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Angers B, Perez M, Menicucci T, Leung C. Sources of epigenetic variation and their applications in natural populations. Evol Appl 2020; 13:1262-1278. [PMID: 32684958 PMCID: PMC7359850 DOI: 10.1111/eva.12946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 03/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic processes manage gene expression and products in a real‐time manner, allowing a single genome to display different phenotypes. In this paper, we discussed the relevance of assessing the different sources of epigenetic variation in natural populations. For a given genotype, the epigenetic variation could be environmentally induced or occur randomly. Strategies developed by organisms to face environmental fluctuations such as phenotypic plasticity and diversified bet‐hedging rely, respectively, on these different sources. Random variation can also represent a proxy of developmental stability and can be used to assess how organisms deal with stressful environmental conditions. We then proposed the microbiome as an extension of the epigenotype of the host to assess the factors determining the establishment of the community of microorganisms. Finally, we discussed these perspectives in the applied context of conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard Angers
- Department of biological sciences Université de Montréal Montreal Quebec Canada
| | - Maëva Perez
- Department of biological sciences Université de Montréal Montreal Quebec Canada
| | - Tatiana Menicucci
- Department of biological sciences Université de Montréal Montreal Quebec Canada
| | - Christelle Leung
- CEFE CNRS Université de Montpellier Université Paul Valéry Montpellier 3 EPHE Montpellier France
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Tang L, Li Y, Srivathsan A, Gao Y, Li K, Hu D, Zhang D. Gut Microbiomes of Endangered Przewalski's Horse Populations in Short- and Long-Term Captivity: Implication for Species Reintroduction Based on the Soft-Release Strategy. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:363. [PMID: 32226419 PMCID: PMC7081077 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Captivity maybe the only choice for survival of many endangered vertebrates, and understanding its broad effects is important for animal management and conservation, including breeding endangered species for subsequent release. Extreme environmental changes during captivity may influence survival ability in the wild. Captivity decreases gut bacterial diversity in a wide range of animals. However, most studies directly compare animals living in captivity with those in the wild, and there is a lack of understanding of effects of gradient shift in lifestyle during species reintroduction based on the soft-release strategy, which involves a confinement period in a field enclosure. Here, we used 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing to analyze gut microbiomes of 11 captive and 12 semi-wild Przewalski’s horses (PH; Equus ferus przewalskii) under the same captivity environment, using fecal samples. A subset of samples with abundant extracted DNA (including 3 captive and 3 semi-wild individuals) was selected for whole-genome shotgun sequencing. We found that community diversity did not differ between the semi-wild PH and captive PH, but the semi-wild PH had significantly higher bacterial richness than those in captivity. Relative abundances of all dominant phyla were similar across the semi-wild or captive horses, while those of the non-dominant phyla Tenericutes and Proteobacteria were significantly higher in semi-wild PH than in captive PH. Beta diversity results indicated that bacterial communities of captives and semi-wild horses were clearly separated distinct when considering only composition. Functional profiling of the microbiomes revealed that the semi-wild and captive gut microbiomes were largely similar. However, semi-wild horse microbiomes had higher abundance of bacterial genes related to core metabolic processes, such as carbohydrates, amino acids, and nucleic acid metabolism. The study revealed that semi-wild PH could retain specific non-dominant bacteria and harbor a more diverse microbiome than the captive counterpart, and thus have higher metabolic potential to utilize the complex plants efficiently. These results indicate that change in host lifestyle may play a role in microbiome differentiation in the process of reintroduction, suggesting that a short period of time in captivity is acceptable for PH from the perspective of maintaining the richness of intestinal bacterial flora to some extent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Tang
- School of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Yimeng Li
- School of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Amrita Srivathsan
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yunyun Gao
- School of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Kai Li
- School of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Defu Hu
- School of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Dong Zhang
- School of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
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53
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Hernández-Gómez O, Byrne AQ, Gunderson AR, Jenkinson TS, Noss CF, Rothstein AP, Womack MC, Rosenblum EB. Invasive vegetation affects amphibian skin microbiota and body condition. PeerJ 2020; 8:e8549. [PMID: 32117625 PMCID: PMC7035873 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive plants are major drivers of habitat modification and the scale of their impact is increasing globally as anthropogenic activities facilitate their spread. In California, an invasive plant genus of great concern is Eucalyptus. Eucalyptus leaves can alter soil chemistry and negatively affect underground macro- and microbial communities. Amphibians serve as excellent models to evaluate the effect of Eucalyptus invasion on ground-dwelling species as they predate on soil arthropods and incorporate soil microbes into their microbiotas. The skin microbiota is particularly important to amphibian health, suggesting that invasive plant species could ultimately affect amphibian populations. To investigate the potential for invasive vegetation to induce changes in microbial communities, we sampled microbial communities in the soil and on the skin of local amphibians. Specifically, we compared Batrachoseps attenuatus skin microbiomes in both Eucalyptus globulus (Myrtaceae) and native Quercus agriflolia (Fagaceae) dominated forests in the San Francisco Bay Area. We determined whether changes in microbial diversity and composition in both soil and Batrachoseps attenuatus skin were associated with dominant vegetation type. To evaluate animal health across vegetation types, we compared Batrachoseps attenuatus body condition and the presence/absence of the amphibian skin pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. We found that Eucalyptus invasion had no measurable effect on soil microbial community diversity and a relatively small effect (compared to the effect of site identity) on community structure in the microhabitats sampled. In contrast, our results show that Batrachoseps attenuatus skin microbiota diversity was greater in Quercus dominated habitats. One amplicon sequence variant identified in the family Chlamydiaceae was observed in higher relative abundance among salamanders sampled in Eucalyptus dominated habitats. We also observed that Batrachoseps attenuatus body condition was higher in Quercus dominated habitats. Incidence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis across all individuals was very low (only one Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis positive individual). The effect on body condition demonstrates that although Eucalyptus may not always decrease amphibian abundance or diversity, it can potentially have cryptic negative effects. Our findings prompt further work to determine the mechanisms that lead to changes in the health and microbiome of native species post-plant invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Obed Hernández-Gómez
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Allison Q. Byrne
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Alex R. Gunderson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Thomas S. Jenkinson
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Clay F. Noss
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Andrew P. Rothstein
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Molly C. Womack
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Erica B. Rosenblum
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
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Kenison EK, Hernández-Gómez O, Williams RN. A novel bioaugmentation technique effectively increases the skin-associated microbial diversity of captive eastern hellbenders. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 8:coaa040. [PMID: 32431814 PMCID: PMC7221235 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coaa040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2019] [Revised: 12/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Captive environments are maintained in hygienic ways that lack free-flowing microbes found in animals' natural environments. As a result, captive animals often have depauperate host-associated microbial communities compared to conspecifics in the wild and may have increased disease susceptibility and reduced immune function. Eastern hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) have suffered precipitous population declines over the past few decades. To bolster populations, eastern hellbenders are reared in captivity before being translocated to the wild. However, the absence of natural microbial reservoirs within the captive environment diminishes the diversity of skin-associated bacteria on hellbender skin and may negatively influence their ability to defend against pathogenic species once they are released into the wild. To prepare hellbenders for natural bacteria found in riverine environments, we devised a novel bioaugmentation method to increase the diversity of skin microbial communities within a captive setting. We exposed juvenile hellbenders to increasing amounts of river water over 5 weeks before translocating them to the river. We genetically identified and phylogenetically compared bacteria collected from skin swabs and river water for alpha (community richness) and beta (community composition) diversity estimates. We found that hellbenders exposed to undiluted river water in captivity had higher alpha diversity and distinct differentiation in the community composition on their skin, compared to hellbenders only exposed to well water. We also found strong evidence that hellbender skin microbiota is host-specific rather than environmentally driven and is colonized by rare environmental operational taxonomic units in river water. This technique may increase hellbender translocation success as increasing microbial diversity is often correlated with elevated disease resistance. Future work is necessary to refine our methods, investigate the relationship between microbial diversity and hellbender health and understand how this bioaugmentation technique influences hellbenders' survival following translocation from captivity into the wild.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin K Kenison
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, 715 W. State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Idaho Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1387 S. Vinnell Way, Boise, ID 83706, USA
- Corresponding author: Idaho Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Boise, ID 83706, USA. Tel: (208) 685-6965.
