Search

Blood-feeding enriched gut-microbiota boosts mosquitoes' anti-Plasmodium immunity. Here, we ask how Plasmodium vivax alters gut-microbiota, anti-Plasmodial immunity, and impacts tripartite Plasmodium-mosquito-microbiota interactions in the gut lumen. We used a metagenomics and RNAseq strategy to address these questions. In naïve mosquitoes, Elizabethkingia meningitis and Pseudomonas spp. are the dominant bacteria and blood-feeding leads to a heightened detection of Elizabethkingia, Pseudomonas and Serratia 16S rRNA. A parallel RNAseq analysis of blood-fed midguts also shows the presence of Elizabethkingia-related transcripts. After, P. vivax infected blood-meal, however, we do not detect bacterial 16S rRNA until circa 36 h. Intriguingly, the transcriptional expression of a selected array of antimicrobial arsenal cecropins 1–2, defensin-1, and gambicin remained low during the first 36 h—a time frame when ookinetes/early oocysts invaded the gut. We conclude during the preinvasive phase, P. vivax outcompetes midgut-microbiota. This microbial suppression likely negates the impact of mosquito immunity which in turn may enhance the survival of P. vivax. Detection of sequences matching to mosquito-associated Wolbachia opens a new inquiry for its exploration as an agent for “paratransgenesis-based” mosquito control.

International audience; Planorbidae snails are the intermediate host for the trematode parasite of the Schistosoma genus which is responsible for schistosomiasis, a disease that affects both humans and cattle. The microbiota for Schistosoma has already been described as having an affect on host/parasite interactions, specifically through immunological interactions. Here we sought to characterize the microbiota composition of seven Planorbidae species and strains. Individual snail microbiota was determined using 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing. The bacterial composition was highly specific to host strain with limited inter-individual variation. In addition, it displayed complete congruence with host phylogeny, revealing a phylosymbiosis pattern. These results were confirmed in common garden, suggesting that the host highly constrains microbial composition. This study presents the first comparison of bacterial communities between several intermediate snail hosts of Schistosoma parasites, paving the way for further studies on the understanding of this tripartite interaction.

The synergistic interaction between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) can enhance growth and phosphorous uptake in plants. Since PSBs are well known hyphal colonizers we sought to understand this physical interaction and exploit it in order to design strategies for the application of a combined microbial inoculum. Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria strongly attached to the hyphae of Rhizoglomus irregulare were isolated using a two compartment system (root and hyphal compartments), which were separated by a nylon mesh through which AMF hyphae could pass but not plant roots. Allium ampeloprasum (Leek) was used as the host plant inoculated with R. irregulare. A total of 128 bacteria were isolated, of which 12 showed stable phosphate solubilizing activity. Finally, three bacteria belonging to the genus Pseudomonas showed the potential for inorganic and organic phosphate mobilization along with other plant growth promoting traits. These PSBs were further evaluated for their functional characteristics and their interaction with AMF. The impact of single or co-inoculations of the selected bacteria and AMF on Solanum lycopersicum was tested and we found that plants inoculated with the combination of fungus and bacteria had significantly higher plant biomass compared to single inoculations, indicating synergistic activities of the bacterial-fungal consortium.

Serendipita (=Piriformospora) indica is a fungal endophytic symbiont with the capabilities to enhance plant growth and confer resistance to different stresses. However, the application of this fungus in the field has led to inconsistent results, perhaps due to antagonism with other microbes. Here, we studied the impact of individual bacterial isolates from the endophytic bacterial community on the in vitro growth of S. indica. We further analyzed how combinations of bacteria and S. indica influence plant growth and protection against the phytopathogens Fusarium oxysporum and Rhizoctonia solani. Bacterial strains of the genera Bacillus, Enterobacter and Burkholderia negatively affected S. indica growth on plates, whereas Mycolicibacterium, Rhizobium, Paenibacillus strains and several other bacteria from different taxa stimulated fungal growth. To further explore the potential of bacteria positively interacting with S. indica, four of the most promising strains belonging to the genus Mycolicibacterium were selected for further experiments. Some dual inoculations of S. indica and Mycolicibacterium strains boosted the beneficial effects triggered by S. indica, further enhancing the growth of tomato plants, and alleviating the symptoms caused by the phytopathogens F. oxysporum and R. solani. However, some combinations of S. indica and bacteria were less effective than individual inoculations. By analyzing the genomes of the Mycolicibacterium strains, we revealed that these bacteria encode several genes predicted to be involved in the stimulation of S. indica growth, plant development and tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses. Particularly, a high number of genes related to vitamin and nitrogen metabolism were detected. Taking into consideration multiple interactions on and inside plants, we showed in this study that some bacterial strains may induce beneficial effects on S. indica and could have an outstanding influence on the plant-fungus symbiosis.

