1
|
Łopucki R, Sajnaga E, Kalwasińska A, Klich D, Kitowski I, Stępień-Pyśniak D, Christensen H. Green spaces contribute to structural resilience of the gut microbiota in urban mammals. Sci Rep 2024; 14:15508. [PMID: 38969657 PMCID: PMC11226671 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-66209-4] [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: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The gut microbiome of wild animals is subject to various environmental influences, including those associated with human-induced alterations to the environment. We investigated how the gut microbiota of a synurbic rodent species, the striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius), change in cities of varying sizes, seeking the urban microbiota signature for this species. Fecal samples for analysis were collected from animals living in non-urbanized areas and green spaces of different-sized cities (Poland). Metagenomic 16S rRNA gene sequencing and further bioinformatics analyses were conducted. Significant differences in the composition of gut microbiomes among the studied populations were found. However, the observed changes were dependent on local habitat conditions, without strong evidence of a correlation with the size of the urbanized area. The results suggest that ecological detachment from a more natural, non-urban environment does not automatically lead to the development of an "urban microbiome" model in the studied rodent. The exposure to the natural environment in green spaces may serve as a catalyst for microbiome transformations, providing a previously underestimated contribution to the maintenance of native gut microbial communities in urban mammals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rafał Łopucki
- Department of Biomedicine and Environmental Research, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Konstantynów 1J, 20-708, Lublin, Poland.
| | - Ewa Sajnaga
- Department of Biomedicine and Environmental Research, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Konstantynów 1J, 20-708, Lublin, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Kalwasińska
- Department of Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Lwowska 1, 87-100, Toruń, Poland
| | - Daniel Klich
- Department of Animal Genetics and Conservation, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ignacy Kitowski
- University College of Applied Sciences in Chełm, Pocztowa 54, 22-100, Chełm, Poland
| | - Dagmara Stępień-Pyśniak
- Department of Veterinary Prevention and Avian Diseases, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Głęboka 30, 20-612, Lublin, Poland
| | - Henrik Christensen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Stigbøjlen 4, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ali AH, Li S, Liu SQ, Gan RY, Li HB, Kamal-Eldin A, Ayyash M. Invited review: Camel milk and gut health-Understanding digestibility and the effect on gut microbiota. J Dairy Sci 2024; 107:2573-2585. [PMID: 37977446 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-23995] [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: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Camel milk (CM), known for its immune-regulatory, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and antidiabetic properties, is a natural healthy food. It is easily digestible due to the high levels of β-casein and diverse secreted antibodies, exhibiting superior antibacterial and antiviral activities compared with bovine milk. β-casein is less allergic and more digestible because it is more susceptible to digestive hydrolysis in the gut; therefore, higher levels of β-casein make CM advantageous for human health. Furthermore, antibodies help the digestive system by destroying the antigens, which are then overwhelmed and digested by macrophages. The connection between the gut microbiota and human health has gained substantial research attention, as it offers potential benefits and supports disease treatment. The gut microbiota has a vital role in regulating the host's health because it helps in several biological functions, such as protection against pathogens, immune function regulation, energy harvesting from digested foods, and reinforcement of digestive tract biochemical barriers. These functions could be affected by the changes in the gut microbiota profile, and gut microbiota differences are associated with several diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease, colon cancer, irritable bowel disorder, mental illness, allergy, and obesity. This review focuses on the digestibility of CM components, particularly protein and fat, and their influence on gut microbiota modulation. Notably, the hypoallergenic properties and small fat globules of CM contribute to its enhanced digestibility. Considering the rapid digestion of its proteins under conditions simulating infant gastrointestinal digestion, CM exhibits promise as a potential alternative for infant formula preparation due to the high β-/αs-casein ratio and protective proteins, in addition to the absence of β-lactoglobulin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abdelmoneim H Ali
- Department of Food Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44511, Egypt
| | - Siqi Li
- Riddet Institute, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Shao-Quan Liu
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117542, Singapore
| | - Ren-You Gan
- Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation (SIFBI), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 138669, Singapore
| | - Hua-Bin Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition, and Health, Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Afaf Kamal-Eldin
