标题：Bacterial transfer from Pristionchus entomophagus nematodes to the invasive ant Myrmica rubra and the potential for colony mortality in coastal Maine
摘要：SummaryThe necromenic nematodePristionchus entomophagushas been frequently found in nests of the invasive European antMyrmica rubrain coastal Maine, United States, and may contribute to ant mortality and collapse of colonies by transferring environmental bacteria.Paenibacillusand several other bacterial species were found in the digestive tracts of nematodes harvested from collapsed ant colonies.Serratia marcescens,Serratia nematodiphila, andPseudomonas fluorescenswere collected from the hemolymph of nematode-infected wax moth (Galleria mellonella) larvae. Virulence against waxworms varied by the site of origin of the nematodes. In adult nematodes, bacteria were highly concentrated in the digestive tract with none observed on the cuticle. In contrast, juveniles had more on the cuticle than in the digestive tract. Host species was the primary factor affecting bacterial community profiles, butSpiroplasmasp. andSerratia marcescenssequences were shared across ants, nematodes, and nematode-exposedG. mellonellalarvae.Graphical abstractDisplay OmittedHighlights•SerratiaandPseudomonasisolated from nematodes emerged fromM. rubraant cadavers•Nematodes acquired a strain ofPseudomonasfrom the environment•Strains were shared in bacterial communities of field-collected ants and nematodes•Exposure to nematodes transferred bacteria toG. mellonellalarvaeEntomology; Microbiology; Microbiome
