciplinaryEcologygut microbiotaBacteriabiologyMicrobiotafungusfungiFungifood and beveragesBiological Sciencesbiology.organism_classificationNicrophorus vespilloidessymbiosisColeoptera030104 developmental biologyMicrobial population biologychemistryBiofilmsLarvaBurying beetleTranscriptomedescription
Significance Ephemeral diets such as carrion are high-quality resources that are susceptible to microbial spoilage. Carrion-feeding insects that breed on decaying carcasses must overcome challenges arising from competing microbes. Here we report that a carrion-feeding burying beetle preserves carcasses by regulating its microbial growth, resulting in changes in its biochemical properties including the reduction of toxic polyamines associated with putrefaction and nutrient loss. The beetle’s microbial symbionts form a biofilm-like matrix on carcasses, which is important for optimal larval development. The beetles and their microbiome thus coordinate a specialized adaptive strategy of carrion management, enabling them to preserve carrion quality and support larval growth in a challenging resource such as carrion.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-10-01 |