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Krueger SK, Williams SC, O’Keefe JM, Zirkle GA, Haase CG. White-nose syndrome, winter duration, and pre-hibernation climate impact abundance of reproductive female bats. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0298515. [PMID: 38669238 PMCID: PMC11051637 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
White-nose syndrome (WNS) is an infectious disease that disrupts hibernation in bats, leading to premature exhaustion of fat stores. Though we know WNS does impact reproduction in hibernating female bats, we are unsure how these impacts are exacerbated by local climate factors. We compiled data from four southeastern U.S. states and used generalized linear mixed effects models to compare effects of WNS, pre-hibernation climate variables, and winter duration on the number of reproductive females in species across the range of WNS susceptibility. We predicted we would see a decline in the number of reproductive females in WNS-susceptible species, with the effect exaggerated by longer winter durations and pre-hibernation climate variables that lead to reductions in foraging. We found that the number of reproductive females in WNS-susceptible species was positively correlated with pre-hibernation local climate conditions conducive to foraging; however, WNS-susceptible species experienced an overall decline with the presence of WNS and as winter duration increased. Our long-term dataset provides evidence that pre-hibernation climate, specifically favorable summer weather conditions for foraging, greatly influences the reproduction, regardless of WNS status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K. Krueger
- Department of Biology, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Sarah C. Williams
- Environmental Division, US Army Fort Campbell, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Joy M. O’Keefe
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Gene A. Zirkle
- Environmental Division, US Army Fort Campbell, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Catherine G. Haase
- Department of Biology, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, Tennessee, United States of America
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2
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Whiting-Fawcett F, Blomberg AS, Troitsky T, Meierhofer MB, Field KA, Puechmaille SJ, Lilley TM. A Palearctic view of a bat fungal disease. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2024:e14265. [PMID: 38616727 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
The fungal infection causing white-nose disease in hibernating bats in North America has resulted in dramatic population declines of affected species, since the introduction of the causative agent Pseudogymnoascus destructans. The fungus is native to the Palearctic, where it also infects several bat species, yet rarely causes severe pathology or the death of the host. Pseudogymnoascus destructans infects bats during hibernation by invading and digesting the skin tissue, resulting in the disruption of torpor patterns and consequent emaciation. Relations among pathogen, host, and environment are complex, and individuals, populations, and species respond to the fungal pathogen in different ways. For example, the Nearctic Myotis lucifugus responds to infection by mounting a robust immune response, leading to immunopathology often contributing to mortality. In contrast, the Palearctic M. myotis shows no significant immunological response to infection. This lack of a strong response, resulting from the long coevolution between the hosts and the pathogen in the pathogen's native range, likely contributes to survival in tolerant species. After more than 15 years since the initial introduction of the fungus to North America, some of the affected populations are showing signs of recovery, suggesting that the fungus, hosts, or both are undergoing processes that may eventually lead to coexistence. The suggested or implemented management methods of the disease in North America have encompassed, for example, the use of probiotics and fungicides, vaccinations, and modifying the environmental conditions of the hibernation sites to limit the growth of the pathogen, intensity of infection, or the hosts' responses to it. Based on current knowledge from Eurasia, policy makers and conservation managers should refrain from disrupting the ongoing evolutionary processes and adopt a holistic approach to managing the epizootic.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Whiting-Fawcett
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- BatLab Finland, Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - A S Blomberg
- BatLab Finland, Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - T Troitsky
