# Is it time to assign Lactiplantibacillus plantarum as a keystone species in the Drosophila melanogaster microbiota?

## TL;DR

This paper discusses the important role of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum in the gut microbiota of fruit flies and suggests it may be a keystone species.

## Contribution

The paper highlights new evidence for L. plantarum's influential role in shaping Drosophila melanogaster's biology and microbial community.

## Key findings

- Lactiplantibacillus plantarum significantly influences the microbial dynamics of Drosophila melanogaster.
- The species plays a unique and central role in the gut microbiota of fruit flies.

## Abstract

Recent work by Yang et al. published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology (91:e00707-25, 2025, https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.00707-25) offers fresh insights into the important roles played by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum within the microbial community of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. This commentary summarizes their findings in the context of earlier studies, highlighting the unique and influential position of L. plantarum in shaping the biology and microbial dynamics of D. melanogaster.