- Department of Food Science, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Al Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mutamed Ayyash
- Department of Food Science, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Al Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Shah T, Hou Y, Jiang J, Shah Z, Wang Y, Li Q, Xu X, Wang Y, Wang B, Xia X. Comparative analysis of the intestinal microbiome in Rattus norvegicus from different geographies. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1283453. [PMID: 38029126 PMCID: PMC10655115 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1283453] [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: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Rat species Rattus norvegicus, also known as the brown street rat, is the most abundant mammal after humans in urban areas, where they co-exist with humans and domestic animals. The reservoir role of R. norvegicus of zoonotic pathogens in cities among rodent-borne diseases that could endanger the lives of humans and other mammals. Therefore, understanding the normal microbiome of R. norvegicus is crucial for understanding and preventing zoonotic pathogen transmission to humans and animals. We investigated the intestinal microbiome of free-living R. norvegicus collected from the Ruili, Nujiang, and Lianhe regions of Yunnan, China, using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Proteobacteria, followed by Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes were abundant in the intestines of R. norvegicus; however, bacterial compositions varied significantly between samples from different locations. Following a similar trend, Gammaproteobacteria, Bacilli, and Clostridia were among the top bacterial classes in most intestinal samples. The situation differed slightly for the Lianhe and Nujiang samples, although Phyla Bacteroidota and Spirochaetota were most prevalent. The Alpha diversity, Chao1, and Simpson indexes revealed microbial richness among the R. norvegicus samples. A slight variation was observed among the samples collected from Ruili, Nujiang, and Lianhe. At species levels, several opportunistic and zoonotic bacterial pathogens, including Lactococcus garvieae, Uruburuella suis, Bartonella australis, Clostridium perfringens, Streptococcus azizii, Vibrio vulnificus, etc., were revealed in the R. norvegicus intestines, implying the need for a regular survey to monitor and control rodent populations. In conclusion, we explored diverse microbial communities in R. norvegicus intestines captured from different regions. Further, we identified several opportunistic and potential bacterial pathogens, which still need to be tested for their underlying pathogenesis. The findings of our current study should be considered a warning to the health authorities to implement rat control and surveillance strategies globally.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Taif Shah
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Yutong Hou
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Jinyong Jiang
- Yunnan International Joint Laboratory of Vector Biology and Control & Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Vector-Borne Diseases Control and Research of Yunnan Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Yunnan, China
| | - Zahir Shah
- College of Veterinary Sciences, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Yuhan Wang
- Research Institute of Forest Protection, Yunnan Academy of Forestry and Grassland, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Qian Li
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Xiang Xu
- Yunnan International Joint Laboratory of Vector Biology and Control & Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Vector-Borne Diseases Control and Research of Yunnan Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Yunnan, China
| | - Yixuan Wang
- Research Institute of Forest Protection, Yunnan Academy of Forestry and Grassland, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Binghui Wang
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Xueshan Xia
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- School of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ceylani T, Allahverdi H, Teker HT. Role of age-related plasma in the diversity of gut bacteria. Arch Gerontol Geriatr 2023; 111:105003. [PMID: 36965198 DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2023.105003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have demonstrated the efficacy of young blood plasma factors in reversing aging-related deformities. However, the impact of plasma exchange between young and old individuals on gut microbiota remains understudied. To investigate this, we evaluated the effects of plasma exchange between 5-week-old and 24-month-old rats on gut microbiota composition. In this study, old rats were administered 0.5 ml of young plasma, while young rats were administered 0.25 ml of old plasma daily for 30 days. Metagenome analysis was performed on the contents of the cecum after completing plasma transfer. Results showed that transferring young plasma to old rats significantly increased the alpha diversity indices (Shannon and Simpson values), while the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio decreased significantly. Conversely, transferring aged plasma to young rats led to a significant decrease in Shannon value and F/B ratio but no change in Simpson value. Plasma exchange also caused substantial changes in the top ten dominant genera and species found in the gut microbiota of young and old rats. After young blood plasma transfer, the dominant bacterial profile in the old gut microbiota shifted toward the bacterial profile found in the young control group. Notably, old plasma also altered the gut microbiota structure of young rats toward that of old rats. Our findings suggest that age-related changes in plasma play a crucial role in gut microbiota species diversity and their presence rates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Taha Ceylani
