Distinct assembly processes of intestinal and non-intestinal microbes of bark beetles from clues of metagenomic insights

Abstract Ips (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) bark beetles (BBs) are ecologically and economically devastating coniferous pests in the Northern Hemisphere. Although the microbial diversity associated with these beetles has been well studied, mechanisms of community assembly and the functional roles of ke...

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Main Authors: Caixia Liu, Huimin Wang, Zheng Wang, Lingyu Liang, Yaning Li, Duanchong Liu, Quan Lu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-03-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-91621-9
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author Caixia Liu
Huimin Wang
Zheng Wang
Lingyu Liang
Yaning Li
Duanchong Liu
Quan Lu
author_facet Caixia Liu
Huimin Wang
Zheng Wang
Lingyu Liang
Yaning Li
Duanchong Liu
Quan Lu
author_sort Caixia Liu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Ips (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) bark beetles (BBs) are ecologically and economically devastating coniferous pests in the Northern Hemisphere. Although the microbial diversity associated with these beetles has been well studied, mechanisms of community assembly and the functional roles of key microbes remain poorly understood. This study investigates the microbial community structures and functions in both intestinal and non-intestinal environments of five Ips BBs using a metagenomic approach. The findings reveal similar microbial community compositions, though the α-diversity of dominant taxa differs between intestinal and non-intestinal environments due to the variability in bark beetle species, host trees, and habitats. Intestinal microbial communities are predominantly shaped homogenizing dispersal (HD) and undominated processes (UP), whereas non-intestinal microbial communities are primarily driven by heterogeneous selection (HS). Functional analysis shows that genes and enzymes associated with steroid biosynthesis and oxidative phosphorylation are primarily found in non-intestinal fungal symbionts Ogataea, Wickerhamomyce, Ophiostoma, and Ceratocystis of Ips species. Genes and enzymes involved in degrading terpenoids, phenolic compounds, and polysaccharides are predominately found in the intestinal Acinetobacter, Erwinia, and Serratia. This study provides valuable and in-depth insights into the symbiotic relationships between Ips BBs and their microbial partners, enhancing our understanding of insect-microbe coevolution and suggesting new strategies for pest management.
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spelling doaj-art-a9c714cc563d441ebd14c5d29d6ed8332025-08-20T02:59:27ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-03-0115111710.1038/s41598-025-91621-9Distinct assembly processes of intestinal and non-intestinal microbes of bark beetles from clues of metagenomic insightsCaixia Liu0Huimin Wang1Zheng Wang2Lingyu Liang3Yaning Li4Duanchong Liu5Quan Lu6Key Laboratory of Forest Protection of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Ecology and Nature Conservation InstituteKey Laboratory of Forest Protection of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Ecology and Nature Conservation InstituteCollege of Plant Protection, Shandong Agricultural UniversityKey Laboratory of Forest Protection of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Ecology and Nature Conservation InstituteKey Laboratory of Forest Protection of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Ecology and Nature Conservation InstituteKey Laboratory of Forest Protection of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Ecology and Nature Conservation InstituteKey Laboratory of Forest Protection of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Ecology and Nature Conservation InstituteAbstract Ips (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) bark beetles (BBs) are ecologically and economically devastating coniferous pests in the Northern Hemisphere. Although the microbial diversity associated with these beetles has been well studied, mechanisms of community assembly and the functional roles of key microbes remain poorly understood. This study investigates the microbial community structures and functions in both intestinal and non-intestinal environments of five Ips BBs using a metagenomic approach. The findings reveal similar microbial community compositions, though the α-diversity of dominant taxa differs between intestinal and non-intestinal environments due to the variability in bark beetle species, host trees, and habitats. Intestinal microbial communities are predominantly shaped homogenizing dispersal (HD) and undominated processes (UP), whereas non-intestinal microbial communities are primarily driven by heterogeneous selection (HS). Functional analysis shows that genes and enzymes associated with steroid biosynthesis and oxidative phosphorylation are primarily found in non-intestinal fungal symbionts Ogataea, Wickerhamomyce, Ophiostoma, and Ceratocystis of Ips species. Genes and enzymes involved in degrading terpenoids, phenolic compounds, and polysaccharides are predominately found in the intestinal Acinetobacter, Erwinia, and Serratia. This study provides valuable and in-depth insights into the symbiotic relationships between Ips BBs and their microbial partners, enhancing our understanding of insect-microbe coevolution and suggesting new strategies for pest management.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-91621-9Bark beetlesCore taxaUnigenesComplex compoundsStochastic processDeterministic process
spellingShingle Caixia Liu
Huimin Wang
Zheng Wang
Lingyu Liang
Yaning Li
Duanchong Liu
Quan Lu
Distinct assembly processes of intestinal and non-intestinal microbes of bark beetles from clues of metagenomic insights
Scientific Reports
Bark beetles
Core taxa
Unigenes
Complex compounds
Stochastic process
Deterministic process
title Distinct assembly processes of intestinal and non-intestinal microbes of bark beetles from clues of metagenomic insights
title_full Distinct assembly processes of intestinal and non-intestinal microbes of bark beetles from clues of metagenomic insights
title_fullStr Distinct assembly processes of intestinal and non-intestinal microbes of bark beetles from clues of metagenomic insights
title_full_unstemmed Distinct assembly processes of intestinal and non-intestinal microbes of bark beetles from clues of metagenomic insights
title_short Distinct assembly processes of intestinal and non-intestinal microbes of bark beetles from clues of metagenomic insights
title_sort distinct assembly processes of intestinal and non intestinal microbes of bark beetles from clues of metagenomic insights
topic Bark beetles
Core taxa
Unigenes
Complex compounds
Stochastic process
Deterministic process
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-91621-9
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