Lagriid beetle bacterial community. beetle metagenome

Lagriid beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae, Lagriinae) carry symbiotic bacteria in specialized structures, which are transmitted vertically (from mother to offspring) and horizontally (acquired form the environment). This study aims to (1) molecularly characterize the bacterial symbionts in different lagriid host species and (2) assess the impact of laboratory vs. field conditions in the composition of the microbial community.