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Muş Alparslan University, Muş, Turkey; Department of Food Quality Control and Analysis, Muş Alparslan University, Muş, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Allahverdi
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Muş Alparslan University, Muş, Turkey
| | - Hikmet Taner Teker
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Ankara Medipol University, Ankara, Turkey.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Diaz J, Redford KH, Reese AT. Captive and urban environments are associated with distinct gut microbiota in deer mice ( Peromyscus maniculatus). Biol Lett 2023; 19:20220547. [PMID: 36883780 PMCID: PMC9994099 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2022.0547] [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: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Animals in captive and urban environments encounter evolutionarily novel conditions shaped by humans, such as altered diets, exposure to human-associated bacteria, and, potentially, medical interventions. Captive and urban environments have been demonstrated to affect gut microbial composition and diversity independently but have not yet been studied together. By sequencing the gut microbiota of deer mice living in laboratory, zoo, urban and natural settings, we sought to identify (i) whether captive deer mouse gut microbiota have similar composition regardless of husbandry conditions and (ii) whether captive and urban deer mice have similar gut microbial composition. We found that the gut microbiota of captive deer mice were distinct from those of free-living deer mice, indicating captivity has a consistent effect on the deer mouse microbiota regardless of location, lineage or husbandry conditions for a population. Additionally, the gut microbial composition, diversity and bacterial load of free-living urban mice were distinct from those of all other environment types. Together, these results indicate that gut microbiota associated with captivity and urbanization are likely not a shared response to increased exposure to humans but rather are shaped by environmental features intrinsic to captive and urban conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Diaz
- Department of Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Kent H Redford
- Archipelago Consulting, Portland, ME 04112, USA.,School of Marine and Environmental Programs, University of New England, Biddeford, ME 2350, USA
| | - Aspen T Reese
- Department of Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.,Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
de Cock M, Fonville M, de Vries A, Bossers A, van den Bogert B, Hakze-van der Honing R, Koets A, Sprong H, van der Poel W, Maas M. Screen the unforeseen: Microbiome-profiling for detection of zoonotic pathogens in wild rats. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:3881-3895. [PMID: 36404584 PMCID: PMC10099244 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Wild rats can host various zoonotic pathogens. Detection of these pathogens is commonly performed using molecular techniques targeting one or a few specific pathogens. However, this specific way of surveillance could lead to (emerging) zoonotic pathogens staying unnoticed. This problem may be overcome by using broader microbiome-profiling techniques, which enable broad screening of a sample's bacterial or viral composition. In this study, we investigated if 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing would be a suitable tool for the detection of zoonotic bacteria in wild rats. Moreover, we used virome-enriched (VirCapSeq) sequencing to detect zoonotic viruses. DNA from kidney samples of 147 wild brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) and 42 black rats (Rattus rattus) was used for 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing of the V3-V4 hypervariable region. Blocking primers were developed to reduce the amplification of rat host DNA. The kidney bacterial composition was studied using alpha- and beta-diversity metrics and statistically assessed using PERMANOVA and SIMPER analyses. From the sequencing data, 14 potentially zoonotic bacterial genera were identified from which the presence of zoonotic Leptospira spp. and Bartonella tribocorum was confirmed by (q)PCR or Sanger sequencing. In addition, more than 65% of all samples were dominated (>50% reads) by one of three bacterial taxa: Streptococcus (n = 59), Mycoplasma (n = 39) and Leptospira (n = 25). These taxa also showed the highest contribution to the observed differences in beta diversity. VirCapSeq sequencing in rat liver samples detected the potentially zoonotic rat hepatitis E virus in three rats. Although 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was limited in its capacity for species level identifications and can be more difficult to interpret due to the influence of contaminating sequences in these low microbial biomass samples, we believe it has potential to be a suitable pre-screening method in the future to get a better overview of potentially zoonotic bacteria that are circulating in wildlife.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marieke de Cock