The main selective force driving floral evolution and diversity is plant–pollinator interactions. Pollinators use floral signals and indirect cues to assess flower reward, and the ensuing flower choice has major implications for plant fitness. While many pollinator behaviors have been described, the impact of parasites on pollinator foraging decisions and plant–pollinator interactions have been largely overlooked. Growing evidence of the transmission of parasites through the shared‐use of flowers by pollinators demonstrate the importance of behavioral immunity (altered behaviors that enhance parasite resistance) to pollinator health. During foraging bouts, pollinators can protect themselves against parasites through self‐medication, disease avoidance, and grooming. Recent studies have documented immune behaviors in foraging pollinators, as well as the impacts of such behaviors on flower visitation. Because pollinator parasites can affect flower choice and pollen dispersal, they may ultimately impact flower fitness. Here, we discuss how pollinator immune behaviors and floral traits may affect the presence and transmission of pollinator parasites, as well as how pollinator parasites, through these immune behaviors, can impact plant–pollinator interactions. We further discuss how pollinator immune behaviors can impact plant fitness, and how floral traits may adapt to optimize plant fitness in response to pollinator parasites. We propose future research directions to assess the role of pollinator parasites in plant–pollinator interactions and evolution, and we propose better integration of the role of pollinator parasites into research related to pollinator optimal foraging theory, floral diversity and agricultural practices.

Mutualistic root associations with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are known to alter interactions with insects aboveground. In this study, we investigated whether root symbiosis with Rhizophagus irregularis modulates alterations in Medicago truncatula that affect pea aphid’s (Acyrthosiphon pisum) fitness. The results indicate that aphid colony weight increased after feeding on shoots of high R. irregularis-colonized plants relative to non-mycorrhizal controls. Moreover, when given a choice, aphid adults preferred high R. irregularis-colonized plants compared to non-mycorrhizal plants. Interestingly, we identified genes strongly regulated by aphid feeding in shoots (β-1,3 glucanase, thaumatin-like protein, ethylene response factor (ERF) 1, gibberellin (GA) 20-oxidase, and GA 2-oxidase), by AM symbiosis in roots (oxo-phytodienoic acid reductase, ERF1, and GA 20-oxidase), and a gene (GA 2-oxidase) exclusively induced in roots during this tripartite interaction. Our data provide novel information about changes in plant gene expression during aphid-plant-AM fungus interactions, and serve as foundation for future transcriptome studies.

International audience; In Europe, the most widely used Christmas tree species, Abies nordmanniana, has a long history of infestation with the adelgid Dreyfusia nordmannianae. Since 2011, the species has furthermore been increasingly damaged by the fungus Neonectria neomacrospora. The objective was to study whether infestations by N. neomacrospora were facilitated by the presence of adelgids in Nordmann fir and to explore the genetic components of this potential interplay. The damage caused by D. nordmannianae and N. neomacrospora in two Nordmann fir clonal seed orchards in Denmark was evaluated in 2014, and an experimental infestation was conducted to test the performance of Nordmann fir somatic embryogenesis-derived trees exposed to N. neomacrospora and D. nordmannianae individually or in combination by setting up an artificial infestation chamber. The genetic correlation between the two diseases was 0.54 at two clonal seed orchards, indicating that the trees susceptible to N. neomacrospora were also susceptible to D. nordmannianae or vice versa. In the experimental test, only trees in the treatment with both D. nordmannianae and N. neomacrospora developed needle loss and dieback symptoms. Thus, both the field evaluations and the experimental test revealed an interplay between D. nordmannianae and N. neomacrospora damage on Nordmann fir trees. Future studies should explore in more detail how D. nordmannianae interacts with N. neomacrospora. Our findings and future studies on this topic could have important implications for suitable breeding programs for Nordmann fir Christmas trees and forest pest management.