| | - Obed Hernández-Gómez
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, 715 W. State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Dominican University of California, 50 Acacia Ave., San Rafael, CA 94901, USA
| | - Rod N Williams
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, 715 W. State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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Amphibian Skin Microbiota Response to Variable Housing Conditions and Experimental Treatment across Space and Time. J HERPETOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1670/18-120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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56
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Mushegian AA, Tougeron K. Animal-Microbe Interactions in the Context of Diapause. THE BIOLOGICAL BULLETIN 2019; 237:180-191. [PMID: 31714855 DOI: 10.1086/706078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Dormancy and diapause are key adaptations in many organisms, enabling survival of temporarily or seasonally unsuitable environmental conditions. In this review, we examine how our understanding of programmed developmental and metabolic arrest during diapause intersects with the increasing body of knowledge about animal co-development and co-evolution with microorganisms. Host-microbe interactions are increasingly understood to affect a number of metabolic, physiological, developmental, and behavioral traits and to mediate adaptations to various environments. Therefore, it is timely to consider how microbial factors might affect the expression and evolution of diapause in a changing world. We examine how a range of host-microbe interactions, from pathogenic to mutualistic, may have an impact on diapause phenotypes. Conversely, we examine how the discontinuities that diapause introduces into animal host generations can affect the ecology of microbial communities and the evolution of host-microbe interactions. We discuss these issues as they relate to physiology, evolution of development, local adaptation, disease ecology, and environmental change. Finally, we outline research questions that bridge the historically distinct fields of seasonal ecology and host-microbe interactions.
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57
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Karmacharya D, Manandhar P, Manandhar S, Sherchan AM, Sharma AN, Joshi J, Bista M, Bajracharya S, Awasthi NP, Sharma N, Llewellyn B, Waits LP, Thapa K, Kelly MJ, Vuyisich M, Starkenburg SR, Hero JM, Hughes J, Wultsch C, Bertola L, Fountain-Jones NM, Sinha AK. Gut microbiota and their putative metabolic functions in fragmented Bengal tiger population of Nepal. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0221868. [PMID: 31465520 PMCID: PMC6715213 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris tigris) serve a pivotal role as an apex predator in forest ecosystems. To increase our knowledge on factors impacting the viability and health of this endangered species, we studied the gut microbiota in 32 individual Bengal tigers from three geographically separated areas (Chitwan National Park (CNP), Bardia National Park (BNP) and Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve (SWR)) in Nepal, using noninvasive genetic sampling methods. Gut microbiota influence the immune system, impact various physiological functions, and modulates metabolic reactions, that ultimately impact the host health, behavior and development. Across the tiger populations in Nepal, we found significant differences in the composition of microbial communities based on their geographic locations. Specifically, we detected significant differences between CNP and the other two protected areas (CNP vs BNP: pseudo t = 1.944, P = 0.006; CNP vs SWR: pseudo t = 1.9942, P = 0.0071), but no differences between BNP and SWR. This mirrors what has been found for tiger gene flow in the same populations, suggesting gut microbiota composition and host gene flow may be linked. Furthermore, predictive metagenome functional content analysis (PICRUSt) revealed a higher functional enrichment and diversity for significant gut microbiota in the Chitwan tiger population and the lowest enrichment and diversity in Suklaphanta. The CNP tiger population contained higher proportions of microbiota that are associated with predicted functions relevant for metabolism of amino acid, lipid, xenobiotics biodegradation, terpenoides and polyketides than the SWR population. We conclude the tiger population structure, gut microbiota profile and associated functional metabolic categories are correlated, with geographically most separated CNP and SWR tiger population having the most distinct and different host genotype and microbiota profiles. Our work dramatically expands the understanding of tiger microbiota in wild populations and provides a valuable case study on how to investigate genetic diversity at different hierarchical levels, including hosts as well as their microbial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dibesh Karmacharya
- Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal
- School of Environment, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | - Jyoti Joshi
- Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Manisha Bista
- Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | | | | | - Netra Sharma
- Environment Team, U.S. Agency for International Development, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Bronwyn Llewellyn
- Environment Team, U.S. Agency for International Development, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Lisette P. Waits
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, United States of America
| | - Kanchan Thapa
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Marcella J. Kelly
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Momchilo Vuyisich
- Applied Genomics, Los Alamos National Lab, Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Shawn R. Starkenburg
- Applied Genomics, Los Alamos National Lab, Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Jean-Marc Hero
- School of Science & Education, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jane Hughes
- School of Environment, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Claudia Wultsch
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, New York, United States of America
- Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics Laboratory, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Laura Bertola
- Department of Biology, City College of New York, New York, United States of America
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Nicholas M. Fountain-Jones
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Amit K. Sinha
- Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal
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Yao R, Xu L, Lu G, Zhu L. Evaluation of the Function of Wild Animal Gut Microbiomes Using Next-Generation Sequencing and Bioinformatics and its Relevance to Animal Conservation. Evol Bioinform Online 2019; 15:1176934319848438. [PMID: 31205409 PMCID: PMC6537485 DOI: 10.1177/1176934319848438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The relationship between animal conservation and the animal gut microbiome is a hot topic in current microbial ecology research. Our group has recently revealed that the occurrence of diverse combinations of gut microbial compositions and functions (metagenomics) in Père David's deer (Elaphurus davidianus) populations is likely to lead to increased evolutionary potential and resilience in response to environmental changes. Thus, considering the effects of diet on the gut microbiome and the importance of a stable gut microbial community to host health, we suggest that a transitional buffer period (with feeding on a regular diet and a diet from the translocation habitat) is needed before animal translocation. When the gut microbiome enters into relatively stable stages and adapts to the new diet from the translocation site, the time is suitable for translocation. Long-term monitoring of the gut microbiomes of translocated animals (by collecting fresh feces and carrying out next-generation sequencing) is still necessary after their translocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Yao
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lianglaing Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Guoqing Lu
- Department of Biology, University of Nebraska Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Lifeng Zhu
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
