RESUMEN
Apis cerana cerana exhibits a prominent biological trait known as comb gnawing. In this study, gnawed combs from colonies during different seasons were collected, investigating the comb age and locations of gnawing. Patterns of comb gnawing were recorded, and the effects of 2 factors, namely, comb type and season, on the mass of wax residues and the gnawed surface area were measured. The results revealed that A. c. cerana predominantly gnaws combs that have been used for over 6 months, with gnawing concentrated in the brood-rearing area. In the first 3 seasons, significantly higher masses of wax residues and larger gnawed surface areas were found in greater wax moth larvae (GWML)-infested combs compared to newly built and old combs. Also, there were significantly higher masses and areas gnawed by A. c. cerana in old combs compared to newly built combs in all 4 seasons. Compared to other seasons, it exhibited significantly higher masses and areas resulting from comb-gnawing in newly built or old combs in winter. However, there were no significant differences in the masses of wax residues and surface areas gnawed in GWML-infested combs across the first 3 seasons. In conclusion, this study documented the impact of comb type and season on the comb-gnawing behavior of A. c. cerana, contributing to beekeeping management practices and the current understanding of bee biology.
Asunto(s)
Himenópteros , Abejas , Animales , Larva , Ceras , Apicultura , Estaciones del AñoRESUMEN
Three bacterial species isolated from whole body extracts of the greater wax moth larvae, Galleria mellonella, were evaluated for their ability to utilize low-density polyethylene (LDPE) as a sole carbon source in vitro. These bacteria were identified as Lysinibacillus fusiformis, Bacillus aryabhattai, and Microbacterium oxydans. Their ability to biodegrade LDPE was assessed by growth curves, cell biomass production, polyethylene (PE) weight loss, and the presence of LDPE hydrolysis products in the growth media. Consortia of these bacteria with three other bacteria previously shown to degrade LDPE (Cupriavidus necator H16, Pseudomonas putida LS46, and Pseudomonas putida IRN22) were also tested. Growth curves of the bacteria utilizing LDPE as a sole carbon source revealed a peak in cell density after 24 h. Cell densities declined by 48 h but slowly increased again to different extents, depending on the bacteria. Incubation of LDPE with bacteria isolated from greater wax moth larvae had significant effects on bacterial cell mass production and weight loss of LDPE in PE-containing media. The bacterial consortia were better able to degrade LDPE than were the individual species alone. Gas chromatographic analyses revealed the presence of linear alkanes and other unknown putative LDPE hydrolysis products in some of bacterial culture media.
Asunto(s)
Bacterias/metabolismo , Consorcios Microbianos , Mariposas Nocturnas/microbiología , Polietileno/metabolismo , Animales , Bacterias/clasificación , Bacterias/crecimiento & desarrollo , Bacterias/aislamiento & purificación , Biodegradación Ambiental , Hidrólisis , Larva/microbiologíaRESUMEN
The high mortality rates and economic burden associated with fungal infections, plus the emergence of fungal strains resistant to antifungal drugs, make it necessary to get a deeper understanding of fungal pathogenesis, as well as to identify new target structures for antifungal drug development. Still, murine models are considered as the gold standard for studying pathogenesis, quantifying virulence, and analysing the efficacy of antifungal drugs. However, invertebrates, such as the larvae of the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella, are promising alternative hosts to address some of these questions, especially when a large number of fungal strains need to be evaluated. The purpose of this review is to summarize the benefits and drawbacks, explain the utilization of the invertebrate model host G. mellonella, and compare the virulence potential of the most important human fungal pathogens, with the focus on different virulence potential of closely related species.