About this Research Topic
In the last three decades, it has become increasingly clear that microorganisms are an important force in the evolution, success, and ecology of arthropods. Microorganisms and bacteria, in particular, have been shown to be driving diverse evolutionary processes of their arthropod hosts, including shaping patterns of the host’s genetic variation, diversification, sexual selection, foraging behavior, immune responses, and adaptation to new niches. Many arthropod species rely on the metabolic activity of their microbiota for development and survival. Additionally, the metabolic activity of the microbiota and microbiome for several insect species has been shown to exert influences on their ecosystems.
Microorganisms contribute to the chemical ecology of insects. Volatile organic compounds released by microorganisms inhabiting plants have been shown to affect the interactions between plants and sap-feeding insects, emphasizing that insect-microbe associations should not be limited to the insect body, but rather include the microbiota of organisms closely associated with insects. These discoveries have also led to important applied aspects in insect pest management. Despite an appreciable body of evidence that insect-microbe associations have contributed to the success of insects, continued basic and applied research are needed to understand further the importance of such associations to better support ecological balance.
In this Research Topic, we provide a conspectus that explores a variety of physiological, ecological, and evolutionary aspects of arthropod-microbe interactions, with an aim to expand the body of literature, and reach a variety of audiences. Therefore, we welcome both senior and young scientists to submit research, review, or perspective manuscripts on the following subtopics:
• Arthropods microbiome
• Co-evolution of insect-host dependence
• Ecology of host-arthropod-microorganisms interactions (the effects of host microbiota on arthropod microbiomes and vice versa)
• Arthropods microbiota contributions to environmental threat resistance
• Microorganisms as resources for novel pest control strategies
• The potential of arthropod microbiomes as model systems
Microorganisms contribute to the chemical ecology of insects. Volatile organic compounds released by microorganisms inhabiting plants have been shown to affect the interactions between plants and sap-feeding insects, emphasizing that insect-microbe associations should not be limited to the insect body, but rather include the microbiota of organisms closely associated with insects. These discoveries have also led to important applied aspects in insect pest management. Despite an appreciable body of evidence that insect-microbe associations have contributed to the success of insects, continued basic and applied research are needed to understand further the importance of such associations to better support ecological balance.
In this Research Topic, we provide a conspectus that explores a variety of physiological, ecological, and evolutionary aspects of arthropod-microbe interactions, with an aim to expand the body of literature, and reach a variety of audiences. Therefore, we welcome both senior and young scientists to submit research, review, or perspective manuscripts on the following subtopics:
• Arthropods microbiome
• Co-evolution of insect-host dependence
• Ecology of host-arthropod-microorganisms interactions (the effects of host microbiota on arthropod microbiomes and vice versa)
• Arthropods microbiota contributions to environmental threat resistance
• Microorganisms as resources for novel pest control strategies
• The potential of arthropod microbiomes as model systems
Keywords: Arthropods, microbiome, symbiosis, Arthropods-microbial interaction, co-evolution
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
