Phoretic mites on South American bumblebees (Bombus spp.) as parasite carriers: a historical input

Abstract

Phoretic mites associated with bumblebees are considered commensals that represent little or no risk for their hosts. The aim of the present study was to assess the potential role of the phoretic mites Pneumolaelaps longanalis and Parasitellus fucorum, as carriers of parasites that are known to affect bees. Mites were extracted from bumblebees dating between 1945 and 1981 which belong to museum collections, and from a freshly collected queen. The DNA was extracted and amplified, and the final products were sequenced and analyzed. Parasite’s DNA was found in all samples. Ascosphaera spp., Crithidia bombi, Lotmaria passim, and Nosema ceranae were present in both mite species. Moreover, DNA from Apis mellifera filamentous virus (AmFV), Apicystis bombi, Ascosphaera apis, Nosema apis, and Nosema bombi was found in P. longanalis. This study represents the oldest report of parasite’s DNA in bumblebee phoretic mites, highlighting the relevance of museum samples for historical studies in parasitology.