Association between fungi and Amazonian stingless bees: A model of defensive symbiosis?

• Grant number: 25/01271-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2029
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Lívia Soman de Medeiros
• Grantee: Jullio Kennedy Castro Soares
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas (ICAQF). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Diadema. Diadema , SP, Brazil

Abstract

One of the costs associated with eusociality in insects refers to the greater risk of exposure to entomopathogenic microorganisms. Stingless bees (Hymenoptera: Meliponini) are included in this situation, and may have evolved several defense mechanisms to prevent colony disease, such as the association with fungal species that produce antimicrobial agents. Thus, the objective of this study is to investigate the chemodiversity of filamentous fungi associated with stingless bees (of the genus Melipona) endemic to the Amazon region, focusing on natural products that may be involved in mediating the natural protection system in this model of pollinators that are still little explored. To this end, chemical and biological aspects related to the mycobiota present in the selected colonies will be evaluated, such as the tendency of associated species (phylogenetic analyses and Metabarcoding), in vitro antimicrobial and biological antagonism assays against bee entomopathogens, metabolomic analyses and in vivo experiments in cages with bees, to understand how metabolites potentially involved in the symbiotic relationships between fungus and stingless bees can influence the immunity and health of these insects. Thus, this work aims to provide tools for a better understanding of the interaction between stingless bees and microorganisms that are not harmful to the meliponical environment. The elucidation of the interactions between pollinators and their mycobiota is promising for providing information that may assist in strategic studies for the preservation of bees against the threats of their population decline, including the discovery of molecules that can promote their immunity and the development of natural biocontrol agents against bee entomopathogens.