Effects of mycotoxin-producing fungi on the fitness and gut bacterial community of the soil springtail <i>Folsomia candida</i>

Mycotoxin-producing fungi are widespread in nature and raise concerns for human and livestock health. Although they share the same ecosystem, interactions between mycotoxin-producing fungi and soil arthropods are not well understood. In this study, we report an unexpected finding that the soil arthropod <i>Folsomia candida</i> is rather tolerant to these mycotoxin-producing fungi. <i>F. candida</i> can survive solely on mycotoxin-producing fungi as a food source with reduced physiological parameters. Moreover, the gut microbial community is disturbed by mycotoxin-producing fungi, and some of the bacteria isolated from <i>F. candida</i>'s gut can inhibit the growth of corresponding fungi. Notably, the altered physiological parameters and gut microbiota are restored when a normal diet is reintroduced, suggesting <i>F. candida</i>'s resilience to mycotoxin-producing fungi. These findings clarify the impact of toxin-producing diets on <i>F. candida</i>, shedding light on how organisms can build resilience to environmental stimuli.