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Schmidt E, Mykytczuk N, Schulte-Hostedde AI. Effects of the captive and wild environment on diversity of the gut microbiome of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus). THE ISME JOURNAL 2019; 13:1293-1305. [PMID: 30664674 PMCID: PMC6474230 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-019-0345-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Revised: 12/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Vertebrate gastrointestinal tracts have co-existed with microbes over millennia. These microbial communities provide their host with numerous benefits. However, the extent to which different environmental factors contribute to the assemblage of gut microbial communities is not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to determine how the external environment influences the development of gut microbiome communities (GMCs). Faecal samples were collected from deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) born and raised in captivity and the wild at approximately 3-5 weeks of age. Additional samples were collected 2 weeks later, with a subset of individuals being translocated between captive and wild environments. Microbial data were analysed using 16S rRNA next-generation Illumina HiSeq sequencing methods. GMCs of deer mice were more similar between neighbours who shared the same environment, regardless of where an individual was born, demonstrating that GMCs are significantly influenced by the surrounding environment and can rapidly change over time. Mice in natural environments contained more diverse GMCs with higher relative abundances of Ruminoccocaceae, Helicobacteraceae and Lachnospiraceae spp. Future studies should examine the fitness consequences associated with the presence/absence of microbes that are characteristic of GMCs of wild populations to gain a better understanding of environment-microbe-host evolutionary and ecological relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliott Schmidt
- Department of Biology, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, P3E 2C6, Canada.
| | - Nadia Mykytczuk
- Vale Living with Lakes Centre, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, P3E 2C6, Canada
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Xiao Y, Xiao G, Liu H, Zhao X, Sun C, Tan X, Sun K, Liu S, Feng J. Captivity causes taxonomic and functional convergence of gut microbial communities in bats. PeerJ 2019; 7:e6844. [PMID: 31106061 PMCID: PMC6499062 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Diet plays a crucial role in sculpting microbial communities. Similar diets appear to drive convergence of gut microbial communities between host species. Captivity usually provides an identical diet and environment to different animal species that normally have similar diets. Whether different species’ microbial gut communities can be homogenized by a uniform diet in captivity remains unclear. Methods In this study, we compared gut microbial communities of three insectivorous bat species (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, Vespertilio sinensis, and Hipposideros armiger) in captivity and in the wild using 16S rDNA sequencing. In captivity, R. ferrumequinum and V. sinensis were fed yellow mealworms, while H. armiger was fed giant mealworms to rule out the impact of an identical environment on the species’ gut microbial communities. Results We found that the microbial communities of the bat species we studied clustered by species in the wild, while the microbial communities of R. ferrumequinum and V. sinensis in captivity clustered together. All microbial functions found in captive V. sinensis were shared by R. ferrumequinum. Moreover, the relative abundances of all metabolism related KEGG pathways did not significantly differ between captive R. ferrumequinum and V. sinensis; however, the relative abundance of “Glycan Biosynthesis and Metabolism” differed significantly between wild R. ferrumequinum and V. sinensis. Conclusion Our results suggest that consuming identical diets while in captivity tends to homogenize the gut microbial communities among bat species. This study further highlights the importance of diet in shaping animal gut microbiotas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhong Xiao
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Guohong Xiao
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Heng Liu
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xin Zhao
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Congnan Sun
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xiao Tan
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Keping Sun
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Sen Liu
- Institute of Resources & Environment, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, Henan, China
| | - Jiang Feng
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China.,College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, China
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61
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Hernández-Gómez O, Briggler JT, Williams RN. Captivity-Induced Changes in the Skin Microbial Communities of Hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis). MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2019; 77:782-793. [PMID: 30209587 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-018-1258-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Variation in environmental conditions can result in disparate associations between hosts and microbial symbionts. As such, it is imperative to evaluate how environmental variables (e.g., habitat quality) can influence host-associated microbiome composition. Within wildlife conservation programs, captive conditions can negatively influence the establishment and maintenance of "wild-type" microbiotas within a host. Alternative microbial communities can result in the proliferation of disease among captive stock or upon reintroduction. Hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) are a threatened salamander for which extensive captive management is currently employed. Using metabarcoding, we characterized the skin microbiota of wild and captive hellbenders from two subspecies in the state of Missouri, the eastern (C. a. alleganiensis) and the Ozark hellbender (C. a. bishopi). Both subspecies in our study included wild adults and captive juveniles that were collected from the wild as eggs. Our objectives were to investigate differences in the skin microbial communities' richness/diversity, composition, and functional profiles of microbes between wild and captive individuals. Captive eastern hellbenders possessed richer communities than wild cohorts, whereas the opposite pattern was observed within the Ozark subspecies. We found significant microbial community structure between wild and captive populations of both subspecies. Microbiota structure translated into differences in the predicted metagenome of wild and captive individuals as well. As such, we can expect captive hellbenders to experience alternative microbial structure and function upon reintroduction into the wild. Our study provides a baseline for the effect of captivity on the skin microbial communities of hellbenders, and highlights the need to incorporate microbiota management in current captive-rearing programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Obed Hernández-Gómez
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California-Berkeley, 147 Hilgard Hall, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
| | - Jeffrey T Briggler
- Missouri Department of Conservation, 2901 W. Truman Blvd, Jefferson City, MO, 65109, USA
| | - Rod N Williams
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, 715 W. State St, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
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Yao R, Xu L, Hu T, Chen H, Qi D, Gu X, Yang X, Yang Z, Zhu L. The “wildness” of the giant panda gut microbiome and its relevance to effective translocation. Glob Ecol Conserv 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
