Further evidences of an emerging stingless bee-yeast symbiosis

Symbiotic interactions between microorganisms and social insects have been described as crucial for the maintenance of these multitrophic systems, observed stingless bee Scaptotrigona depilis yeast Zygosaccharomyces sp. SDBC30G1. The larvae S. ingest fungal filaments SDBC30G1 to obtain ergosterol, which is precursor biosynthesis ecdysteroids that modulate insect metamorphosis. In this work, we find a similar insect-microbe interaction in other species bees. We analyzed brood cell samples from 19 bees collected Brazil. osmophilic spp. was isolated eight species, namely bipunctata , postica tubiba Tetragona clavipes Melipona quadrifasciata M. fasciculata bicolor Partamona helleri . These yeasts form pseudohyphae also accumulate ergosterol lipid droplets, pattern phylogenetic analyses including various revealed strains cells formed branch separated previously suggesting they are new genus reinforcing symbiotic with host insects.