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Rojas CA, Marks SL, Borras E, Lesea H, McCartney MM, Coil DA, Davis CE, Eisen JA. Characterization of the microbiome and volatile compounds in anal gland secretions from domestic cats (Felis catus) using metagenomics and metabolomics. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19382. [PMID: 37938241 PMCID: PMC10632438 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45997-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Many mammals rely on volatile organic chemical compounds (VOCs) produced by bacteria for their communication and behavior, though little is known about the exact molecular mechanisms or bacterial species that are responsible. We used metagenomic sequencing, mass-spectrometry based metabolomics, and culturing to profile the microbial and volatile chemical constituents of anal gland secretions in twenty-three domestic cats (Felis catus), in attempts to identify organisms potentially involved in host odor production. We found that the anal gland microbiome was dominated by bacteria in the genera Corynebacterium, Bacteroides, Proteus, Lactobacillus, and Streptococcus, and showed striking variation among individual cats. Microbiome profiles also varied with host age and obesity. Metabolites such as fatty-acids, ketones, aldehydes and alcohols were detected in glandular secretions. Overall, microbiome and metabolome profiles were modestly correlated (r = 0.17), indicating that a relationship exists between the bacteria in the gland and the metabolites produced in the gland. Functional analyses revealed the presence of genes predicted to code for enzymes involved in VOC metabolism such as dehydrogenases, reductases, and decarboxylases. From metagenomic data, we generated 85 high-quality metagenome assembled genomes (MAGs). Of importance were four MAGs classified as Corynebacterium frankenforstense, Proteus mirabilis, Lactobacillus johnsonii, and Bacteroides fragilis. They represent strong candidates for further investigation of the mechanisms of volatile synthesis and scent production in the mammalian anal gland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connie A Rojas
- Genome Center, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
| | - Stanley L Marks
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, University of California-Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Eva Borras
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- UC Davis Lung Center, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Hira Lesea
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Mitchell M McCartney
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- UC Davis Lung Center, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- VA Northern California Health Care System, Mather, CA, USA
| | - David A Coil
- Genome Center, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Cristina E Davis
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- UC Davis Lung Center, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- VA Northern California Health Care System, Mather, CA, USA
| | - Jonathan A Eisen
- Genome Center, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
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2
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Brown AO, Green PJ, Frankham GJ, Stuart BH, Ueland M. Insights into the Effects of Violating Statistical Assumptions for Dimensionality Reduction for Chemical "-omics" Data with Multiple Explanatory Variables. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:22042-22054. [PMID: 37360494 PMCID: PMC10286096 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c01613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Biological volatilome analysis is inherently complex due to the considerable number of compounds (i.e., dimensions) and differences in peak areas by orders of magnitude, between and within compounds found within datasets. Traditional volatilome analysis relies on dimensionality reduction techniques which aid in the selection of compounds that are considered relevant to respective research questions prior to further analysis. Currently, compounds of interest are identified using either supervised or unsupervised statistical methods which assume the data residuals are normally distributed and exhibit linearity. However, biological data often violate the statistical assumptions of these models related to normality and the presence of multiple explanatory variables which are innate to biological samples. In an attempt to address deviations from normality, volatilome data can be log transformed. However, whether the effects of each assessed variable are additive or multiplicative should be considered prior to transformation, as this will impact the effect of each variable on the data. If assumptions of normality and variable effects are not investigated prior to dimensionality reduction, ineffective or erroneous compound dimensionality reduction can impact downstream analyses. It is the aim of this manuscript to assess the impact of single and multivariable statistical models with and without the log transformation to volatilome dimensionality reduction prior to any supervised or unsupervised classification analysis. As a proof of concept, Shingleback lizard (Tiliqua rugosa) volatilomes were collected across their species distribution and from captivity and were assessed. Shingleback volatilomes are suspected to be influenced by multiple explanatory variables related to habitat (Bioregion), sex, parasite presence, total body volume, and captive status. This work determined that the exclusion of relevant multiple explanatory variables from analysis overestimates the effect of Bioregion and the identification of significant compounds. The log transformation increased the number of compounds that were identified as significant, as did analyses that assumed that residuals were normally distributed. Among the methods considered in this work, the most conservative form of dimensionality reduction was achieved through analyzing untransformed data using Monte Carlo tests with multiple explanatory variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber O. Brown
- Australian
Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, Sydney 2001, NSW, Australia
- Centre
for Forensic Science, University of Technology
Sydney, Ultimo 2007, NSW, Australia
| | - Peter J. Green
- University
of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1UG, U.K.
