Long-term prevalence of the protists Crithidia bombi and Apicystis bombi and detection of the microsporidium Nosema bombi in invasive bumble bees.

HARAMBOURE, MARINA; ANTÚNEZ, KARINA; LANGE, CARLOS E.; PLISCHUK, SANTIAGO; MINARDI, GRACIELA M.

ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2017

1462-2912

An initial campaign survey in 2009 carried out at a site in northwestern Patagonia region, Argentina, revealed for first time in South America the presence of the flagellate Crithidia bombi and the neogregarine Apicystis bombi, two pathogens associated with the Palaearctic invasive bumble bee Bombus terrestris. In order to determine the long-term persistence and dynamics of this microparasite complex, four additional campaigns collections at the same site (San Carlos de Bariloche) were conducted along the following seven years. Both protists were detected again in all collectionscampaigns:, and their prevalence wasranged between 2% -and 21.6% for( C. bombi) and between 1.2% -and 14% for( A. bombi). In addition, the presence of the microsporidium Nosema bombi was recorded for first time in the country in the last two campaignscollections, atshowing prevalence values of 12.4% and 2.4% and unusually high infection intensities (Average = 6.56 x 107 spores per individual). Due to the exceptional dispersal ability of the exotic B. terrestris, these three multihost pathogens should be considered as potential threats to South American native bumble bees.