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Wang L, Ding J, Yang Z, Chen H, Yao R, Dai Q, Ding Y, Zhu L. Père David's deer gut microbiome changes across captive and translocated populations: Implications for conservation. Evol Appl 2019; 12:622-635. [PMID: 30828378 PMCID: PMC6383733 DOI: 10.1111/eva.12743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The gut microbial composition and function are shaped by different factors (e.g., host diet and phylogeny). Gut microbes play an important role in host nutrition and development. The gut microbiome may be used to evaluate the host potential environmental adaptation. In this study, we focused on the coevolution of the gut microbiome of captive and translocated Père David's deer populations (Elaphurus davidianus; Chinese: Père David's deer). To address this, we used several different macro- and micro-ecological approaches (landscape ecology, nutritional methods, microscopy, isotopic analysis, and metagenomics). In this long-term study (2011-2014), we observed some dissimilarities in gut microbiome community and function between the captive and wild/translocated Dafeng Père David's deer populations. These differences might link microbiome composition with deer diet within a given season. The proportion of genes coding for putative enzymes (endoglucanase, beta-glucosidase, and cellulose 1,4-beta-cellobiosidase) involved in cellulose digestion in the gut microbiome of the captive populations was higher than that of the translocated population, possibly because of the high proportion of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin in the plants most consumed by the captive populations. However, the two enzymes (natA and natB) involved in sodium transport system were enriched in the gut microbiome in translocated population, possibly because of their high salt diet (e.g., Spartina alterniflora). Thus, our results suggested that Père David's deer gut microorganisms potentially coevolved with host diet, and reflected the local adaptation of translocated population in the new environment (e.g., new dietary plants: Spartina alterniflora). A current problem for Père David's deer conservation is the saturation of captive populations. Given that the putative evolutionary adaptation of Père David's deer gut microbiome and its possible applications in conservation, the large area of wetlands along the Yellow Sea dominated by S. alterniflora might be the major translocation region in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- Nanjing Normal UniversityCollege of Life SciencesNanjingChina
| | | | - Zhisong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education)China West Normal UniversityNanchongChina
| | - Hua Chen
- Shanghai Biozeron Bioinformatics CenterShanghaiChina
| | - Ran Yao
- Nanjing Normal UniversityCollege of Life SciencesNanjingChina
| | - Qiang Dai
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of SciencesChengduChina
| | - Yuhua Ding
- Jiangsu Dafeng Milu National Nature ReserveDafengChina
| | - Lifeng Zhu
- Nanjing Normal UniversityCollege of Life SciencesNanjingChina
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Stalder GL, Pinior B, Zwirzitz B, Loncaric I, Jakupović D, Vetter SG, Smith S, Posautz A, Hoelzl F, Wagner M, Hoffmann D, Kübber-Heiss A, Mann E. Gut microbiota of the European Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus). Sci Rep 2019; 9:2738. [PMID: 30804494 PMCID: PMC6390100 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-39638-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract due to changes in the bacterial flora have been described with increasing incidence in the European brown hare. Despite extensive demographic and phylogeographic research, little is known about the composition of its gut microbiota and how it might vary based on potential environmental or host factors. We analysed the intestinal and faecal microbiota of 3 hare populations by Illumina MiSeq 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The phyla and OTU abundance composition differed significantly between intestinal and faecal samples (PERMANOVA: P = 0.002 and P = 0.031, respectively), but in both sample types Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes dominated the microbial community composition (45.51% and 19.30% relative abundance). Intestinal samples contained an enrichment of Proteobacteria compared with faecal samples (15.71-fold change, P < 0.001). At OTU level, a significant enrichment with best BLAST hits to the Escherichia-Shigella group, Eubacterium limosum, Sphingomonas kyeonggiensis, Flintibacter butyricus and Blautia faecis were detected in intestinal samples (P < 0.05). In our statistical model, geographic location and possibly associated environmental factors had a greater impact on the microbiota composition than host factors. Population had a significant effect on the composition of abundant intestinal and faecal OTUs, and on the abundance of potential pathogenic bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae, regularly associated with intestinal dysbiosis in hares, in faecal samples. Our study is the first to describe the microbiota in brown hares and provides a foundation to generate hypothesis aiming to test the role of gut health in population fluctuations of the species.
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Affiliation(s)
- G L Stalder
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, 1160, Vienna, Austria.
| | - B Pinior
- Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, Institute for Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - B Zwirzitz
- Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, Institute of Milk Hygiene, Milk Technology and Food Science, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, 1210, Vienna, Austria
- Austrian Competence Centre for Feed and Food Quality, Safety and Innovation FFoQSI GmbH, Technopark 1C, 3430, Tulln, Austria
| | - I Loncaric
- Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Microbiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - D Jakupović
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, 1160, Vienna, Austria
| | - S G Vetter
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, 1160, Vienna, Austria
| | - S Smith
- Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, 1160, Vienna, Austria
| | - A Posautz
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, 1160, Vienna, Austria
| | - F Hoelzl
- Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, 1160, Vienna, Austria
| | - M Wagner
- Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, Institute of Milk Hygiene, Milk Technology and Food Science, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, 1210, Vienna, Austria
- Austrian Competence Centre for Feed and Food Quality, Safety and Innovation FFoQSI GmbH, Technopark 1C, 3430, Tulln, Austria
| | - D Hoffmann
- Game Conservancy Deutschland e. V., Schloßstrasse 1, 86732, Oettingen, Germany
| | - A Kübber-Heiss
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, 1160, Vienna, Austria
| | - E Mann
- Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, Institute of Milk Hygiene, Milk Technology and Food Science, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, 1210, Vienna, Austria
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65
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Antwis RE, Edwards KL, Unwin B, Walker SL, Shultz S. Rare gut microbiota associated with breeding success, hormone metabolites and ovarian cycle phase in the critically endangered eastern black rhino. MICROBIOME 2019; 7:27. [PMID: 30770764 PMCID: PMC6377766 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-019-0639-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Host microbiomes play a role in hormone production and subsequent fertility in humans, but this is less well understood in non-model organisms. This is of particular relevance to species in zoo-based conservation breeding programmes, as relationships between host microbiome composition and reproductive output may allow for the development of microbial augmentation strategies to improve success. Here, we characterise faecal bacterial communities of breeding and non-breeding eastern black rhino (Diceros bicornis michaeli) using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and quantify progestagen and glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations through enzyme immunoassays to identify such relationships. RESULTS We identified significant differences in black rhino gut microbiome composition according to ID, institution, breeding success and ovarian cycle phase. In particular, the gut microbiome during pregnancy and post-parturition was significantly altered. Around a third of bacterial genera showed more than ± 10% correlation with either progestagen and/or glucocorticoid concentration, and in general, microbial genera correlated with both hormones in the same direction. Through a combination of analyses, we identified four genera (Aerococcaceae, Atopostipes, Carnobacteriaceae and Solobacterium) that were significantly associated with breeding success, pregnancy and/or post-parturition, and higher faecal progestagen metabolite concentrations. These genera had a lower-than-average relative abundance in the gut microbiome. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that many members of the gut microbiome of black rhino are associated with hormone production and breeding success, and some members of the rare microbiota appear to be particularly important. Although the directionality of the relationship is unclear, the variation in gut microbiome communities represents a potential biomarker of reproductive health. We identified four genera that were associated with multiple indicators of reproductive output; these could be candidate probiotics to improve the breeding success of black rhino in zoo-based conservation breeding programmes. Further work is required to understand the efficacy and feasibility of this, either directly through microbial augmentation (e.g. probiotics) or indirectly via dietary manipulation or prebiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael E Antwis
- School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, UK.