- Centre for Infectious Diseases Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Manoj Fonville
- Centre for Infectious Diseases Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Ankje de Vries
- Centre for Infectious Diseases Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Alex Bossers
- Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR), Lelystad, The Netherlands.,Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Ad Koets
- Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR), Lelystad, The Netherlands.,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Infectious Diseases Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Wim van der Poel
- Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR), Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - Miriam Maas
- Centre for Infectious Diseases Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Anders JL, Mychajliw AM, Moustafa MAM, Mohamed WMA, Hayakawa T, Nakao R, Koizumi I. Dietary niche breadth influences the effects of urbanization on the gut microbiota of sympatric rodents. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9216. [PMID: 36177145 PMCID: PMC9463044 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Cities are among the most extreme forms of anthropogenic ecosystem modification, and urbanization processes exert profound effects on animal populations through multiple ecological pathways. Increased access to human‐associated food items may alter species' foraging behavior and diet, in turn modifying the normal microbial community of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), ultimately impacting their health. It is crucial we understand the role of dietary niche breadth and the resulting shift in the gut microbiota as urban animals navigate novel dietary resources. We combined stable isotope analysis of hair and microbiome analysis of four gut regions across the GIT to investigate the effects of urbanization on the diet and gut microbiota of two sympatric species of rodents with different dietary niches: the omnivorous large Japanese field mouse (Apodemus speciosus) and the relatively more herbivorous gray red‐backed vole (Myodes rufocanus). Both species exhibited an expanded dietary niche width within the urban areas potentially attributable to novel anthropogenic foods and altered resource availability. We detected a dietary shift in which urban A. speciosus consumed more terrestrial animal protein and M. rufocanus more plant leaves and stems. Such changes in resource use may be associated with an altered gut microbial community structure. There was an increased abundance of the presumably probiotic Lactobacillus in the small intestine of urban A. speciosus and potentially pathogenic Helicobacter in the colon of M. rufocanus. Together, these results suggest that even taxonomically similar species may exhibit divergent responses to urbanization with consequences for the gut microbiota and broader ecological interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jason L Anders
- Graduate School of Environmental Science Hokkaido University Sapporo Japan.,Department of Biosciences, Center for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES) University of Oslo Oslo Norway
| | - Alexis M Mychajliw
- Department of Biology Middlebury College Middlebury Vermont USA.,Department of Environmental Studies Middlebury College Middlebury Vermont USA
| | - Mohamed Abdallah Mohamed Moustafa
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases Hokkaido University Sapporo Japan.,Department of Animal Medicine South Valley University Qena Egypt.,Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Newark New Jersey USA
| | - Wessam Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases Hokkaido University Sapporo Japan
| | - Takashi Hayakawa
- Faculty of Environmental Earth Science Hokkaido University Sapporo Japan.,Japan Monkey Center Inuyama Japan
| | - Ryo Nakao
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases Hokkaido University Sapporo Japan
| | - Itsuro Koizumi
- Faculty of Environmental Earth Science Hokkaido University Sapporo Japan
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Effects of Different Nutritional Zinc Forms on the Proliferation of Beneficial Commensal Microorganisms. MICROBIOLOGY RESEARCH 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/microbiolres13030034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This study compared the minimal inhibition concentrations (MICs) and their effects on the growth kinetics of seven different types of zinc (Zn) compounds and Na2EDTA in the case of three typical commensal beneficial microorganisms (Bacillus subtilis, Lactococcus lactis, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae). The seven Zn compounds included ZnSO4, four Zn–amino acid chelates, and two Zn–EDTA complexes. Both MICs and growth kinetic parameters indicated that different microorganisms show different sensitivities; for example, B. subtilis, L. lactis, and S. cerevisiae were most sensitive to ZnSO4, Na2EDTA, and Zn(NH3)2(Gly)2, respectively. Both ZnEDTA and Zn(NH3)2(Lys)2 improved the growth rate of all beneficial commensal intestinal microorganisms at low concentrations (5–10 mg/L) and showed low toxicity towards all tested strains. At higher concentrations (100–500 mg/L), all compounds decreased the growth rate and increased the lag phase. In conclusion, both growth kinetic parameters and MICs tested effectively measured the inhibitory effects of the test materials; however, growth kinetics provides a more detailed picture of the concentration-dependent effects and those on the mechanisms of microbial growth inhibition.
