Abstract: 【Aim】 To isolate and investigate the microbiota from Drosophila melanogaster gut harboring substantial numbers of commensal microorganisms, and to further reveal the diversity and functions of microbial communities. 【Methods】 Anaerobic bacteria from the gut of D. melanogaster adults were isolated with Hungate roll tube technique. The symbiotic bacteria were assayed with colonization testing. The effects of the bacteria on developmental time and growth rate of D. melanogaster were detected. 【Results】 We first isolated one strain of the anaerobic bacteria (Clostridium perfringens) from D. melanogaster gut. C. perfringens is able to colonize the fly gut and could be maintained in fly breeding medium, suggesting that it is a commensal bacterium of Drosophila. Furthermore, C. perfringens stimulated the development of germ-free D. melanogaster by shortening its developmental time: shortening pupal formation from 20 d to 8.1 d and adult eclosion from 30 d to 12.7 d, respectively. C. perfringens also accelerated the growth rate. 【Conclusion】 The study revealed that C. perfringens is the commensal bacteria of D. melanogaster, and has the promoting effect on the growth and development of D. melanogaster via promoting its growth rate.  

Key words: Clostridium perfringens, Drosophila melanogaster, commensal bacteria, development, growth rate