Publication: Análisis comparativo de la morfometría, microbiota y efectos de la endogamia en poblaciones globales de Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)
Authors
Ramos Martínez, Ángel
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Escuelas::Escuela Internacional de Doctorado
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Galián Albaladejo, José
Publisher
Universidad de Murcia
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DOI
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info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
Description
Abstract
La presente tesis tiene como objetivo principal analizar, cuantificar y caracterizar los cambios morfológicos, productivos, reproductivos y microbiológicos en la especie Tenebrio molitor, considerando su origen geográfico y cría. Se evaluaron variables como peso, longitud, coloración, presencia de malformaciones, parámetros reproductivos, morfología y microbiota intestinal. Un segundo objetivo fue explorar las aplicaciones prácticas de estas diferencias en el sector productivo, especialmente en la explotación del vigor híbrido, la selección de líneas con características favorables y la utilización de cepas bacterianas beneficiosas para mejorar el rendimiento, la sanidad y la seguridad alimentaria.
La metodología se estructuró en seis capítulos. El primero consistió en una revisión sistemática sobre la cría intensiva de insectos y las consecuencias de la consanguinidad en campos reproductivos, productivos, hormonales, genéticos e inmunológicos. El segundo abordó el cruce de diferentes poblaciones de T. molitor de distintos orígenes, evaluando parámetros productivos como número de descendientes y velocidad del ciclo. El tercero analizó variaciones morfológicas entre poblaciones globales mediante morfometría geométrica. El cuarto estudió la composición de la microbiota intestinal en poblaciones silvestres, industriales y tradicionales, mientras que el quinto examinó cómo distintas dietas, suplementadas con carpóforos y micelio de hongos, modifican la microbiota en una misma población. Finalmente, el sexto evaluó el efecto probiótico de Pediococcus pentosaceus frente a patógenos, verificando su potencial como suplemento en la cría intensiva.
Las conclusiones reflejan la importancia de integrar enfoques genéticos, morfológicos y microbiológicos en la producción de T. molitor. En primer lugar, se confirma el impacto negativo de la endogamia: menor éxito reproductivo, debilitamiento inmunológico, reducción de la diversidad genética y aumento de malformaciones. Al mismo tiempo, se destaca el valor estratégico de las poblaciones silvestres, con alta variabilidad genética y fenotípica, para contrarrestar los efectos de la consanguinidad.
En relación con la variabilidad morfológica, la morfometría geométrica se consolidó como herramienta eficaz para diferenciar poblaciones según origen y sistema de cría. Se observó que la domesticación y la intensificación reducen la diversidad morfológica, lo cual puede limitar la adaptabilidad de las colonias en contextos productivos. Asimismo, la dispersión histórica de la especie pudo reconstruirse parcialmente a partir de evidencias morfológicas, vinculando su expansión con la agricultura y el comercio.
El estudio de la microbiota intestinal mostró una fuerte influencia del origen y del sistema de cría. Las poblaciones tradicionales exhibieron mayor diversidad bacteriana, mientras que los sistemas industriales tendieron a empobrecerla, con efectos potencialmente negativos en digestión, inmunidad y resiliencia. La dieta también resultó determinante: la inclusión de micelio de Lentinula edodes en niveles moderados favoreció comunidades bacterianas equilibradas, mientras que altas proporciones de carpóforo promovieron estados de disbiosis asociados a Enterobacteriaceae. Estos hallazgos subrayan la necesidad de diseñar estrategias nutricionales que consideren la microbiota como objetivo central de manejo.
Por último, la suplementación con P. pentosaceus demostró un doble beneficio. Mejoró discretamente parámetros productivos, y en presencia de patógenos redujo la mortalidad y los daños sobre el desarrollo. Se identificaron, además, posibles aplicaciones industriales derivadas de la modificación del exoesqueleto asociada a la suplementación. En conjunto, el uso de este probiótico se perfila como una herramienta sostenible, escalable y eficaz para reforzar la productividad y bioseguridad en la industria entomológica.
Esta tesis evidencia que la optimización de la cría de T. molitor requiere un enfoque integral que combine la gestión genética, morfológica y microbiológica. La integración de estrategias basadas en vigor híbrido, selección de líneas, manipulación nutricional y uso de probióticos permite no solo mejorar la eficiencia y la resiliencia de las colonias, sino también garantizar su sostenibilidad en el marco de la producción animal y la bioeconomía moderna.