Background: Tsetse flies are vectors of human and animal African trypanosomiasis. In spite of many decades of chemotherapy and vector control, the disease has not been eradicated. Other methods like the transformation of tsetse fly symbionts to render the fly refractory to trypanosome infection are being evaluated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between trypanosome infections and the presence of symbionts in these tsetse species. Tsetse flies were trapped in two villages of the "Faro and Deo" Division of the Adamawa region of Cameroon. In the field, tsetse fly species were identified and their infection by trypanosomes was checked by microscopy. In the laboratory, DNA was extracted from their midguts and the presence of symbionts (Sodalis glossinidius and Wolbachia sp.) and trypanosomes was checked by PCR. Symbionts/trypanosomes association tests were performed. Results: Three tsetse fly species including Glossina tachinoides (90.1%), Glossina morsitans submorsitans (9.4%) and Glossina fuscipes fuscipes (0.5%) were caught. In all the population we obtained an occurrence rate of 37.2% for Sodalis glossinidius and 67.6% for Wolbachia irrespective to tsetse flies species. S. glossinidius and Wolbachia sp. occurrence rates were respectively 37 and 68% for G. tachinoides and 28.6 and 59.5% for G. m. submorsitans. Between Golde Bourle and Mayo Dagoum significant differences were observed in the prevalence of symbionts. Prevalence of trypanosomes were 34.8% for Glossina tachinoides and 40.5% for Glossina morsitans submorsitans. In G. tachinoides, the trypanosome infection rates were 11, 2.6 and 13.7%, respectively, for T. brucei s.l., T. congolense forest type and T. congolense savannah type. In G. m. submorsitans, these infection rates were 16.7, 9.5 and, 2.4% respectively, for T. brucei s.l., T. congolense forest type and T. congolense savannah type. Conclusions: The rate of tsetse fly infection by trypanosomes was low compared to those obtained in HAT foci of south Cameroon, and this rate was not statistically linked to the rate of symbiont occurrence. This study allowed to show for the first time the presence of Wolbachia sp. in the tsetse fly sub-species Glossina morsitans submorsitans and Glossina tachinoides.

International audience; Although insect herbivores and fungal pathogens frequently share the same individual host plant, we lack general insights in how fungal infection affects insect preference and performance. We addressed this question in a meta-analysis of 1,113 case studies gathered from 101 primary papers that compared preference or performance of insect herbivores on control vs. fungus challenged plants. Generally, insects preferred, and performed better on, not challenged plants, regardless of experimental conditions. Insect response to fungus infection significantly differed according to fungus lifestyle, insect feeding guild and the spatial scale of the interaction (local/distant). Insect performance was reduced on plants challenged by biotrophic pathogens or endophytes but not by necrotrophic pathogens. For both chewing and piercing-sucking insects, performance was reduced on challenged plants when interactions occurred locally but not distantly. In plants challenged by biotrophic pathogens, both preference and performance of herbivores were negatively impacted, whereas infection by necrotrophic pathogens reduced herbivore preference more than performance and endophyte infection reduced only herbivore performance. Our study demonstrates that fungi are may be important but hitherto overlooked drivers of plant-herbivore interactions, suggesting both direct and plant-mediated effects of fungi on insect's behavior and development.

Soilborne fungal and oomycete pathogens are the causal agents of several important plant diseases. Infection frequently co-occurs with herbivory by root-feeding insects, facilitating tripartite interactions that modify plant performance and mortality. In an agricultural context, interactions between pathogens, herbivores, and plants can have important consequences for yield protection. However, belowground interactions are inherently difficult to observe and are often overlooked. Here, we review the impact of direct and indirect interactions between root-associated insects, fungi, and oomycetes on the development of plant disease. We explore the relationship between insect feeding injury and pathogen infection, as well as the role of insects as vectors of fungal and oomycete pathogens. Synergistic interactions between insects and phytopathogens may be important in weed suppression, and we highlight several promising candidates for biocontrol. Bridging the gap between entomological and pathological research is a critical step in understanding how interactions between insects and microorganisms modify the community structure of the rhizosphere, and how this impacts plant functioning. Furthermore, the identification of belowground interactions is required to develop effective pest monitoring and management strategies.

