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Gut microbiome drives individual memory variation in bumblebees

Author

Listed:
  • Li Li

    (Jiangnan University)

  • Cwyn Solvi

    (University of Oulu
    Queen Mary University of London)

  • Feng Zhang

    (Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University)

  • Zhaoyang Qi

    (Jiangnan University)

  • Lars Chittka

    (Queen Mary University of London)

  • Wei Zhao

    (Jiangnan University)

Abstract

The potential of the gut microbiome as a driver of individual cognitive differences in natural populations of animals remains unexplored. Here, using metagenomic sequencing of individual bumblebee hindguts, we find a positive correlation between the abundance of Lactobacillus Firm-5 cluster and memory retention on a visual discrimination task. Supplementation with the Firm-5 species Lactobacillus apis, but not other non-Firm-5 bacterial species, enhances bees’ memory. Untargeted metabolomics after L. apis supplementation show increased LPA (14:0) glycerophospholipid in the haemolymph. Oral administration of the LPA increases long-term memory significantly. Based on our findings and metagenomic/metabolomic analyses, we propose a molecular pathway for this gut-brain interaction. Our results provide insights into proximate and ultimate causes of cognitive differences in natural bumblebee populations.

Suggested Citation

  • Li Li & Cwyn Solvi & Feng Zhang & Zhaoyang Qi & Lars Chittka & Wei Zhao, 2021. "Gut microbiome drives individual memory variation in bumblebees," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-26833-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26833-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Candy Rowe & Susan D. Healy, 2014. "Measuring variation in cognition," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 25(6), pages 1287-1292.
    2. Christopher E. Lawson & Sha Wu & Ananda S. Bhattacharjee & Joshua J. Hamilton & Katherine D. McMahon & Ramesh Goel & Daniel R. Noguera, 2017. "Metabolic network analysis reveals microbial community interactions in anammox granules," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-12, August.
    3. R. Croston & C.L. Branch & D.Y. Kozlovsky & R. Dukas & V.V. Pravosudov, 2015. "Heritability and the evolution of cognitive traits," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 26(6), pages 1447-1459.
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    Cited by:

    1. Zijing Zhang & Xiaohuan Mu & Qina Cao & Yao Shi & Xiaosong Hu & Hao Zheng, 2022. "Honeybee gut Lactobacillus modulates host learning and memory behaviors via regulating tryptophan metabolism," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-13, December.

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