The trypanosomatid (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) parasites in bees: A review on their environmental circulation, impacts and implications
Trypanosomatids, obligate parasites capable of impacting insects' hindgut, have recently obtained considerable attention, especially about their effects on bees. While Crithidia mellificae and C. bombi were initially discovered and studied in honey bees and bumblebees, respectively, molecular t...
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Elsevier
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Current Research in Insect Science |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666515825000010 |
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| author | Rossella Tiritelli Giovanni Cilia Tamara Gómez-Moracho |
| author_facet | Rossella Tiritelli Giovanni Cilia Tamara Gómez-Moracho |
| author_sort | Rossella Tiritelli |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Trypanosomatids, obligate parasites capable of impacting insects' hindgut, have recently obtained considerable attention, especially about their effects on bees. While Crithidia mellificae and C. bombi were initially discovered and studied in honey bees and bumblebees, respectively, molecular techniques revealed Lotmaria passim as the predominant trypanosomatid in honey bees globally. New species like C. expoeki and C. acanthocephali have also been identified. These parasites have complex life cycles involving various host developmental stages and are transmitted horizontally within and outside colonies through direct contact, oral interactions, and contaminating flowers with infected faeces. The impact of trypanosomatids on honey bee colony health remains uncertain. In bumblebees, studies highlighted the widespread presence of C. bombi, affecting colony and individual fitness, development, and foraging behaviour. Bee trypanosomatids have been detected in various species, including other insects, and mammals, suggesting diverse epidemiological pathways and potential effects that warrant further investigation. Biotic factors, including co-infections, gut microbiota, food contamination, and abiotic factors like environmental conditions, pesticides, and urbanization, play crucial roles in infection dynamics. This review aimed to summarise key research on trypanosomatid transmission and infection in both managed and wild bees, focusing on the influence of biotic and abiotic factors. The work highlights significant gaps in current knowledge and provides a valuable foundation for future studies. Understanding the pathogenicity and infection dynamics of trypanosomatids, along with the impact of environmental factors, is essential for developing effective conservation strategies that support pollinator health and overall ecosystem resilience. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-010e28fdb05e4291835761f310a9389f |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2666-5158 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
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| series | Current Research in Insect Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-010e28fdb05e4291835761f310a9389f2025-01-26T05:05:06ZengElsevierCurrent Research in Insect Science2666-51582025-01-017100106The trypanosomatid (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) parasites in bees: A review on their environmental circulation, impacts and implicationsRossella Tiritelli0Giovanni Cilia1Tamara Gómez-Moracho2Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment (CREA-AA), Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economics Analysis, Bologna, ItalyResearch Centre for Agriculture and Environment (CREA-AA), Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economics Analysis, Bologna, Italy; Corresponding author.Department of Parasitology, Biochemical and Molecular Parasitology Group CTS-183, University of Granada, Granada, Spain; Institute of Biotechnology, University of Granada, Granada, SpainTrypanosomatids, obligate parasites capable of impacting insects' hindgut, have recently obtained considerable attention, especially about their effects on bees. While Crithidia mellificae and C. bombi were initially discovered and studied in honey bees and bumblebees, respectively, molecular techniques revealed Lotmaria passim as the predominant trypanosomatid in honey bees globally. New species like C. expoeki and C. acanthocephali have also been identified. These parasites have complex life cycles involving various host developmental stages and are transmitted horizontally within and outside colonies through direct contact, oral interactions, and contaminating flowers with infected faeces. The impact of trypanosomatids on honey bee colony health remains uncertain. In bumblebees, studies highlighted the widespread presence of C. bombi, affecting colony and individual fitness, development, and foraging behaviour. Bee trypanosomatids have been detected in various species, including other insects, and mammals, suggesting diverse epidemiological pathways and potential effects that warrant further investigation. Biotic factors, including co-infections, gut microbiota, food contamination, and abiotic factors like environmental conditions, pesticides, and urbanization, play crucial roles in infection dynamics. This review aimed to summarise key research on trypanosomatid transmission and infection in both managed and wild bees, focusing on the influence of biotic and abiotic factors. The work highlights significant gaps in current knowledge and provides a valuable foundation for future studies. Understanding the pathogenicity and infection dynamics of trypanosomatids, along with the impact of environmental factors, is essential for developing effective conservation strategies that support pollinator health and overall ecosystem resilience.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666515825000010Lotmaria passimCrithidia bombiCrithidia mellificaeMolecular epidemiologyInterspecific transmissionPathology |
| spellingShingle | Rossella Tiritelli Giovanni Cilia Tamara Gómez-Moracho The trypanosomatid (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) parasites in bees: A review on their environmental circulation, impacts and implications Current Research in Insect Science Lotmaria passim Crithidia bombi Crithidia mellificae Molecular epidemiology Interspecific transmission Pathology |
| title | The trypanosomatid (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) parasites in bees: A review on their environmental circulation, impacts and implications |
| title_full | The trypanosomatid (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) parasites in bees: A review on their environmental circulation, impacts and implications |
| title_fullStr | The trypanosomatid (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) parasites in bees: A review on their environmental circulation, impacts and implications |
| title_full_unstemmed | The trypanosomatid (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) parasites in bees: A review on their environmental circulation, impacts and implications |
| title_short | The trypanosomatid (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) parasites in bees: A review on their environmental circulation, impacts and implications |
| title_sort | trypanosomatid kinetoplastida trypanosomatidae parasites in bees a review on their environmental circulation impacts and implications |
| topic | Lotmaria passim Crithidia bombi Crithidia mellificae Molecular epidemiology Interspecific transmission Pathology |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666515825000010 |
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