The main objective of this thesis is to analyze, quantify, and characterize morphological, productive, reproductive, and microbiological changes in the species Tenebrio molitor, considering its geographical origin and rearing conditions. Variables such as weight, length, coloration, presence of malformations, reproductive parameters, geometric morphometrics, and intestinal microbiota composition were evaluated. A second goal was to explore the practical applications of these intraspecific differences in the productive sector, focusing on the exploitation of hybrid vigor, the selection of favorable lines, and the use of beneficial bacterial strains to improve performance, health, and food safety in intensive rearing systems. The methodology was structured into six chapters. The first consisted of a systematic review on intensive insect rearing and the consequences of inbreeding in reproductive, productive, hormonal, genetic, and immunological contexts. The second examined the crossing of different T. molitor populations from various origins, evaluating productive parameters such as offspring number and development cycle duration. The third analyzed morphological variation among global populations through geometric morphometrics. The fourth studied the intestinal microbiota composition in wild, industrial, and traditionally reared populations, while the fifth explored how different diets, supplemented with fungal carpophore and mycelium, altered the microbiota in a single population. Finally, the sixth chapter evaluated the probiotic effect of Pediococcus pentosaceus against relevant pathogens, testing its potential as a functional supplement in intensive rearing. The conclusions highlight the importance of integrating genetic, morphological, and microbiological approaches into T. molitor production. First, the negative effects of inbreeding were confirmed: reduced reproductive success, weakened immunity, decreased genetic diversity, and increased malformations. At the same time, the strategic value of wild populations was emphasized, as they exhibit high genetic and phenotypic variability, which can counterbalance the effects of consanguinity. Regarding morphological variability, geometric morphometrics proved to be an effective tool to differentiate populations according to origin and rearing system. It was observed that domestication and intensification reduce morphological diversity, potentially limiting colony adaptability in productive contexts. Morphological evidence also allowed partial reconstruction of the historical dispersal of the species, linking its expansion to agriculture and commerce. The study of intestinal microbiota revealed strong influence from origin and rearing conditions. Traditional populations exhibited greater bacterial diversity, whereas industrial systems tended to impoverish it, with potential negative effects on digestion, immunity, and resilience. Diet was also a key factor: moderate inclusion of Lentinula edodes mycelium promoted more balanced microbial communities, while high proportions of carpophore led to dysbiosis associated with Enterobacteriaceae. These findings underscore the need to design nutritional strategies that explicitly consider microbiota as a core management target. Finally, supplementation with P. pentosaceus showed dual benefits. Under standard conditions, it modestly improved productive parameters, and under pathogen exposure it reduced mortality and mitigated developmental damage. Additional industrial applications were identified, such as exoskeleton modifications linked to supplementation. Altogether, this probiotic appears to be a sustainable, scalable, and effective tool to enhance productivity and biosecurity in the entomological industry. In conclusion, this thesis demonstrates that optimizing T. molitor rearing requires an integrative approach that combines genetic, morphological, and microbiological management. Strategies based on hybrid vigor, line selection, nutritional modulation, and probiotic use not only improve colony efficiency and resilience but also ensure sustainability within animal production systems and the modern bioeconomy.
The main objective of this thesis is to analyze, quantify, and characterize morphological, productive, reproductive, and microbiological changes in the species Tenebrio molitor, considering its geographical origin and rearing conditions. Variables such as weight, length, coloration, presence of malformations, reproductive parameters, geometric morphometrics, and intestinal microbiota composition were evaluated. A second goal was to explore the practical applications of these intraspecific differences in the productive sector, focusing on the exploitation of hybrid vigor, the selection of favorable lines, and the use of beneficial bacterial strains to improve performance, health, and food safety in intensive rearing systems. The methodology was structured into six chapters. The first consisted of a systematic review on intensive insect rearing and the consequences of inbreeding in reproductive, productive, hormonal, genetic, and immunological contexts. The second examined the crossing of different T. molitor populations from various origins, evaluating productive parameters such as offspring number and development cycle duration. The third analyzed morphological variation among global populations through geometric morphometrics. The fourth studied the intestinal microbiota composition in wild, industrial, and traditionally reared populations, while the fifth explored how different diets, supplemented with fungal carpophore and mycelium, altered the microbiota in a single population. Finally, the sixth chapter evaluated the probiotic effect of Pediococcus pentosaceus against relevant pathogens, testing its potential as a functional supplement in intensive rearing. The conclusions highlight the importance of integrating genetic, morphological, and microbiological approaches into T. molitor production. First, the negative effects of inbreeding were confirmed: reduced reproductive success, weakened immunity, decreased genetic diversity, and increased malformations. At the same time, the strategic value of wild populations was emphasized, as they exhibit high genetic and phenotypic variability, which can counterbalance the effects of consanguinity. Regarding morphological variability, geometric morphometrics proved to be an effective tool to differentiate populations according to origin and rearing system. It was observed that domestication and intensification reduce morphological diversity, potentially limiting colony adaptability in productive contexts. Morphological evidence also allowed partial reconstruction of the historical dispersal of the species, linking its expansion to agriculture and commerce. The study of intestinal microbiota revealed strong influence from origin and rearing conditions. Traditional populations exhibited greater bacterial diversity, whereas industrial systems tended to impoverish it, with potential negative effects on digestion, immunity, and resilience. Diet was also a key factor: moderate inclusion of Lentinula edodes mycelium promoted more balanced microbial communities, while high proportions of carpophore led to dysbiosis associated with Enterobacteriaceae. These findings underscore the need to design nutritional strategies that explicitly consider microbiota as a core management target. Finally, supplementation with P. pentosaceus showed dual benefits. Under standard conditions, it modestly improved productive parameters, and under pathogen exposure it reduced mortality and mitigated developmental damage. Additional industrial applications were identified, such as exoskeleton modifications linked to supplementation. Altogether, this probiotic appears to be a sustainable, scalable, and effective tool to enhance productivity and biosecurity in the entomological industry. In conclusion, this thesis demonstrates that optimizing T. molitor rearing requires an integrative approach that combines genetic, morphological, and microbiological management. Strategies based on hybrid vigor, line selection, nutritional modulation, and probiotic use not only improve colony efficiency and resilience but also ensure sustainability within animal production systems and the modern bioeconomy.
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