Identification of Diverse Bacteriophages Associated with Bees and Hoverflies

Bacteriophages are the most numerous, ubiquitous, and diverse biological entities on the planet. Prior studies have identified bacteriophages associated with pathogenic and commensal microbiota of honeybees. In this study we expand on what is known about bacteriophages from the lineages <i>Cau...

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Main Authors: Rohan A. Bandoo, Simona Kraberger, Cahit Ozturk, Michael C. Lund, Qiyun Zhu, Chelsea Cook, Brian Smith, Arvind Varsani
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Viruses
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/2/201
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Summary:Bacteriophages are the most numerous, ubiquitous, and diverse biological entities on the planet. Prior studies have identified bacteriophages associated with pathogenic and commensal microbiota of honeybees. In this study we expand on what is known about bacteriophages from the lineages <i>Caudoviricetes</i>, <i>Inoviridae</i>, and <i>Microviridae</i>, which are associated with honeybees (Apidae, <i>Apis mellifera</i>), solitary bees of the genus <i>Nomia</i> (Halictidae, <i>Nomia</i>), and hoverflies (Syrphidae). The complete genomes of seven caudoviruses, seven inoviruses, and 288 microviruses were assembled from honeybees (<i>n</i> = 286) and hoverflies in Arizona (<i>n</i> = 2). We used bacterial host predictive software and sequence read mapping programs to infer the commensal and transient bacterial hosts of pollinating insects. Lastly, this study explores the phylogenetic relationships of microviruses sampled from bees, opportunistically sampled pollinating insects such as hoverflies, and blackflies.
ISSN:1999-4915