Identification of Diverse Bacteriophages Associated with Bees and Hoverflies
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-30-2025
Publisher
MDPI
Source Publication
Viruses
Source ISSN
1999-4915
Original Item ID
DOI: 10.3390/v17020201
Abstract
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 Caudoviricetes, Inoviridae, and Microviridae, which are associated with honeybees (Apidae, Apis mellifera), solitary bees of the genus Nomia (Halictidae, Nomia), and hoverflies (Syrphidae). The complete genomes of seven caudoviruses, seven inoviruses, and 288 microviruses were assembled from honeybees (n = 286) and hoverflies in Arizona (n = 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.
Recommended Citation
Bandoo, Rohan A.; Kraberger, Simona; Ozturk, Cahit; Lund, Michael C.; Zhu, Qiyun; Cook, Chelsea N.; Smith, Brian; and Varsani, Arvind, "Identification of Diverse Bacteriophages Associated with Bees and Hoverflies" (2025). Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications. 1004.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/bio_fac/1004
Comments
Viruses, Vol. 17, No. 2 (January 30, 2025). DOI.