- University
of Technology Sydney, Ultimo 2007, NSW, Australia
| | - Greta J. Frankham
- Australian
Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, Sydney 2001, NSW, Australia
- Centre
for Forensic Science, University of Technology
Sydney, Ultimo 2007, NSW, Australia
| | - Barbara H. Stuart
- Australian
Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, Sydney 2001, NSW, Australia
| | - Maiken Ueland
- Australian
Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, Sydney 2001, NSW, Australia
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3
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Rojas CA, Marks SL, Borras E, Lesea H, McCartney MM, Coil D, Davis CE, Eisen JA. Characterization of the microbiome and volatile compounds in anal gland secretions from domestic cats (Felis catus) using metagenomics and metabolomics. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2883555. [PMID: 37214811 PMCID: PMC10197813 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2883555/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Animals rely on volatile chemical compounds for their communication and behavior. Many of these compounds are sequestered in endocrine and exocrine glands and are synthesized by anaerobic microbes. While the volatile organic compound (VOC) or microbiome composition of glandular secretions has been investigated in several mammalian species, few have linked specific bacterial taxa to the production of volatiles or to specific microbial gene pathways. Here, we use metagenomic sequencing, mass-spectrometry based metabolomics, and culturing to profile the microbial and volatile chemical constituents of anal gland secretions in twenty-three domestic cats (Felis catus), in attempts to identify organisms potentially involved in host odor production. We found that the anal gland microbiome was dominated by bacteria in the genera Corynebacterium, Bacteroides, Proteus, Lactobacillus, and Streptococcus, and showed striking variation among individual cats. Microbiome profiles also varied with host age and obesity. Metabolites such as fatty-acids, ketones, aldehydes and alcohols were detected in glandular secretions. Overall, microbiome and metabolome profiles were modestly correlated (r=0.17), indicating that a relationship exists between the bacteria in the gland and the metabolites produced in the gland. Functional analyses revealed the presence of genes predicted to code for enzymes involved in VOC metabolism such as dehydrogenases, reductases, and decarboxylases. From metagenomic data, we generated 85 high-quality metagenome assembled genomes (MAGs). Of these, four were inferred to have high relative abundance in metagenome profiles and had close relatives that were recovered as cultured isolates. These four MAGs were classified as Corynebacterium frankenforstense, Proteus mirabilis, Lactobacillus johnsonii, and Bacteroides fragilis. They represent strong candidates for further investigation of the mechanisms of volatile synthesis and scent production in the mammalian anal gland.
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4
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Brown bear skin-borne secretions display evidence of individuality and age-sex variation. Sci Rep 2023; 13:3163. [PMID: 36823208 PMCID: PMC9950453 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29479-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Scent originates from excretions and secretions, and its chemical complexity in mammals translates into a diverse mode of signalling. Identifying how information is encoded can help to establish the mechanisms of olfactory communication and the use of odours as chemical signals. Building upon existing behavioural and histological literature, we examined the chemical profile of secretions used for scent marking by a solitary, non-territorial carnivore, the brown bear (Ursus arctos). We investigated the incidence, abundance, and uniqueness of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from cutaneous glandular secretions of 12 wild brown bears collected during late and post-breeding season, and assessed whether age-sex class, body site, and individual identity explained profile variation. VOC profiles varied in the average number of compounds, compound incidence, and compound abundance by age-sex class and individual identity (when individuals were grouped by sex), but not by body site. Mature males differed from other age-sex classes, secreting fewer compounds on average with the least variance between individuals. Compound uniqueness varied by body site and age for both males and females and across individuals. Our results indicate that brown bear skin-borne secretions may facilitate age-sex class and individual recognition, which can contribute towards further understanding of mating systems and social behaviour.
