Summary: A species of gut bacteria called Lactobacillus apis has been linked to enhanced memory and cognition in bumblebees.
Source: Queen Mary University London
An international research team have discovered a specific type of gut bacteria in bees that can improve memory.
The study, led by scientists from Jiangnan University, China in collaboration with researchers from Queen Mary University of London and the University of Oulu, Finland, have shown that a species of gut bacteria, known as Lactobacillus apis, is linked to enhanced memory in bumblebees.
The researchers show that bumblebees with more of this type of bacteria in their guts have a better memory than individuals with fewer bacteria. Bumblebees that ate food containing more of this species of gut bacteria were also found to have more long-lasting memories than individuals with normal diets.
To test the bees’ memory and learning abilities, the researchers created different coloured artificial flowers; five colours were associated with sweet sucrose solution and the other five with a bitter tasting solution containing quinine, a repellent for bees.
The researchers then observed how quickly the bees were able to learn which colours were associated with a sugar reward, and if they were able to retain this information in a follow-up test three days later.
By sequencing gut samples from the bees, they were then able to compare individual differences in bumblebees learning and memory abilities with the levels of different bacteria found in their gut.
To confirm that the numbers of Lactobacillus apis in the gut were directly responsible for the observed differences in memory, the researchers added these bacteria to the bumblebees’ diet and measured their responses to the same task.
The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, adds to growing evidence that the gut microbiome – the trillions of microbes that live in our intestines – can affect animal behaviour.
Bees’ cognitive abilities vary across individuals and they have a relatively small community of gut microorganisms compared with mammals, making them ideal models to explore the role of specific gut bacteria on differences in cognition between individuals.
The researchers suggest observed variations in the microbiome across individual bumblebees could arise from differences or changes in nest environment, activities, pathogens, social interactions, and pollination environment.
Dr Li Li, Lead author of the study and postdoctoral Researcher at Jiangnan University, said: “Our results suggest not only that the natural variation in the amount of a specific gut bacterium effects memory, but also show a causal link – that by adding the same bacterial species to a bee’s diet can enhance their memories.”
“Further research will be required to determine if and which bacteria species might have the same effect in humans. But our work has shone a bright light on this possibility.”
Professor Lars Chittka from Queen Mary University of London and co-author of the study, said, “This is a fascinating finding that could apply to humans as well as to bees. Our findings add to growing evidence of the importance of gut-brain interactions in animals and provide insights into the cause of cognitive differences in natural bumblebee populations.”
Professor Wei Zhao, corresponding author and Head of the Enzymology lab at Jiangnan University, said: “It’s amazing to find out the specific memory-enhancing bacteria species. The results further validate our belief that we may improve our cognitive ability via the regulation of gut microbiota.”
About this microbiome and memory research news
Author: Sophie McLachlan
Source: Queen Mary University of London
Contact: Sophie McLachlan – Queen Mary University of London
Image: The image is in the public domain
Original Research: Open access.
“Gut microbiome drives individual memory variation in bumblebees” by Li Li, Cwyn Solvi, Feng Zhang, Zhaoyang Qi, Lars Chittka & Wei Zhao. Nature Communications
Abstract
Gut microbiome drives individual memory variation in bumblebees
The potential of the gut microbiome as a driver of individual cognitive differences in natural populations of animals remains unexplored.
Here, using metagenomic sequencing of individual bumblebee hindguts, we find a positive correlation between the abundance of Lactobacillus Firm-5 cluster and memory retention on a visual discrimination task.
Supplementation with the Firm-5 species Lactobacillus apis, but not other non-Firm-5 bacterial species, enhances bees’ memory. Untargeted metabolomics after L. apis supplementation show increased LPA (14:0) glycerophospholipid in the hemolymph.
Oral administration of the LPA increases long-term memory significantly. Based on our findings and metagenomic/metabolomic analyses, we propose a molecular pathway for this gut-brain interaction.
Our results provide insights into proximate and ultimate causes of cognitive differences in natural bumblebee populations.
