Genetic variation of Ascosphaera apis and colony attributes do not explain chalkbrood disease outbreaks in Australian honey bees

Jody R Gerdts; John M K Roberts; Michael Simone-Finstrom; Steven M Ogbourne; Joseph Tucci

doi:10.1016/j.jip.2021.107540

Genetic variation of Ascosphaera apis and colony attributes do not explain chalkbrood disease outbreaks in Australian honey bees

J Invertebr Pathol. 2021 Mar:180:107540. doi: 10.1016/j.jip.2021.107540. Epub 2021 Jan 29.

Authors

Jody R Gerdts¹, John M K Roberts², Michael Simone-Finstrom³, Steven M Ogbourne⁴, Joseph Tucci⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, La Trobe Institute of Molecular Science, La Trobe University, PO Box 199, Bendigo, Victoria 3552, Australia. Electronic address: beescientifics@gmail.com.
² Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Clunes Ross Street, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia. Electronic address: john.roberts@csiro.au.
³ Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics, and Physiology Laboratory, 1157 Ben Hur Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70820, United States. Electronic address: Michael.SimoneFinstrom@usda.gov.
⁴ GeneCology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Maroochydore 4556, Queensland, Australia; School of Science Engineering & Technology, University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Maroochydore 4556, Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: sogbourn@usc.edu.au.
⁵ Department of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, La Trobe Institute of Molecular Science, La Trobe University, PO Box 199, Bendigo, Victoria 3552, Australia. Electronic address: J.Tucci@latrobe.edu.au.

PMID: 33516722
DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2021.107540

Abstract

Chalkbrood infection caused by the fungus Ascosphaera apis currently has a significant impact on Australia's apicultural industry. We investigated the genetic variation of A. apis and colony and apiary level conditions to determine if an emerging, more virulent strain or specific conditions were responsible for the prevalence of the disease. We identified six genetically distinct strains of A. apis, four have been reported elsewhere and two are unique to Australia. Colonies and individual larvae were found to be infected with multiple strains of A. apis, neither individual strains, combinations of strains, or obvious colony or apiary characteristics were found to be predictive of hive infection levels. These results suggest that host genotype plays an important role in colony level resistance to chalkbrood infection in Australia.

Keywords: Apis cerana chalkbrood; Apis mellifera; Ascosphaera apis; Chalkbrood; Genetic variation.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Australia
Beekeeping
Bees / growth & development
Bees / microbiology*
Genetic Variation*
Larva / growth & development
Larva / microbiology
Onygenales / genetics*

Supplementary concepts

Ascosphaera apis