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DE Almeida LR, Amaral Alves M, Mastella AMO, Garrett R, Pereira MJR. Neotropical mustelids: fecal metabolome diversity and its potential for taxonomic discrimination. Integr Zool 2022; 18:518-529. [PMID: 35275446 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Chemical profiles of non-invasive biological material, such as feces, have great potential to study elusive animals or those with low population densities. Here, we use a metabolomic approach to evaluate Neotropical mustelids as a biological model to describe the diversity of the metabolites present in fecal samples, as well as to evaluate the potential of chemical profiles for taxonomic discrimination. We collected fecal samples from captive individuals of five species of mustelids occurring in Brazil and analyzed them by liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). Over 200 compounds have been annotated; "bile acids, alcohols and derivatives" was the most expressive class in the metabolome of all the species. We successfully discriminated three taxonomic groups: 1 - Tayra (Eira barbara); 2 - otters (Lontra longicaudis and Pteronura brasiliensis; 1); and 3 - grisons (Galictis vittata and Galictis cuja). Several compounds seemed to be associated with food intake and the digestive process, while others were found for the first time in Neotropical mustelids. We concluded that mustelids show high metabolome diversity and that species-specific identification through metabolomic profiles is possible, thus contributing to the development and implementation of additional non-invasive approaches in the study of mustelids. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lana Resende DE Almeida
- Bird and Mammal Evolution, Systematics and Ecology Lab, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Marina Amaral Alves
- Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Chemistry Institute, Metabolomics Laboratory (LabMeta - LADETEC/IQ - UFRJ), Avenida Horácio Macedo, 1281 - Pólo de Química - Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, ZIP CODE, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-598, Brazil.,Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Walter Mors Institute of Research on Natural Products, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-599, Brazil
| | - Ana Maria Obino Mastella
- Bird and Mammal Evolution, Systematics and Ecology Lab, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Rafael Garrett
- Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Chemistry Institute, Metabolomics Laboratory (LabMeta - LADETEC/IQ - UFRJ), Avenida Horácio Macedo, 1281 - Pólo de Química - Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, ZIP CODE, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-598, Brazil
| | - Maria João Ramos Pereira
- Bird and Mammal Evolution, Systematics and Ecology Lab, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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6
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Soil δ 13C and δ 15N baselines clarify biogeographic heterogeneity in isotopic discrimination of European badgers (Meles meles). Sci Rep 2022; 12:200. [PMID: 34997035 PMCID: PMC8741785 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-04011-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Isotopic techniques have been used to study phenomena in the geological, environmental, and ecological sciences. For example, isotopic values of multiple elements elucidate the pathways energy and nutrients take in the environment. Isoscapes interpolate isotopic values across a geographical surface and are used to study environmental processes in space and time. Thus, isoscapes can reveal ecological shifts at local scales, and show distribution thresholds in the wider environment at the macro-scale. This study demonstrates a further application of isoscapes, using soil isoscapes of 13C/12C and 15N/14N as an environmental baseline, to understand variation in trophic ecology across a population of Eurasian badgers (Meles meles) at a regional scale. The use of soil isoscapes reduced error, and elevated the statistical signal, where aggregated badger hairs were used, and where individuals were identified using genetic microarray analysis. Stable isotope values were affected by land-use type, elevation, and meteorology. Badgers in lowland habitats had diets richer in protein and were adversely affected by poor weather conditions in all land classes. It is concluded that soil isoscapes are an effective way of reducing confounding biases in macroscale, isotopic studies. The method elucidated variation in the trophic and spatial ecology of economically important taxa at a landscape level. These results have implications for the management of badgers and other carnivores with omnivorous tendencies in heterogeneous landscapes.
