Bacterial diversity associated with the brown stone centipede, Lithobius forficatus (Chilopoda, Lithobiomorpha)

Many associations with microbial species significantly affect the biology, ecology
and evolution of the host. Yet, our understanding of the species composition of the
gut microbiota remains limited for many host species. Here, we provide a new step
towards filling this gap, and characterize the bacterial microbiota of 60 specimens
of Lithobius forficatus, a brown stone centipede commonly found in Finland. Many
specimens analysed in this study were found to have a very species-rich bacterial com-
munity, while others hosted communities clearly dominated by one bacterial species.
The most abundant phylotypes included some potential pathogens such as Borrelia
and Pseudomonas, a honeybee gut symbiont Gilliamella and some maternally inher-
ited symbiotic bacteria, including Wolbachia and Rickettsiaceae. While females and
males were found to carry similar bacterial communities, population had a significant
effect on the bacterial community composition. Bacterial species richness did not
differ between sexes or between populations in Lithobious forficatus.