The gut microbiota of insects - diversity in structure and function.

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_7F3CA896D65A
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Publication sub-type
Review (review): journal as complete as possible of one specific subject, written based on exhaustive analyses from published work.
Collection
Publications
Title
The gut microbiota of insects - diversity in structure and function.
Journal
FEMS Microbiology Reviews
Author(s)
Engel P., Moran N.A.
ISSN
1574-6976 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
0168-6445
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2013
Volume
37
Number
5
Pages
699-735
Language
english
Abstract
Insect guts present distinctive environments for microbial colonization, and bacteria in the gut potentially provide many beneficial services to their hosts. Insects display a wide range in degree of dependence on gut bacteria for basic functions. Most insect guts contain relatively few microbial species as compared to mammalian guts, but some insects harbor large gut communities of specialized bacteria. Others are colonized only opportunistically and sparsely by bacteria common in other environments. Insect digestive tracts vary extensively in morphology and physicochemical properties, factors that greatly influence microbial community structure. One obstacle to the evolution of intimate associations with gut microorganisms is the lack of dependable transmission routes between host individuals. Here, social insects, such as termites, ants, and bees, are exceptions: social interactions provide opportunities for transfer of gut bacteria, and some of the most distinctive and consistent gut communities, with specialized beneficial functions in nutrition and protection, have been found in social insect species. Still, gut bacteria of other insects have also been shown to contribute to nutrition, protection from parasites and pathogens, modulation of immune responses, and communication. The extent of these roles is still unclear and awaits further studies.
Keywords
bacterial diversity, digestive system, gut communities, immune system, symbiosis, mutualism
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
16/01/2014 16:48
Last modification date
20/08/2019 14:40
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