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7
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Comizzoli P, Power ML, Bornbusch SL, Muletz-Wolz CR. Interactions between reproductive biology and microbiomes in wild animal species. Anim Microbiome 2021; 3:87. [PMID: 34949226 PMCID: PMC8697499 DOI: 10.1186/s42523-021-00156-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Many parts of the animal body harbor microbial communities, known as animal-associated microbiomes, that affect the regulation of physiological functions. Studies in human and animal models have demonstrated that the reproductive biology and such microbiomes also interact. However, this concept is poorly studied in wild animal species and little is known about the implications to fertility, parental/offspring health, and survival in natural habitats. The objective of this review is to (1) specify the interactions between animals' reproductive biology, including reproductive signaling, pregnancy, and offspring development, and their microbiomes, with an emphasis on wild species and (2) identify important research gaps as well as areas for further studies. While microbiomes present in the reproductive tract play the most direct role, other bodily microbiomes may also contribute to facilitating reproduction. In fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, endogenous processes related to the host physiology and behavior (visual and olfactory reproductive signals, copulation) can both influence and be influenced by the structure and function of microbial communities. In addition, exposures to maternal microbiomes in mammals (through vagina, skin, and milk) shape the offspring microbiomes, which, in turn, affects health later in life. Importantly, for all wild animal species, host-associated microbiomes are also influenced by environmental variations. There is still limited literature on wild animals compared to the large body of research on model species and humans. However, the few studies in wild species clearly highlight the necessity of increased research in rare and endangered animals to optimize conservation efforts in situ and ex situ. Thus, the link between microbiomes and reproduction is an emerging and critical component in wild animal conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Comizzoli
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Veterinary Hospital MRC5502, PO Box 37012, Washington, DC 20013 USA
| | - Michael L. Power
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Veterinary Hospital MRC5502, PO Box 37012, Washington, DC 20013 USA
| | - Sally L. Bornbusch
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Veterinary Hospital MRC5502, PO Box 37012, Washington, DC 20013 USA
| | - Carly R. Muletz-Wolz
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Veterinary Hospital MRC5502, PO Box 37012, Washington, DC 20013 USA
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8
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Ortiz-Jiménez L, Barja I. Surrounded by challenges: The simulated presence of competitors and predators modulates perianal secretion marking behaviour in the European mink (Mustela lutreola). Behav Processes 2021; 193:104508. [PMID: 34551363 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2021.104508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Animals face a variety of daily challenges to their reproduction and survival that can detect in time through to the environment cues. By using an individual focal sampling, we evaluated the variations in the time devoted to the perianal secretion marking behaviour (PSMB) of European mink when they were exposed to the simulated presence of conspecifics and two potential predators. Model results indicated that males and adult individuals dedicated more time to PSMB than females and subadults. The presence of conspecifics increased PSMB time only in adult and males, probably as an intrasexual territorial competence response. The heightened decrease in PSMB time in presence of a dog suggests an innate response due to the detection of volatile substances from faeces of carnivorous. In addition, simulated conspecific presence increased PSMB in absence of odours (control) and with owl faeces. However, when facing dog faeces, the simulated conspecific presence had no effects on PSMB. Thus, minks seem to prioritize the imminent risk of predation to avoid being detected. The stimulation of PSMB in captivity by simulated cues from conspecifics and potential predators could be useful to facilitate the reintroduction of individuals into nature, as well as their adaptation and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Isabel Barja
- Department of Biology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain; Biodiversity and Global Change Research Center (CIBC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain
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9
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Mullineaux ST, Redpath SHA, Ogle N, McKinley JM, Marks NJ, Scantlebury DM, Doherty R. Potentially toxic element accumulation in badgers (Meles meles): a compositional approach. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 762:143087. [PMID: 33131870 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) in Badgers (Meles meles), otherwise known as heavy metals, are unique amongst environmental pollutants occurring, both naturally and anthropogenically. PTEs have a broad range of negative health and environmental effects, therefore identifying their sources and pathways through the environment is imperative for public health policy. This is difficult in terrestrial systems due to the compositional nature of soil geochemistry. In this study, a compositional statistical approach was used to identify how PTEs accumulate in a terrestrial carnivorous mammal, Eurasian Badgers (Meles meles). Compositional principal component analysis (PCA) was used on geochemical data from the Tellus survey, the soil baseline and badger tissue data to map geo-spatial patterns of PTEs and show accumulative trends measured in time. Mapping PCs identified distinct regions of PTE presence in soil and PTE accumulation in badger tissues in Northern Ireland. PTEs were most elevated in liver, kidney and then muscle tissues. Liver and kidney showed the most distinct geo-spatial patterns of accumulation and muscle was the most depleted. PC1 and 2 for each type were modelled using generalised additive mixed models (GAMM) to identify trends through time. PC1 for the liver and muscle were associated with rainfall and ∂N15 in the liver, showing a link to diet and a bioaccumulation pathway, whilst PC2 for both tissues was associated with mean temperature, showing a link to seasonal activity and a bioaccessibility pathway. However, in kidney tissue these trends are reversed and PC1 was associated with bioaccessibility and PC2 with bioaccumulation. Combined these techniques can elucidate both geo-spatial trends in PTEs and the mechanisms by which they move in environment and in future may be an effective tool for assessing PTE bioavailability in environmental health surveys.
