Changes in the bioelement content of summer and winter westernhoneybees (Apis mellifera) induced by Nosemaceranae infection

摘要

Proper bioelement content is crucial for the health and wellness of all organisms, including honeybees. However, the situation is more complicated in these important pollinators due to the fact that they change their physiology during winter in order to survive the relatively harsh climatic conditions. Additionally, honeybees are susceptible to many diseases such as nosemosis, which during winter can depopulate an entire colony. Here we show that summer bees have a markedly higher content of important bioelements such as: Al, Cu, P, V, (physiologically essential); Ca, K, Mg, (electrolytic); Cr, Se, Zn, (enzymatic); As, Hg, (toxic). In contrast, a markedly higher content of: Fe (physiologically essential); Mn, Ni, (enzymatic); Cd (exclusively toxic) were present in winter bees. Importantly, N. ceranae infection resulted in an increased honeybee bioelement content of: S, Sr (physiologically essential) and Pb (exclusively toxic), whereas the Nosema-free worker-bees had higher amounts of B and Si (physiologically essential). We propose that the shortages of Fe, Mn, Ni, and Na observed in Nosema-infected bees, could be the reason for the higher mortality ofNosema-infected bees throughout overwintering. In addition, ashortage of bioelements such as B and Si may be a reason for accelerated agingin foragers that is observed following N.ceranae infection. Therefore, in winter, bioelement contentwas more strongly affected by N. ceranaeinfection than during summer. We found a strong correlation between thebioelement content of bees and seasons (summer or winter) and also withNosema infection. We conclude that the balance ofbioelements in the honeybee is altered by both seasonal affects and byNosema infection.