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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC 4.0Iranian Journal of Microbiology

Amplicon-based gut microbial profiling and their predicted functional potential in Apis dorsata across two ecological regions of Pakistan

  • Iram Asad1
  • Mubashar Hussain1
  • Sheeza Sakhawat1
  • Arooj Fatima1
  • Aqsa Noreen1
  • Aniza Iftikhar1
  • Suleman Hussain Shah1
  • Saira Bashir1
  • Samia Arif2
  • Iqra Rafiq3
  • Haseeb Raza4
  • Yasal Cheema1
2 more authors
  • Iqra Nawaz1
  • Muhammad Sikander1
4 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan
  2. 2Department of Higher Education, Faculty of Science, Govt. Asghar Ali Graduate College for Women, Punjab, Pakistan
  3. 3Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Science, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan
  4. 4Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan
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Abstract

Background and Objectives:: Apis dorsata (A. dorsata), the giant honeybee, is an important pollinator of Asia. Gut-microbial assemblages contribute to nutrient utilization and metabolism, yet their diversity in the gut of A. dorsata remains underexplored. The main objective of the current study was to explore the impact of local geographical conditions on the gut microbial diversity and the functional potential of A. dorsata gut-associated bacteria.

Materials and Methods:: Bacterial community profiling and characterization were performed using high-throughput sequencing on the DNA Nanoball Sequencing (DNBseq) platform.

Results:: Fifty-four bacterial species were detected from the gut of A. dorsata, expanding the known microbial diversity of this host species. The comprehensive analysis of pooled samples from two regions revealed that higher microbial diversity in district Bhimber than in Jhelum. Nevertheless, site-specific putative differences were observed in the pathways related to carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid synthesis, and other cellular activities.

Conclusion:: This exploratory pilot investigation revealed site-wise preliminary differences in taxonomy and putative metabolic functions of bacterial species. These results provide a baseline for future studies on the diversity and dynamics of functioning of gut-associated microbial communities of A. dorsata.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{asad2026ampliconbased,
  title = {{Amplicon-based gut microbial profiling and their predicted functional potential in Apis dorsata across two ecological regions of Pakistan}},
  author = {Iram Asad and Mubashar Hussain and Sheeza Sakhawat and Arooj Fatima and Aqsa Noreen and Aniza Iftikhar and Suleman Hussain Shah and Saira Bashir and Samia Arif and Iqra Rafiq and Haseeb Raza and Yasal Cheema and Iqra Nawaz and Muhammad Sikander},
  journal = {Iranian Journal of Microbiology},
  year = {2026},
  month = nov,
  doi = {10.18502/ijm.v18i5.22869},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.18502/ijm.v18i5.22869},
  note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Amplicon-based gut microbial profiling and their predicted functional potential in Apis dorsata across two ecological regions of Pakistan
AU  - Iram Asad
AU  - Mubashar Hussain
AU  - Sheeza Sakhawat
AU  - Arooj Fatima
AU  - Aqsa Noreen
AU  - Aniza Iftikhar
AU  - Suleman Hussain Shah
AU  - Saira Bashir
AU  - Samia Arif
AU  - Iqra Rafiq
AU  - Haseeb Raza
AU  - Yasal Cheema
AU  - Iqra Nawaz
AU  - Muhammad Sikander
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/11/06
JO  - Iranian Journal of Microbiology
DO  - 10.18502/ijm.v18i5.22869
UR  - https://doi.org/10.18502/ijm.v18i5.22869
AB  - Background and Objectives:: Apis dorsata (A. dorsata), the giant honeybee, is an important pollinator of Asia. Gut-microbial assemblages contribute to nutrient utilization and metabolism, yet their diversity in the gut of A. dorsata remains underexplored. The main objective of the current study was to explore the impact of local geographical conditions on the gut microbial diversity and the functional potential of A. dorsata gut-associated bacteria.  Materials and Methods:: Bacterial community profiling and characterization were performed using high-throughput sequencing on the DNA Nanoball Sequencing (DNBseq) platform.  Results:: Fifty-four bacterial species were detected from the gut of A. dorsata, expanding the known microbial diversity of this host species. The comprehensive analysis of pooled samples from two regions revealed that higher microbial diversity in district Bhimber than in Jhelum. Nevertheless, site-specific putative differences were observed in the pathways related to carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid synthesis, and other cellular activities.  Conclusion:: This exploratory pilot investigation revealed site-wise preliminary differences in taxonomy and putative metabolic functions of bacterial species. These results provide a baseline for future studies on the diversity and dynamics of functioning of gut-associated microbial communities of A. dorsata.
SN  - 2008-3289
SN  - 2008-4447
ER  -