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Affiliation(s)
- S T Mullineaux
- School of Biological Sciences, 1-33 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast BT9 5AJ, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
| | - S H A Redpath
- School of Biological Sciences, 1-33 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast BT9 5AJ, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - N Ogle
- School of Natural and Built Environment, David Keir Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5AG, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - J M McKinley
- School of Natural and Built Environment, Elmwood Avenue, Belfast BT7 1NN, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - N J Marks
- School of Biological Sciences, 1-33 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast BT9 5AJ, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - D M Scantlebury
- School of Biological Sciences, 1-33 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast BT9 5AJ, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - R Doherty
- School of Natural and Built Environment, David Keir Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5AG, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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10
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Sarkar A, Harty S, Johnson KVA, Moeller AH, Carmody RN, Lehto SM, Erdman SE, Dunbar RIM, Burnet PWJ. The role of the microbiome in the neurobiology of social behaviour. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2020; 95:1131-1166. [PMID: 32383208 PMCID: PMC10040264 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Microbes colonise all multicellular life, and the gut microbiome has been shown to influence a range of host physiological and behavioural phenotypes. One of the most intriguing and least understood of these influences lies in the domain of the microbiome's interactions with host social behaviour, with new evidence revealing that the gut microbiome makes important contributions to animal sociality. However, little is known about the biological processes through which the microbiome might influence host social behaviour. Here, we synthesise evidence of the gut microbiome's interactions with various aspects of host sociality, including sociability, social cognition, social stress, and autism. We discuss evidence of microbial associations with the most likely physiological mediators of animal social interaction. These include the structure and function of regions of the 'social' brain (the amygdala, the prefrontal cortex, and the hippocampus) and the regulation of 'social' signalling molecules (glucocorticoids including corticosterone and cortisol, sex hormones including testosterone, oestrogens, and progestogens, neuropeptide hormones such as oxytocin and arginine vasopressin, and monoamine neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine). We also discuss microbiome-associated host genetic and epigenetic processes relevant to social behaviour. We then review research on microbial interactions with olfaction in insects and mammals, which contribute to social signalling and communication. Following these discussions, we examine evidence of microbial associations with emotion and social behaviour in humans, focussing on psychobiotic studies, microbe-depression correlations, early human development, autism, and issues of statistical power, replication, and causality. We analyse how the putative physiological mediators of the microbiome-sociality connection may be investigated, and discuss issues relating to the interpretation of results. We also suggest that other candidate molecules should be studied, insofar as they exert effects on social behaviour and are known to interact with the microbiome. Finally, we consider different models of the sequence of microbial effects on host physiological development, and how these may contribute to host social behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amar Sarkar
- Trinity College, Trinity Street, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1TQ, U.K.,Leverhulme Centre for Human Evolutionary Studies, Department of Archaeology, Fitzwilliam Street, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1QH, U.K
| | - Siobhán Harty
- Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Dublin, Ireland.,School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Katerina V-A Johnson
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6GG, U.K.,Pembroke College, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 1DW, U.K.,Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7JX, U.K
| | - Andrew H Moeller
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Corson Hall, Tower Road, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, U.S.A
| | - Rachel N Carmody
- Department of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Peabody Museum, 11 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138, USA
| | - Soili M Lehto
- Psychiatry, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, PL 590, FI-00029, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 6, FI-00014, Helsinki, Finland.,Institute of Clinical Medicine/Psychiatry, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Susan E Erdman
- Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Building 16-825, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139, U.S.A
| | - Robin I M Dunbar
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6GG, U.K
| | - Philip W J Burnet
- Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7JX, U.K
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11
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Charlton BD, Newman C, Macdonald DW, Buesching CD. Male European badger churrs: insights into call function and motivational basis. Mamm Biol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-020-00033-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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12
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Müller C, Caspers BA, Gadau J, Kaiser S. The Power of Infochemicals in Mediating Individualized Niches. Trends Ecol Evol 2020; 35:981-989. [PMID: 32723498 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2020.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Infochemicals, including hormones, pheromones, and allelochemicals, play a central role in mediating information and shaping interactions within and between individuals. Due to their high plasticity, infochemicals are predestined mediators in facilitating individualized niches of organisms. Only recently it has become clear that individual differences are essential to understand how and why individuals realize a tiny subset of the species' niche. Moreover, individual differences have a central role in both ecological adjustment and evolutionary adaptation in a rapidly changing world. Here we highlight that infochemicals act as key signals or cues and empower the realization of the individualized niche through three proposed processes: niche choice, niche conformance, and niche construction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Müller
- Chemical Ecology, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany.
| | - Barbara A Caspers
- Behavioral Ecology, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Jürgen Gadau
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Hüfferstraße 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Sylvia Kaiser
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Badestr. 13, 48149 Münster, Germany
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