- BatLab Finland, Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - M B Meierhofer
- BatLab Finland, Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - K A Field
- Department of Biology, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - S J Puechmaille
- Institut des Sciences de l'Évolution Montpellier (ISEM), University of Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier, France
- Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
| | - T M Lilley
- BatLab Finland, Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Popov IV, Berezinskaia IS, Popov IV, Martiusheva IB, Tkacheva EV, Gorobets VE, Tikhmeneva IA, Aleshukina AV, Tverdokhlebova TI, Chikindas ML, Venema K, Ermakov AM. Cultivable Gut Microbiota in Synanthropic Bats: Shifts of Its Composition and Diversity Associated with Hibernation. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3658. [PMID: 38067008 PMCID: PMC10705225 DOI: 10.3390/ani13233658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The role of bats in the global microbial ecology no doubt is significant due to their unique immune responses, ability to fly, and long lifespan, all contributing to pathogen spread. Some of these animals hibernate during winter, which results in the altering of their physiology. However, gut microbiota shifts during hibernation is little studied. In this research, we studied cultivable gut microbiota composition and diversity of Nyctalus noctula before, during, and after hibernation in a bat rehabilitation center. Gut microorganisms were isolated on a broad spectrum of culture media, counted, and identified with mass spectrometry. Linear modeling was used to investigate associations between microorganism abundance and N. noctula physiological status, and alpha- and beta-diversity indexes were used to explore diversity changes. As a result, most notable changes were observed in Serratia liquefaciens, Hafnia alvei, Staphylococcus sciuri, and Staphylococcus xylosus, which were significantly more highly abundant in hibernating bats, while Citrobacter freundii, Klebsiella oxytoca, Providencia rettgeri, Citrobacter braakii, and Pedicoccus pentosaceus were more abundant in active bats before hibernation. The alpha-diversity was the lowest in hibernating bats, while the beta-diversity differed significantly among all studied periods. Overall, this study shows that hibernation contributes to changes in bat cultivable gut microbiota composition and diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor V. Popov
- Faculty “Bioengineering and Veterinary Medicine” and Center for Agrobiotechnology, Don State Technical University, 344000 Rostov-on-Don, Russia; (I.V.P.); (E.V.T.); (V.E.G.); (I.A.T.); (M.L.C.); (A.M.E.)
- Division of Immunobiology and Biomedicine, Center of Genetics and Life Sciences, Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Federal Territory Sirius, Russia
- Centre for Healthy Eating & Food Innovation (HEFI), Maastricht University—Campus Venlo, 5928 SZ Venlo, The Netherlands;
| | - Iraida S. Berezinskaia
- Rostov Research Institute of Microbiology and Parasitology, 344010 Rostov-on-Don, Russia; (I.S.B.); (I.B.M.); (A.V.A.)
| | - Ilia V. Popov
- Faculty “Bioengineering and Veterinary Medicine” and Center for Agrobiotechnology, Don State Technical University, 344000 Rostov-on-Don, Russia; (I.V.P.); (E.V.T.); (V.E.G.); (I.A.T.); (M.L.C.); (A.M.E.)
| | - Irina B. Martiusheva
- Rostov Research Institute of Microbiology and Parasitology, 344010 Rostov-on-Don, Russia; (I.S.B.); (I.B.M.); (A.V.A.)
| | - Elizaveta V. Tkacheva
- Faculty “Bioengineering and Veterinary Medicine” and Center for Agrobiotechnology, Don State Technical University, 344000 Rostov-on-Don, Russia; (I.V.P.); (E.V.T.); (V.E.G.); (I.A.T.); (M.L.C.); (A.M.E.)
| | - Vladislav E. Gorobets
- Faculty “Bioengineering and Veterinary Medicine” and Center for Agrobiotechnology, Don State Technical University, 344000 Rostov-on-Don, Russia; (I.V.P.); (E.V.T.); (V.E.G.); (I.A.T.); (M.L.C.); (A.M.E.)
| | - Iuliia A. Tikhmeneva
- Faculty “Bioengineering and Veterinary Medicine” and Center for Agrobiotechnology, Don State Technical University, 344000 Rostov-on-Don, Russia; (I.V.P.); (E.V.T.); (V.E.G.); (I.A.T.); (M.L.C.); (A.M.E.)
| | - Anna V. Aleshukina
- Rostov Research Institute of Microbiology and Parasitology, 344010 Rostov-on-Don, Russia; (I.S.B.); (I.B.M.); (A.V.A.)
| | - Tatiana I. Tverdokhlebova
- Rostov Research Institute of Microbiology and Parasitology, 344010 Rostov-on-Don, Russia; (I.S.B.); (I.B.M.); (A.V.A.)
| | - Michael L. Chikindas
- Faculty “Bioengineering and Veterinary Medicine” and Center for Agrobiotechnology, Don State Technical University, 344000 Rostov-on-Don, Russia; (I.V.P.); (E.V.T.); (V.E.G.); (I.A.T.); (M.L.C.); (A.M.E.)