Collapse
|
9
|
Kohl KD, Dieppa-Colón E, Goyco-Blas J, Peralta-Martínez K, Scafidi L, Shah S, Zawacki E, Barts N, Ahn Y, Hedayati S, Secor SM, Rowe MP. Gut Microbial Ecology of Five Species of Sympatric Desert Rodents in Relation to Herbivorous and Insectivorous Feeding Strategies. Integr Comp Biol 2022; 62:237-251. [PMID: 35587374 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icac045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The gut microbial communities of mammals provide numerous benefits to their hosts. However, given the recent development of the microbiome field, we still lack a thorough understanding of the variety of ecological and evolutionary factors that structure these communities across species. Metabarcoding is a powerful technique that allows for multiple microbial ecology questions to be investigated simultaneously. Here, we employed DNA metabarcoding techniques, predictive metagenomics, and culture-dependent techniques to inventory the gut microbial communities of several species of rodent collected from the same environment that employ different natural feeding strategies [granivorous pocket mice (Chaetodipus penicillatus); granivorous kangaroo rats (Dipodomys merriami); herbivorous woodrats (Neotoma albigula); omnivorous cactus mice (Peromyscus eremicus), and insectivorous grasshopper mice (Onychomys torridus)]. Of particular interest were shifts in gut microbial communities in rodent species with herbivorous and insectivorous diets, given the high amounts of indigestible fibers and chitinous exoskeleton in these diets, respectively. We found that herbivorous woodrats harbored the greatest microbial diversity. Granivorous pocket mice and kangaroo rats had the highest abundances of the genus Ruminococcus and highest predicted abundances of genes related to the digestion of fiber, representing potential adaptations in these species to the fiber content of seeds and the limitations to digestion given their small body size. Insectivorous grasshopper mice exhibited the greatest inter-individual variation in the membership of their microbiomes, and also exhibited the highest predicted abundances of chitin-degrading genes. Culture-based approaches identified 178 microbial isolates (primarily Bacillus and Enterococcus) capable of degrading cellulose and chitin. We observed several instances of strain-level diversity in these metabolic capabilities across isolates, somewhat highlighting the limitations and hidden diversity underlying DNA metabarcoding techniques. However, these methods offer power in allowing the investigation of several questions concurrently, thus enhancing our understanding of gut microbial ecology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin D Kohl
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA 15260
| | - Etan Dieppa-Colón
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA 15260.,Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison WI 53706
| | - José Goyco-Blas
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA 15260
| | | | - Luke Scafidi
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA 15260
| | - Sarth Shah
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA 15260
| | - Emma Zawacki
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA 15260
| | - Nick Barts
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA 15260
| | - Young Ahn
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA 15260
| | - Stefanie Hedayati
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA 15260
| | - Stephen M Secor
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa AL 35487
| | - Matthew P Rowe
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Oklahoma, Norman OK 73019
| |
Collapse
|