Interactions between ecological communities of herbivores and microbes are commonly mediated by a shared plant. A tripartite interaction between a pathogenic fungus-host plant-herbivorous insect is an example of such mutual influences. In such a system a fungal pathogen commonly has a negative influence on the morphology and biochemistry of the host plant, with consequences for insect herbivore performance. Here we studied whether the biotrophic fungus Podosphaera ferruginea, attacking the great burnet Sanguisorba officinalis, affects caterpillar performance of the endangered scarce large blue butterfly Phengaris teleius. Our results showed that the pathogenic fungus affected the number and size of inflorescences produced by food-plants and, more importantly, had indirect, plant-mediated effects on the abundance, body mass and immune response of caterpillars. Specifically, we found the relationship between caterpillar abundance and variability in inflorescence size on a plant to be positive among healthy food-plants, and negative among infected food-plants. Caterpillars that fed on healthy food-plants were smaller than those that fed on infected food-plants in one studied season, while there was no such difference in the other season. We observed the relationship between caterpillar immune response and the proportion of infected great burnets within a habitat patch to be positive when caterpillars fed on healthy food-plants, and negative when caterpillars fed on infected food-plants. Our results suggest that this biotrophic fungal infection of the great burnet may impose a significant indirect influence on P. teleius caterpillar performance with potential consequences for the population dynamics and structure of this endangered butterfly.

Many host-plants exhibit genetic variation in resistance to pathogens; however, little is known about the extent to which genetic variation in pathogen resistance influences other members of the host-plant community, especially arthropods at higher trophic levels. We addressed this knowledge gap by using a common garden experiment to examine whether genotypes of Populus trichocarpa varied in resistance to a leaf-blistering pathogen, Taphrina sp., and in the density of web-building spiders, the dominant group of predatory arthropods. In addition, we examined whether variation in spider density was explained by variation in the density and size of leaf blisters caused by Taphrina. We found that P. trichocarpa genotypes exhibited strong differences in their resistance to Taphrina and that P. trichocarpa genotypes that were more susceptible to Taphrina supported more web-building spiders, the dominant group of predatory arthropods. We suspect that this result is caused by blisters increasing the availability of suitable habitat for predators, and not due to variation in herbivores because including herbivore density as a covariate did not affect our models. Our study highlights a novel pathway by which genetic variation in pathogen resistance may affect higher trophic levels in arthropod communities. Fil: Slinn, Heather. University of Nevada; Estados Unidos Fil: Barbour, Matthew A.. University of British Columbia; Canadá Fil: Crawford, Kerri. University Of Houston; Estados Unidos Fil: Rodriguez Cabal, Mariano Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina Fil: Crutsinger, Gregory M.. Parrot Inc; Estados Unidos

Plants engage in complex multipartite interactions with mutualists and antagonists, but these interactions are rarely included in studies that explore plant invasiveness. When considered in isolation, we know that beneficial microbes can enhance an exotic plant’s invasive ability and that herbivorous insects often decrease an exotic plant’s likeliness of success. However, the effect of these partners on plant fitness has not been well characterized when all three species coevolve. We use computational evolutionary modeling of a trait-based system to test how microbes and herbivores simultaneously coevolving with an invading plant affect the invaders’ probability of becoming established. Specifically, we designed a model that explores how a beneficial microbe would influence the outcome of an interaction between a plant and herbivore. To model novel interactions, we included a phenotypic trait shared by each species. Making this trait continuous and selectable allows us to explore how trait similarities between coevolving plants, herbivores and microbes affect fitness. Using this model, we answer the following questions: (1) Can a beneficial plant-microbe interaction influence the evolutionary outcome of antagonistic interactions between plants and herbivores? (2) How does the initial trait similarity between interacting organisms affect the likelihood of plant survival in novel locations? (3) Does the effect of tripartite interactions on the invasion success of a plant depend on whether organisms interact through trait similarity [Enemy Release Hypothesis (ERH)] or dissimilarity (Biotic Resistance Hypothesis)? We found that it was much more difficult for plants to invade under the ERH but that beneficial microbes increase the probability of plant survival in a novel range under both hypotheses. To our knowledge, this model is the first to use tripartite interactions to explore novel species introductions. It represents a step towards gaining a better understanding of the factors influencing establishment of exotic species to prevent future invasions. © 2017, The Author(s).