- Health Promoting Naturals Laboratory, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers State University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
- Department of General Hygiene, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119435 Moscow, Russia
| | - Koen Venema
- Centre for Healthy Eating & Food Innovation (HEFI), Maastricht University—Campus Venlo, 5928 SZ Venlo, The Netherlands;
| | - Alexey M. Ermakov
- Faculty “Bioengineering and Veterinary Medicine” and Center for Agrobiotechnology, Don State Technical University, 344000 Rostov-on-Don, Russia; (I.V.P.); (E.V.T.); (V.E.G.); (I.A.T.); (M.L.C.); (A.M.E.)
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Li A, Li Z, Leng H, Jin L, Xiao Y, Sun K, Feng J. Seasonal assembly of skin microbiota driven by neutral and selective processes in the greater horseshoe bat. Mol Ecol 2023; 32:4695-4707. [PMID: 37322601 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Skin microbiota play an important role in protecting bat hosts from the fungal pathogen Pseudogymnoascus destructans, which has caused dramatic bat population declines and extinctions. Recent studies have provided insights into the bacterial communities of bat skin, but variation in skin bacterial community structure in the context of the seasonal dynamics of fungal invasion, as well as the processes that drive such variation, remain largely unexplored. In this study, we characterized bat skin microbiota over the course of the bat hibernation and active season stages and used a neutral model of community ecology to determine the relative roles of neutral and selective processes in driving microbial community variation. Our results showed significant seasonal shifts in skin community structure, as well as less diverse microbiota in hibernation than in the active season. Skin microbiota were influenced by the environmental bacterial reservoir. During both the hibernation and active season stages, more than 78% of ASVs in bat skin microbiota were consistent with neutral distribution, implying that neutral processes, that is, dispersal or ecological drift contributing the most to shifts in skin microbiota. In addition, the neutral model showed that some ASVs were actively selected by the bats from the environmental bacterial reservoir, accounting for approximately 20% and 31% of the total community during hibernation and active season stages, respectively. Overall, this research provides insights into the assemblage of bat-associated bacterial communities and will aid in the development of conservation strategies against fungal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aoqiang Li
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
- School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhongle Li
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Haixia Leng
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Longru Jin
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Yanhong Xiao
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Keping Sun
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, Ministry of Education, Changchun, China
| | - Jiang Feng
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
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Blejwas K, Beard L, Buchanan J, Lausen CL, Neubaum D, Tobin A, Weller TJ. COULD WHITE-NOSE SYNDROME MANIFEST DIFFERENTLY IN MYOTIS LUCIFUGUS IN WESTERN VERSUS EASTERN REGIONS OF NORTH AMERICA? A REVIEW OF FACTORS. J Wildl Dis 2023; 59:381-397. [PMID: 37270186 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-22-00050] [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: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
White-nose syndrome (WNS) has notably affected the abundance of Myotis lucifugus (little brown myotis) in North America. Thus far, substantial mortality has been restricted to the eastern part of the continent where the cause of WNS, the invasive fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans, has infected bats since 2006. To date, the state of Washington is the only area in the Western US or Canada (the Rocky Mountains and further west in North America) with confirmed cases of WNS in bats, and there the disease has spread more slowly than it did in Eastern North America. Here, we review differences between M. lucifugus in western and eastern parts of the continent that may affect transmission, spread, and severity of WNS in the West and highlight important gaps in knowledge. We explore the hypothesis that western M. lucifugus may respond differently to WNS on the basis of different hibernation strategies, habitat use, and greater genetic structure. To document the effect of WNS on M. lucifugus in the West most effectively, we recommend focusing on maternity roosts for strategic disease surveillance and monitoring abundance. We further recommend continuing the challenging work of identifying hibernation and swarming sites to better understand the microclimates, microbial communities, and role in disease transmission of these sites, as well as the ecology and hibernation physiology of bats in noncavernous hibernacula.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Blejwas
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, PO Box 110024, Juneau, Alaska 99811, USA
- Except for the first author, all others are listed in alphabetical order
| | - Laura Beard
- Wyoming Game and Fish Department, 260 Buena Vista, Lander, Wyoming 82520, USA
| | - Joseph Buchanan
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, PO Box 43200, Olympia, Washington 98501, USA
| | - Cori L Lausen
- Wildlife Conservation Society Canada, 202 B Avenue, Kaslo, British Columbia V0G 1M0, Canada
| | - Daniel Neubaum
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife, 711 Independent Ave., Grand Junction, Colorado 81507, USA
| | - Abigail Tobin