| | - Katie L Edwards
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA, USA
| | - Bryony Unwin
- School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| | - Susan L Walker
- North of England Zoological Society, Chester Zoo, Upton-by-Chester, UK
| | - Susanne Shultz
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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Trevelline BK, Fontaine SS, Hartup BK, Kohl KD. Conservation biology needs a microbial renaissance: a call for the consideration of host-associated microbiota in wildlife management practices. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 286:20182448. [PMID: 30963956 PMCID: PMC6364583 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.2448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 196] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The central aim of conservation biology is to understand and mitigate the effects of human activities on biodiversity. To successfully achieve this objective, researchers must take an interdisciplinary approach that fully considers the effects, both direct and indirect, of anthropogenic disturbances on wildlife physiology and health. A recent surge in research has revealed that host-associated microbiota-the archaeal, bacterial, fungal and viral communities residing on and inside organisms-profoundly influence animal health, and that these microbial communities can be drastically altered by anthropogenic activities. Therefore, conservation practitioners should consider the disruption of host-associated microbial diversity as a serious threat to wildlife populations. Despite the tremendous potential for microbiome research to improve conservation outcomes, few efforts have been made to truly integrate these fields. In this review, we call for the microbial renaissance of conservation biology, where biodiversity of host-associated microbiota is recognized as an essential component of wildlife management practices. Using evidence from the existing literature, we will examine the known effects of anthropogenic activities on the diversity of host-associated microbial communities and integrate approaches for maintaining microbial diversity to successfully achieve conservation objectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian K. Trevelline
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Samantha S. Fontaine
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Barry K. Hartup
- Department of Conservation Medicine, International Crane Foundation, Baraboo, WI, USA
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Kevin D. Kohl
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Comizzoli P, Power M. Reproductive Microbiomes in Wild Animal Species: A New Dimension in Conservation Biology. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1200:225-240. [PMID: 31471799 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-23633-5_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Communities of microbes have coevolved in animal organisms and are found in almost every part of the body. Compositions of those communities (microbiota) as well as their genomes and genes (microbiomes) are critical for functional regulations of the body organ systems-the digestive or 'gut' microbiome being the most described so far. Based on extensive research in humans, microbiomes in the reproductive tract may play a role in reproductive functions and pregnancy. However, in wild animal species, those microbiomes have been poorly studied, and as a result, little is known about their involvement in fertility or parental/offspring health. This emerging research area is highly relevant to conservation biology from captive breeding management to successful reintroduction or maintenance of wild populations. The objective of this chapter is to review current knowledge about reproductive microbiomes in healthy wild animal species. While recognizing the current technical limits of microbial identification in all animal species, we also explore the link between microbial communities (within female or male reproductive systems) and fertility, from conception to birth outcome. In addition, it is critical to understanding how reproductive microbiomes are affected by environmental factors (including captivity, contact with other individuals, or changes in the ecosystem) to optimize conservation efforts. Thus, reproductive microbiomes represent a novel dimension in conservation biology that will likely gain importance in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Comizzoli
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Washington, DC, USA.
| | - M Power
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Washington, DC, USA
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DeCandia AL, Dobson AP, vonHoldt BM. Toward an integrative molecular approach to wildlife disease. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2018; 32:798-807. [PMID: 29380417 PMCID: PMC7162296 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2017] [Revised: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Pathogens pose serious threats to human health, agricultural investment, and biodiversity conservation through the emergence of zoonoses, spillover to domestic livestock, and epizootic outbreaks. As such, wildlife managers are often tasked with mitigating the negative effects of disease. Yet, parasites form a major component of biodiversity that often persist. This is due to logistical challenges of implementing management strategies and to insufficient understanding of host-parasite dynamics. We advocate for an inclusive understanding of molecular diversity in driving parasite infection and variable host disease states in wildlife systems. More specifically, we examine the roles of genetic, epigenetic, and commensal microbial variation in disease pathogenesis. These include mechanisms underlying parasite virulence and host resistance and tolerance, and the development, regulation, and parasite subversion of immune pathways, among other processes. Case studies of devil facial tumor disease in Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) and chytridiomycosis in globally distributed amphibians exemplify the broad range of questions that can be addressed by examining different facets of molecular diversity. For particularly complex systems, integrative molecular analyses present a promising frontier that can provide critical insights necessary to elucidate disease dynamics operating across scales. These insights enable more accurate risk assessment, reconstruction of transmission pathways, discernment of optimal intervention strategies, and development of more effective and ecologically sound treatments that minimize damage to the host population and environment. Such measures are crucial when mitigating threats posed by wildlife disease to humans, domestic animals, and species of conservation concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra L. DeCandia
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyPrinceton University106A Guyot HallPrincetonNJ 08544U.S.A.
| | - Andrew P. Dobson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyPrinceton University106A Guyot HallPrincetonNJ 08544U.S.A.
| | - Bridgett M. vonHoldt
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyPrinceton University106A Guyot HallPrincetonNJ 08544U.S.A.