International audience; The unicellular pathogenic protozoan Trypanosoma brucei gambiense is responsible for the chronic form of sleeping sickness. This vector-borne disease is transmitted to humans by the tsetse fly of the group Glossina palpalis, including the subspecies G. p. gambiensis, in which the parasite completes its developmental cycle. Sleeping sickness control strategies can therefore target either the human host or the fly vector. Indeed, suppression of one step in the parasite developmental cycle could abolish parasite transmission to humans, with consequences on the spreading of the disease. In order to develop this type of approach, we have identified, at the proteome level, events resulting from the tripartite interaction between the tsetse fly G. p. gambiensis, its microbiome, and the trypanosome. Proteomes were analyzed from four biological replicates of midguts from flies sampled 3 days post-feeding on either a trypanosome-infected (stimulated flies) or a non-infected (non-stimulated flies) bloodmeal. Over 500 proteins were identified in the midguts of flies from both feeding groups, 13 of which were shown to be differentially expressed in trypanosome-stimulated vs. non-stimulated flies. Functional annotation revealed that several of these proteins have important functions that could be involved in modulating the fly infection process by trypanosomes (and thus fly vector competence), including anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic, cellular detoxifying, trypanosome agglutination, and immune stimulating or depressive effects. The results show a strong potential for diminishing or even disrupting fly vector competence, and their application holds great promise for improving the control of sleeping sickness.

Sodalis glossinidius, one of the three tsetse fly maternally inherited symbionts, was previously shown to favor fly infection by trypanosomes, the parasites causing human sleeping sickness. Among a population of flies taking a trypanosome-infected blood meal, only a few individuals will acquire the parasite; the others will escape infection and be considered as refractory to trypanosome infection. The aim of the work was to investigate whether fly refractoriness could be associated with specific Sodalis gene expression. The transcriptome of S. glossinidius harbored by flies that were fed either with a non-infected blood meal (control) or with a trypanosome-infected meal but that did not develop infection were analyzed, using microarray technology, and compared. The analysis using the microarray procedure yielded 17 genes that were found to have a significant differential expression between the two groups. Interestingly, all these genes were overexpressed in self-cured (refractory) flies. Further analysis of functional annotation of these genes indicated that most associated biological process terms were related to metabolic and biosynthetic processes as well as to oxido-reduction mechanisms. These results evidence the occurrence of molecular crosstalk between the different partners, induced by the passage of the trypanosomes through the fly's gut even though the parasites were unable to establish in the gut and to develop a permanent infection.