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, PO Box 43200, Olympia, Washington 98501, USA
| | - Theodore J Weller
- USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, 1700 Bayview Drive, Arcata, California 95521, USA
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Higher white-nose syndrome fungal isolate yields from UV-guided wing biopsies compared with skin swabs and optimal culture media. BMC Vet Res 2023; 19:40. [PMID: 36759833 PMCID: PMC9912490 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-023-03603-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND North American bat populations have suffered severe declines over the last decade due to the Pseudogymnoascus destructans fungus infection. The skin disease associated with this causative agent, known as white-nose syndrome (WNS), is specific to bats hibernating in temperate regions. As cultured fungal isolates are required for epidemiological and phylogeographical studies, the purpose of the present work was to compare the efficacy and reliability of different culture approaches based on either skin swabs or wing membrane tissue biopsies for obtaining viable fungal isolates of P. destructans. RESULTS In total, we collected and analysed 69 fungal and 65 bacterial skin swabs and 51 wing membrane tissue biopsies from three bat species in the Czech Republic, Poland and the Republic of Armenia. From these, we obtained 12 viable P. destructans culture isolates. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicated that the efficacy of cultures based on wing membrane biopsies were significantly higher. Cultivable samples tended to be based on collections from bats with lower body surface temperature and higher counts of UV-visualised lesions. While cultures based on both skin swabs and wing membrane tissue biopsies can be utilised for monitoring and surveillance of P. destructans in bat populations, wing membrane biopsies guided by UV light for skin lesions proved higher efficacy. Interactions between bacteria on the host's skin also appear to play an important role.
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Pannkuk EL, Dorville NASY, Bansal S, Bansal S, Dzal YA, Fletcher QE, Norquay KJO, Fornace AJ, Willis CKR. White-Nose Syndrome Disrupts the Splenic Lipidome of Little Brown Bats ( Myotis lucifugus) at Early Disease Stages. J Proteome Res 2023; 22:182-192. [PMID: 36479878 PMCID: PMC9929917 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.2c00600] [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: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
White-nose syndrome (WNS)-positive little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) may exhibit immune responses including increased cytokine and pro-inflammatory mediator gene levels. Bioactive lipid mediators (oxylipins) formed by enzymatic oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids can contribute to these immune responses, but have not been investigated in WNS pathophysiology. Nonenzymatic conversion of polyunsaturated fatty acids can also occur due to reactive oxygen species, however, these enantiomeric isomers will lack the same signaling properties. In this study, we performed a series of targeted lipidomic approaches on laboratory Pseudogymnoascus destructans-inoculated bats to assess changes in their splenic lipidome, including the formation of lipid mediators at early stages of WNS. Hepatic lipids previously identified were also resolved to a higher structural detail. We compared WNS-susceptible M. lucifugus to a WNS-resistant species, the big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus). Altered splenic lipid levels were only observed in M. lucifugus. Differences in splenic free fatty acids included both omega-3 and omega-6 compounds. Increased levels of an enantiomeric monohydroxy DHA mixture were found, suggesting nonenzymatic formation. Changes in previously identified hepatic lipids were confined to omega-3 constituents. Together, these results suggest that increased oxidative stress, but not an inflammatory response, is occurring in bats at early stages of WNS that precedes fat depletion. These data have been submitted to metabolomics workbench and assigned a study number ST002304.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan L. Pannkuk
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, United States of America,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, United States of America,Center for Metabolomic Studies, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, United States of America,Corresponding Authors: Evan L. Pannkuk, PhD, Georgetown University, 3970 Reservoir Road, NW, New Research Building, Room E504, Washington, DC, USA, 20057, , Phone: (202) 687-5650, Craig K.R. Willis, PhD, University of Winnipeg, 515 Portage Ave, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2E9, Canada, , Phone: (204) 786-9433
| | - Nicole A. S.-Y. Dorville
- Department of Biology and Centre for Forest Interdisciplinary Research (C-FIR), University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2E9, Canada
| | - Shivani Bansal
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, United States of America
| | - Sunil Bansal
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, United States of America
| | - Yvonne A. Dzal
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Quinn E. Fletcher
- Department of Biology and Centre for Forest Interdisciplinary Research (C-FIR), University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2E9, Canada
| | - Kaleigh J. O. Norquay
- Department of Biology and Centre for Forest Interdisciplinary Research (C-FIR), University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2E9, Canada
| | - Albert J. Fornace
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, United States of America,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, United States of America,Center for Metabolomic Studies, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, United States of America
