Isolation and Characterization of Bacteria Present in the Gut of Dead Females Glossina morsitan Submorsitans Using Culture Dependent and Independent Methods

Abstract

This study aimed to isolate and characterize bacteria present in the gut of death female Glossina morsitan submorsitans using culture dependent and independent methods. Thirty-four fresh dead female flies were obtained from the insectary of Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research (NITR), Kaduna. The flies were surface sterilized and the mid-guts were dissected under aseptic conditions. The gut bacterial cultures were done for pregnant and non-pregnant dead female flies (6weeks- 15weeks old) a total of 20 isolates. The culture dependent methods identified six bacterial genera namely, Serratia species, Staphylococcus species, Escherichia species, Myroides species, Providencia species and Alkaligenes species. Molecular analysis only identified four (4) out of the six (6) isolates; as 4(50%) Serratia mercesens, 1(12.5%) Alcaligenes faecalis, 2(25%) Myroides odoratimus and 1(12.5%) Providencia. This is not surprising because the microorganisms were not included in the targeted spectrum of the Polymerase Chain Reaction. Our study recorded for the first time the presence of Myroides odoratimus in the gut of G. M. submorsitans in Nigeria. Some of these bacteria are pathogenic to the flies and may be the cause of mortality of laboratory reared flies. We recommend intensive research on tse tse gut bacterial flora to give insight into their use as potential vector bio-control tool.