Tsetse flies, such as Glossina palpalis gambiensis, are blood-feeding insects that could be subverted as hosts of the parasite Trypanosoma brucei gambiense: initiated in the tsetse fly mid gut, the developmental program of this parasite further proceeds in the salivary glands. The flies act as vectors of this human-invasive parasite when their salivary glands sustain the generation of metacyclic trypomastigotes, the exclusive morphotypes pre-programmed to further develop in the human individuals. Briefly, once the metacyclic trypomastigotes have been deposited in the skin of humans from whom the parasite-hosting tsetse flies are taking their blood meals, the complex developmental program of this Trypanosoma brucei subspecies can result in a severe disease named sleeping sickness. Unveiling the processes that could prevent, in tsetse flies, the developmental program of T. b. gambiense could contribute reducing the prevalence of the disease. Using a global approach, we were curious to extract transcriptional signatures of Sodalis glossinidius, a symbiont hosted by three distinct groups of tsetse flies. To meet this objective, the transcriptome of S. glossinidius from susceptible and refractory tsetse flies was analyzed at 3, 10 and 20 days after flies blood feed on T. b. gambiense-hosting mice. Within this temporal window, 176 trypanosome responsive genes were shown to interact in well-defined patterns making it possible to distinguish flies susceptible to the parasite infection from refractory flies. Among the modulated transcripts in the symbiont population of flies refractory to trypanosome infection many were shown to cluster within the following networks: "lysozyme activity, bacteriolytic enzyme, bacterial cytolysis, cell wall macromolecule catabolic process". These novel data are further delineated in the following questions: could the activation of prophage hosted by S. glossinidius lead to the release of bacterial agonists that trigger the tsetse fly immune system along a profile that no more allows the parasite developmental program? (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Phytophagous insects have to contend with a wide variation in food quality brought about by a variety of factors intrinsic and extrinsic to the plant. One of the most important factors is infection by plant pathogenic fungi. Necrotrophic and biotrophic plant pathogenic fungi may have contrasting effects on insect herbivores due to their different infection mechanisms and induction of different resistance pathways, although this has been little studied and there has been no study of their combined effect. We studied the effect of the biotrophic rust fungus Uromyces viciae-fabae (Pers.) Schroet (Basidiomycota: Uredinales: Pucciniaceae) and the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea Pers. (Ascomycota: Helotiales: Sclerotiniaceae) singly and together on the performance of the aphid Aphis fabae Scop. (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on Vicia faba (L.) (Fabaceae). Alone, botrytis had an inhibitory effect on individual A. fabae development, survival and fecundity, while rust infection consistently enhanced individual aphids’ performance. These effects varied in linear relation to lesion or pustule density. However, whole-plant infection by either pathogen resulted in a smaller aphid population of smaller aphids than on uninfected plants, indicating a lowering of aphid carrying capacity with infection. When both fungi were applied simultaneously to a leaf they generally cancelled the effect of each other out, resulting in most performance parameters being similar to the controls, although fecundity was reduced. However, sequential plant infection (pathogens applied five days apart) led to a 70% decrease in fecundity and 50% reduction in intrinsic rate of increase. The application of rust before botrytis had a greater inhibitory effect on aphids than applying botrytis before rust. Rust infection increased leaf total nitrogen concentration by 30% while infection by botrytis with or without rust led to a 38% decrease. The aphids’ responses to the two plant pathogens individually is consistent with the alteration in plant nutrient content by infection and also the induction of different plant defence pathways and the possible cross-talk between them. This is the first demonstration of the complex effects of the dual infection of a plant by contrasting pathogens on insect herbivores. Key words: Vicia faba, Botrytis cinerea, Uromyces viciae-fabae, tripartite interactions, induced resistance

International audience; Induced defenses mediate interactions between parasites sharing the same host plant, but the outcomes of these interactions are challenging to predict because of spatiotemporal variation in plant responses and differences in defense pathways elicited by herbivores or pathogens. Dissecting these mediating factors necessitates an approach that encompasses a diversity of parasitic feeding styles and tracks interactions over space and time. We tested indirect plant-mediated relationships across three tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) consumers: (1) the fungal pathogen-powdery mildew, Oidium neolycopersici; (2) a sap-feeding insect-silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia tabaci; and (3) a chewing insect-the leaf miner, Tuta absoluta. Further, we evaluated insect/pathogen responses on local vs. systemic leaves and over short (1 day) vs. long (4 days) time scales. Overall, we documented: (1) a bi-directional negative effect between O. neolycopersici and B. tabaci; (2) an asymmetrical negative effect of B. tabaci on T. absoluta; and (3) an asymmetrical positive effect of T. absoluta on O. neolycopersici. Spatiotemporal patterns varied depending on the species pair (e.g., whitefly effects on leaf miner performance were highly localized to the induced leaf, whereas effects on pathogen growth were both local and systemic). These results highlight the context-dependent effects of induced defenses on a diverse community of tomato parasites. Notably, the outcomes correspond to those predicted by phytohormonal theory based on feeding guild differences with key implications for the recent European invasion by T. absoluta.