| | - Craig K. R. Willis
- Department of Biology and Centre for Forest Interdisciplinary Research (C-FIR), University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2E9, Canada,Corresponding Authors: Evan L. Pannkuk, PhD, Georgetown University, 3970 Reservoir Road, NW, New Research Building, Room E504, Washington, DC, USA, 20057, , Phone: (202) 687-5650, Craig K.R. Willis, PhD, University of Winnipeg, 515 Portage Ave, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2E9, Canada, , Phone: (204) 786-9433
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Martínez-Ugalde E, Ávila-Akerberg V, González Martínez TM, Vázquez Trejo M, Zavala Hernández D, Anaya-Morales SL, Rebollar EA. The skin microbiota of the axolotl Ambystoma altamirani is highly influenced by metamorphosis and seasonality but not by pathogen infection. Anim Microbiome 2022; 4:63. [PMID: 36503640 PMCID: PMC9743558 DOI: 10.1186/s42523-022-00215-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microbiomes have been increasingly recognized as major contributors to host health and survival. In amphibians, bacterial members of the skin microbiota protect their hosts by inhibiting the growth of the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Even though several studies describe the influence of biotic and abiotic factors over the skin microbiota, it remains unclear how these symbiotic bacterial communities vary across time and development. This is particularly relevant for species that undergo metamorphosis as it has been shown that host physiology and ecology drastically influence diversity of the skin microbiome. RESULTS We found that the skin bacterial communities of the axolotl A. altamirani are largely influenced by the metamorphic status of the host and by seasonal variation of abiotic factors such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen and conductivity. Despite high Bd prevalence in these samples, the bacterial diversity of the skin microbiota did not differ between infected and non-infected axolotls, although relative abundance of particular bacteria were correlated with Bd infection intensity. CONCLUSIONS Our work shows that metamorphosis is a crucial process that shapes skin bacterial communities and that axolotls under different developmental stages respond differently to environmental seasonal variations. Moreover, this study greatly contributes to a better understanding of the factors that shape amphibian skin microbiota, especially in a largely underexplored group like axolotls (Mexican Ambystoma species).
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuel Martínez-Ugalde
- grid.9486.30000 0001 2159 0001Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Víctor Ávila-Akerberg
- grid.412872.a0000 0001 2174 6731Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Rurales, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Toluca, Mexico
| | - Tanya M. González Martínez
- grid.9486.30000 0001 2159 0001Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Montserrat Vázquez Trejo
- grid.9486.30000 0001 2159 0001Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Dalia Zavala Hernández
- grid.9486.30000 0001 2159 0001Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Sara Lucia Anaya-Morales
- grid.9486.30000 0001 2159 0001Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico ,grid.251313.70000 0001 2169 2489 Department of Biology, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS USA
| | - Eria A. Rebollar
- grid.9486.30000 0001 2159 0001Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
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Salazar-Hamm PS, Hathaway JJM, Winter AS, Caimi NA, Buecher DC, Valdez EW, Northup DE. Great diversity of KS α sequences from bat-associated microbiota suggests novel sources of uncharacterized natural products. FEMS MICROBES 2022; 3:xtac012. [PMID: 35573391 PMCID: PMC9097503 DOI: 10.1093/femsmc/xtac012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyketide synthases (PKSs) are multidomain enzymes in microorganisms that synthesize complex, bioactive molecules. PKS II systems are iterative, containing only a single representative of each domain: ketosynthase alpha (KS[Formula: see text]), ketosynthase beta and the acyl carrier protein. Any gene encoding for one of these domains is representative of an entire PKS II biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC). Bat skin surfaces represent an extreme environment prolific in Actinobacteria that may constitute a source for bioactive molecule discovery. KS[Formula: see text] sequences were obtained from culturable bacteria from bats in the southwestern United States. From 467 bat bacterial isolates, we detected 215 (46%) had KS[Formula: see text] sequences. Sequencing yielded 210 operational taxonomic units, and phylogenetic placement found 45 (21%) shared <85% homology to characterized metabolites. Additionally, 16 Actinobacteria genomes from the bat microbiome were analyzed for biosynthetic capacity. A range of 69-93% of the BGCs were novel suggesting the bat microbiome may contain valuable uncharacterized natural products. Documenting and characterizing these are important in understanding the susceptibility of bats to emerging infectious diseases, such as white-nose syndrome. Also noteworthy was the relationship between KS [Formula: see text] homology and total BGC novelty within each fully sequenced strain. We propose amplification and detection of KS[Formula: see text] could predict a strain's global biosynthetic capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paris S Salazar-Hamm
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001, USA
| | | | - Ara S Winter
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001, USA
| | - Nicole A Caimi
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001, USA