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70
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Cabana F, Maguire R, Hsu CD, Plowman A. Identification of possible nutritional and stress risk factors in the development of marmoset wasting syndrome. Zoo Biol 2018; 37:98-106. [DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2017] [Revised: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Francis Cabana
- Wildlife Nutrition Centre; Wildlife Reserves Singapore; Singapore Singapore
| | - Rina Maguire
- Veterinary Department; Wildlife Reserves Singapore; Singapore Singapore
| | - Chia-Da Hsu
- Veterinary Department; Wildlife Reserves Singapore; Singapore Singapore
| | - Amy Plowman
- Paignton Zoo Environmental Park; Paignton UK
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71
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Williams CL, Caraballo-Rodríguez AM, Allaband C, Zarrinpar A, Knight R, Gauglitz JM. Wildlife-microbiome interactions and disease: exploring opportunities for disease mitigation across ecological scales. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ddmod.2019.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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72
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Antwis RE, Griffiths SM, Harrison XA, Aranega-Bou P, Arce A, Bettridge AS, Brailsford FL, de Menezes A, Devaynes A, Forbes KM, Fry EL, Goodhead I, Haskell E, Heys C, James C, Johnston SR, Lewis GR, Lewis Z, Macey MC, McCarthy A, McDonald JE, Mejia-Florez NL, O'Brien D, Orland C, Pautasso M, Reid WDK, Robinson HA, Wilson K, Sutherland WJ. Fifty important research questions in microbial ecology. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2017; 93:3098413. [PMID: 28379446 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fix044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2016] [Accepted: 03/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial ecology provides insights into the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of microbial communities underpinning every ecosystem on Earth. Microbial communities can now be investigated in unprecedented detail, although there is still a wealth of open questions to be tackled. Here we identify 50 research questions of fundamental importance to the science or application of microbial ecology, with the intention of summarising the field and bringing focus to new research avenues. Questions are categorised into seven themes: host-microbiome interactions; health and infectious diseases; human health and food security; microbial ecology in a changing world; environmental processes; functional diversity; and evolutionary processes. Many questions recognise that microbes provide an extraordinary array of functional diversity that can be harnessed to solve real-world problems. Our limited knowledge of spatial and temporal variation in microbial diversity and function is also reflected, as is the need to integrate micro- and macro-ecological concepts, and knowledge derived from studies with humans and other diverse organisms. Although not exhaustive, the questions presented are intended to stimulate discussion and provide focus for researchers, funders and policy makers, informing the future research agenda in microbial ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael E Antwis
- School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, The Crescent, Salford M5 4WT, UK
| | - Sarah M Griffiths
- School of Science and the Environment, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, Greater Manchester M1 5GD, UK
| | - Xavier A Harrison
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Paz Aranega-Bou
- School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, The Crescent, Salford M5 4WT, UK
| | - Andres Arce
- Silwood Park, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Aimee S Bettridge
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, South Glamorgan CF10 3XQ, UK
| | - Francesca L Brailsford
- School of Environment, Natural Resources and Geography, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2DG, UK
| | - Alexandre de Menezes
- School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, The Crescent, Salford M5 4WT, UK
| | - Andrew Devaynes
- Biosciences, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, Lancashire L39 4QP, UK
| | - Kristian M Forbes
- Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Ellen L Fry
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Ian Goodhead
- School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, The Crescent, Salford M5 4WT, UK
| | - Erin Haskell
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, North Yorkshire YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Chloe Heys
- Institute of Integrative Biology/School of Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, Merseyside L69 3BX, UK
| | - Chloe James
- School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, The Crescent, Salford M5 4WT, UK
| | - Sarah R Johnston
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, South Glamorgan CF10 3XQ, UK
| | - Gillian R Lewis
- Biosciences, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, Lancashire L39 4QP, UK
| | - Zenobia Lewis
- Institute of Integrative Biology/School of Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, Merseyside L69 3BX, UK
| | - Michael C Macey
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Alan McCarthy
- Institute of Integrative Biology/School of Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, Merseyside L69 3BX, UK
| | - James E McDonald
- School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2DG, UK
| | | | | | - Chloé Orland
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB2 1TN, UK
| | - Marco Pautasso
- Animal and Plant Health Unit, European Food Safety Authority, Parma 43126, Italy
| | - William D K Reid
- School of Biology, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Heather A Robinson
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Kenneth Wilson
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, Lancashire LA1 4YW, UK
| | - William J Sutherland
- Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB2 1TN, UK
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Menke S, Meier M, Mfune JKE, Melzheimer J, Wachter B, Sommer S. Effects of host traits and land-use changes on the gut microbiota of the Namibian black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas). FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2017; 93:4222788. [DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fix123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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Wasimuddin, Menke S, Melzheimer J, Thalwitzer S, Heinrich S, Wachter B, Sommer S. Gut microbiomes of free-ranging and captive Namibian cheetahs: Diversity, putative functions and occurrence of potential pathogens. Mol Ecol 2017; 26:5515-5527. [PMID: 28782134 DOI: 10.1111/mec.14278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Although the significance of the gut microbiome for host health is well acknowledged, the impact of host traits and environmental factors on the interindividual variation of gut microbiomes of wildlife species is not well understood. Such information is essential; however, as changes in the composition of these microbial communities beyond the natural range might cause dysbiosis leading to increased susceptibility to infections. We examined the potential influence of sex, age, genetic relatedness, spatial tactics and the environment on the natural range of the gut microbiome diversity in free-ranging Namibian cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus). We further explored the impact of an altered diet and frequent contact with roaming dogs and cats on the occurrence of potential bacterial pathogens by comparing free-ranging and captive individuals living under the same climatic conditions. Abundance patterns of particular bacterial genera differed between the sexes, and bacterial diversity and richness were higher in older (>3.5 years) than in younger individuals. In contrast, male spatial tactics, which probably influence host exposure to environmental bacteria, had no discernible effect on the gut microbiome. The profound resemblance of the gut microbiome of kin in contrast to nonkin suggests a predominant role of genetics in shaping bacterial community characteristics and functional similarities. We also detected various Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) assigned to potential pathogenic bacteria known to cause diseases in humans and wildlife species, such as Helicobacter spp., and Clostridium perfringens. Captive individuals did not differ in their microbial alpha diversity but exhibited higher abundances of OTUs related to potential pathogenic bacteria and shifts in disease-associated functional pathways. Our study emphasizes the need to integrate ecological, genetic and pathogenic aspects to improve our comprehension of the main drivers of natural variation and shifts in gut microbial communities possibly affecting host health. This knowledge is essential for in situ and ex situ conservation management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wasimuddin
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Sebastian Menke
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jörg Melzheimer
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Sonja Heinrich
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bettina Wachter
