attine ant Atta texana Targeted Locus (Loci). insect metagenome

Vertical transmission of microbial symbionts occurs in the life-cycle of many host species, including several insects. Here, to elucidate if bacterial microbiomes can be vertically-transmitted the attine ant Atta texana through co-propagation with cultivated fungus, we surveyed bacterial microbiomes in the vertically-transmitted fungal inocula (pellets) used by foundress queens as starter-cultures for new gardens. Also, we surveyed bacteria of foundress queens, gardens and broods of incipient nests maintained in the laboratory. Overall, the microbiome of 96 different samples, including head (n=11), thorax (n=11), abdomen (n=11), pellets (n=53), gardens (n=5) and brood (n=5), were assessed through Illumina sequencing of 16S rRNA. We mainly discuss: (i) the presence of a shared-core microbiome between samples, indicating potential vertical transmission; and (ii) the high abundance of Mesoplasma over many tissues of Atta texana, confirming these bacteria as symbionts of attine ant.