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Simone Sommer
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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Flechas SV, Blasco-Zúñiga A, Merino-Viteri A, Ramírez-Castañeda V, Rivera M, Amézquita A. The effect of captivity on the skin microbial symbionts in three Atelopus species from the lowlands of Colombia and Ecuador. PeerJ 2017; 5:e3594. [PMID: 28785515 PMCID: PMC5541920 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Many amphibian species are at risk of extinction in their natural habitats due to the presence of the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). For the most highly endangered species, captive assurance colonies have been established as an emergency measure to avoid extinction. Experimental research has suggested that symbiotic microorganisms in the skin of amphibians play a key role against Bd. While previous studies have addressed the effects of captivity on the cutaneous bacterial community, it remains poorly studied whether and how captive conditions affect the proportion of beneficial bacteria or their anti-Bd performance on amphibian hosts. In this study we sampled three amphibian species of the highly threatened genus, Atelopus, that remain in the wild but are also part of ex situ breeding programs in Colombia and Ecuador. Our goals were to (1) estimate the diversity of culturable bacterial assemblages in these three species of Atelopus, (2) describe the effect of captivity on the composition of skin microbiota, and (3) examine how captivity affects the bacterial ability to inhibit Bd growth. Using challenge assays we tested each bacterial isolate against Bd, and through sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, we identified species from thirteen genera of bacteria that inhibited Bd growth. Surprisingly, we did not detect a reduction in skin bacteria diversity in captive frogs. Moreover, we found that frogs in captivity still harbor bacteria with anti-Bd activity. Although the scope of our study is limited to a few species and to the culturable portion of the bacterial community, our results indicate that captive programs do not necessarily change bacterial communities of the toad skins in a way that impedes the control of Bd in case of an eventual reintroduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra V Flechas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Ailin Blasco-Zúñiga
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Citogenética y Biomoléculas de Anfibios (LICBA), Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina (CISeAL), Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Andrés Merino-Viteri
- Museo de Zoología (QCAZ), Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | | | - Miryan Rivera
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Citogenética y Biomoléculas de Anfibios (LICBA), Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina (CISeAL), Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Adolfo Amézquita
- Department of Biological Sciences, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
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Hernández-Gómez O, Hoverman JT, Williams RN. Cutaneous Microbial Community Variation across Populations of Eastern Hellbenders ( Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis). Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1379. [PMID: 28785252 PMCID: PMC5519570 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2017] [Accepted: 07/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Multicellular hosts maintain complex associations with microbial communities. While microbial communities often serve important functional roles for their hosts, our understanding of the local and regional processes that structure these communities remains limited. Metacommunity analyses provide a promising tool for investigating mechanisms shaping microbiome heterogeneity, which is essential for predicting functional variation between hosts. Using a metacommunity framework, we examined heterogeneity in the skin microbiome of the eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis). Hellbenders are broadly distributed throughout river systems in the eastern United States, but are present in specific environmental locations throughout their range. The large range of the species and history of population fragmentation suggest that local and regional processes contribute to the distribution of cutaneous symbiont diversity. Therefore, we characterized the skin and environmental bacterial communities at eight rivers throughout the range of the species. We observed variation among hellbender populations in skin microbial community diversity and proportion of shared operational taxonomic units (OTUs) between animal and river water communities. Among populations sampled, we noted significant clumped OTU turnover (i.e., Clementsian structure) resulting in unique cutaneous communities. In addition, we observed a significant positive correlation between skin community divergence and hellbender population genetic divergence. Host-population skin community dissimilarity did not correlate strongly with distance between sampling locations, indicating a weak spatial effect on the distribution of symbionts. These results suggest that species sorting mechanisms (i.e., local processes) structure local skin microbial communities in hellbenders. The variation in skin community composition observed among host populations foreshadows a similar pattern in important functional characteristics (e.g., resistance to dysbiosis). Future work should focus on investigating forces shaping microbiome structure in eastern hellbenders, examining functional variation among populations, and evaluating effectiveness of microbiome management recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Obed Hernández-Gómez
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, West LafayetteIN, United States
| | - Jason T Hoverman
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, West LafayetteIN, United States
| | - Rod N Williams
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, West LafayetteIN, United States
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77
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Colston TJ. Gut microbiome transmission in lizards. Mol Ecol 2017; 26:972-974. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.13987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J. Colston
- Biology Department; University of Mississippi; 214 Shoemaker Hall University MS 38677-1848 USA
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78
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Kohl KD, Brun A, Magallanes M, Brinkerhoff J, Laspiur A, Acosta JC, Caviedes-Vidal E, Bordenstein SR. Gut microbial ecology of lizards: insights into diversity in the wild, effects of captivity, variation across gut regions and transmission. Mol Ecol 2016; 26:1175-1189. [PMID: 27862531 DOI: 10.1111/mec.13921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2016] [Revised: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 11/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Animals maintain complex associations with a diverse microbiota living in their guts. Our understanding of the ecology of these associations is extremely limited in reptiles. Here, we report an in-depth study into the microbial ecology of gut communities in three syntopic and viviparous lizard species (two omnivores: Liolaemus parvus and Liolaemus ruibali and an herbivore: Phymaturus williamsi). Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing to inventory various bacterial communities, we elucidate four major findings: (i) closely related lizard species harbour distinct gut bacterial microbiota that remain distinguishable in captivity; a considerable portion of gut bacterial diversity (39.1%) in nature overlap with that found on plant material, (ii) captivity changes bacterial community composition, although host-specific communities are retained, (iii) faecal samples are largely representative of the hindgut bacterial community and thus represent acceptable sources for nondestructive sampling, and (iv) lizards born in captivity and separated from their mothers within 24 h shared 34.3% of their gut bacterial diversity with their mothers, suggestive of maternal or environmental transmission. Each of these findings represents the first time such a topic has been investigated in lizard hosts. Taken together, our findings provide a foundation for comparative analyses of the faecal and gastrointestinal microbiota of reptile hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin D Kohl
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, 465 21st Ave South, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA.,Laboratorio de Biología Integrativa, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, San Luis, 5700, Argentina.,Departamento de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, Chacabuco 917, San Luis, 5700, Argentina
| | - Antonio Brun
- Laboratorio de Biología Integrativa, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, San Luis, 5700, Argentina.,Departamento de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, Chacabuco 917, San Luis, 5700, Argentina
| | - Melisa Magallanes
- Laboratorio de Biología Integrativa, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, San Luis, 5700, Argentina.,Departamento de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, Chacabuco 917, San Luis, 5700, Argentina
| | - Joshua Brinkerhoff
- Laboratorio de Biología Integrativa, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, San Luis, 5700, Argentina.,Departamento de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, Chacabuco 917, San Luis, 5700, Argentina
| | - Alejandro Laspiur
- Centro de Investigaciones de la Geósfera y la Biósfera (CIGEOBIO-CONICET) - Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de San Juan, Av. José I. de la Roza 590 Oeste, J5402DCS, San Juan, Argentina
| | - Juan Carlos Acosta
- Centro de Investigaciones de la Geósfera y la Biósfera (CIGEOBIO-CONICET) - Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de San Juan, Av. José I. de la Roza 590 Oeste, J5402DCS, San Juan, Argentina
| | - Enrique Caviedes-Vidal
- Laboratorio de Biología Integrativa, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, San Luis, 5700, Argentina.,Departamento de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, Chacabuco 917, San Luis, 5700, Argentina
| | - Seth R Bordenstein
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, 465 21st Ave South, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA.,Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University, 465 21st Ave South, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA
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79
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Aslan CE, Sikes BA, Gedan KB. Research on mutualisms between native and non-native partners can contribute critical ecological insights. NEOBIOTA 2015. [DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.26.8837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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80
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Kohl KD, Luong K, Dearing MD. Validating the use of trap-collected feces for studying the gut microbiota of a small mammal (Neotoma lepida). J Mammal 2015. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyu008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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81
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Kohl KD, Skopec MM, Dearing MD. Captivity results in disparate loss of gut microbial diversity in closely related hosts. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2014; 2:cou009. [PMID: 27293630 PMCID: PMC4806740 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/cou009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2014] [Revised: 02/12/2014] [Accepted: 02/13/2014] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The gastrointestinal tracts of animals contain diverse communities of microbes that provide a number of services to their hosts. There is recent concern that these communities may be lost as animals enter captive breeding programmes, due to changes in diet and/or exposure to environmental sources. However, empirical evidence documenting the effects of captivity and captive birth on gut communities is lacking. We conducted three studies to advance our knowledge in this area. First, we compared changes in microbial diversity of the gut communities of two species of woodrats (Neotoma albigula, a dietary generalist, and Neotoma stephensi, which specializes on juniper) before and after 6-9 months in captivity. Second, we investigated whether reintroduction of the natural diet of N. stephensi could restore microbial diversity. Third, we compared the microbial communities between offspring born in captivity and their mothers. We found that the dietary specialist, N. stephensi, lost a greater proportion of its native gut microbiota and overall diversity in response to captivity compared with N. albigula. Addition of the natural diet increased the proportion of the original microbiota but did not restore overall diversity in N. stephensi. Offspring of N. albigula more closely resembled their mothers compared with offspring-mother pairs of N. stephensi. This research suggests that the microbiota of dietary specialists may be more susceptible to captivity. Furthermore, this work highlights the need for further studies investigating the mechanisms underlying how loss of microbial diversity may vary between hosts and what an acceptable level of diversity loss may be to a host. This knowledge will aid conservation biologists in designing captive breeding programmes effective at maintaining microbial diversity. Sequence Accession Numbers: NCBI's Sequence Read Archive (SRA) - SRP033616.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin D. Kohl
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
- Corresponding author: Department of Biology, University of Utah, 257 S. 1400 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA. Tel: +1 801 585 1324.
| | | | - M. Denise Dearing
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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Sutherland WJ, Aveling R, Brooks TM, Clout M, Dicks LV, Fellman L, Fleishman E, Gibbons DW, Keim B, Lickorish F, Monk KA, Mortimer D, Peck LS, Pretty J, Rockström J, Rodríguez JP, Smith RK, Spalding MD, Tonneijck FH, Watkinson AR. A horizon scan of global conservation issues for 2014. Trends Ecol Evol 2013; 29:15-22. [PMID: 24332318 PMCID: PMC3884124 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2013.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2013] [Revised: 11/08/2013] [Accepted: 11/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
This is the fifth in our annual series of horizon scans published in TREE. We identify 15 issues that we considered insufficiently known by the conservation community. These cover a wide range of issues. Four relate to climate change, two to invasives and two to disease spread. This exercise has been influential in the past.
This paper presents the output of our fifth annual horizon-scanning exercise, which aims to identify topics that increasingly may affect conservation of biological diversity, but have yet to be widely considered. A team of professional horizon scanners, researchers, practitioners, and a journalist identified 15 topics which were identified via an iterative, Delphi-like process. The 15 topics include a carbon market induced financial crash, rapid geographic expansion of macroalgal cultivation, genetic control of invasive species, probiotic therapy for amphibians, and an emerging snake fungal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J Sutherland
- Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, Cambridge University, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK.
| | - Rosalind Aveling
- Fauna & Flora International, 4th Floor, Jupiter House, Station Road, Cambridge, CB1 2JD, UK
| | - Thomas M Brooks
- International Union for Conservation of Nature, 28 rue Mauverney, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland
| | - Mick Clout
- Centre for Biodiversity and Biosecurity, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, PB 92019, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Lynn V Dicks
- Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, Cambridge University, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK
| | - Liz Fellman
- Natural Environment Research Council, Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon, SN2 1EU, UK
| | - Erica Fleishman
- John Muir Institute of the Environment, The Barn, One Shields Avenue, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - David W Gibbons
- Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, The Lodge, Sandy, SG19 2DL, UK
| | - Brandon Keim
- WIRED, 520 3rd Street, Third Floor at Bryant Street, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA
| | - Fiona Lickorish
- Centre for Environmental Risks and Futures, Cranfield University, Cranfield, MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Kathryn A Monk
- Natural Resources Wales, Cambria House, 29 Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 0TP, UK
| | - Diana Mortimer
- Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Monkstone House, City Road, Peterborough, PE1 1JY, UK
| | - Lloyd S Peck
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK
| | - Jules Pretty
- Essex Sustainability Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Johan Rockström
- Stockholm Resilience Center, Stockholm University, Kräftriket 2B, SE-106 19, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jon Paul Rodríguez
- Center for Ecology, Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Investigation (Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas - IVIC), Apdo. 20632, Caracas 1020-A, Venezuela
| | - Rebecca K Smith
- Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, Cambridge University, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK
| | - Mark D Spalding
- Global Marine Team, The Nature Conservancy, Department of Zoology, Cambridge University, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK
| | - Femke H Tonneijck
- Wetlands International, PO Box 471, 6700 AL Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Andrew R Watkinson
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
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83
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Sikes BA. Internalizing conservation through our own microbes. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2012; 26:198. [PMID: 22443126 DOI: 10.1111/j.1523-1739.2012.01834.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
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