| | | | - Ernest W Valdez
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001, USA
- U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, Department of Biology, MSC03 2020, University of New Mexico, lbuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Diana E Northup
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001, USA
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Li Z, Li A, Dai W, Leng H, Liu S, Jin L, Sun K, Feng J. Skin Microbiota Variation Among Bat Species in China and Their Potential Defense Against Pathogens. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:808788. [PMID: 35432245 PMCID: PMC9009094 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.808788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Host-associated skin bacteria are essential for resisting pathogen infections and maintaining health. However, we have little understanding of how chiropteran skin microbiota are distributed among bat species and their habitats, or of their putative roles in defending against Pseudogymnoascus destructans in China. In this study, we characterized the skin microbiomes of four bat species at five localities using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to understand their skin microbial composition, structure, and putative relationship with disease. The alpha- and beta-diversities of skin microbiota differed significantly among the bat species, and the differences were affected by environmental temperature, sampling sites, and host body condition. The chiropteran skin microbial communities were enriched in bacterial taxa that had low relative abundances in the environment. Most of the potential functions of skin microbiota in bat species were associated with metabolism. Focusing on their functions of defense against pathogens, we found that skin microbiota could metabolize a variety of active substances that could be potentially used to fight P. destructans. The skin microbial communities of bats in China are related to the environment and the bat host, and may be involved in the host's defense against pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongle Li
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Aoqiang Li
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, Ministry of Education, Changchun, China
| | - Wentao Dai
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Haixia Leng
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Sen Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Longru Jin
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Keping Sun
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, Ministry of Education, Changchun, China
| | - Jiang Feng
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
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Do gastrointestinal microbiomes play a role in bats' unique viral hosting capacity? Trends Microbiol 2022; 30:632-642. [PMID: 35034797 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2021.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Bats are reservoirs for zoonotic viruses, which they tolerate without experiencing disease. Research focused on deciphering mechanisms of virus tolerance in bats has rarely considered the influence of their gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microbiome. In mammals, GIT microbiomes influence infections through their effect on host physiology, immunity, nutrition, and behavior. Bat GIT microbiomes more closely resemble the Proteobacteria-dominated GIT microbiomes of birds than those of other mammals. As an adaptation to flight, bats have rapid GIT transit times which may reduce the stability of their microbiome, constrain nutrient uptake, and affect pathogen exposure and evolution of tolerance mechanisms. Experimental and longitudinal studies are needed to understand the function of bats' GIT microbiomes and their role in modulating viral infection dynamics.
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Pannkuk EL, Dorville NASY, Dzal YA, Fletcher QE, Norquay KJO, Willis CKR, Fornace AJ, Laiakis EC. Hepatic lipid signatures of little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) and big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) at early stages of white-nose syndrome. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11581. [PMID: 34078939 PMCID: PMC8172879 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90828-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
White-nose syndrome (WNS) is an emergent wildlife fungal disease of cave-dwelling, hibernating bats that has led to unprecedented mortalities throughout North America. A primary factor in WNS-associated bat mortality includes increased arousals from torpor and premature fat depletion during winter months. Details of species and sex-specific changes in lipid metabolism during WNS are poorly understood and may play an important role in the pathophysiology of the disease. Given the likely role of fat metabolism in WNS and the fact that the liver plays a crucial role in fatty acid distribution and lipid storage, we assessed hepatic lipid signatures of little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) and big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) at an early stage of infection with the etiological agent, Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd). Differences in lipid profiles were detected at the species and sex level in the sham-inoculated treatment, most strikingly in higher hepatic triacylglyceride (TG) levels in E. fuscus females compared to males. Interestingly, several dominant TGs (storage lipids) decreased dramatically after Pd infection in both female M. lucifugus and E. fuscus. Increases in hepatic glycerophospholipid (structural lipid) levels were only observed in M. lucifugus, including two phosphatidylcholines (PC [32:1], PC [42:6]) and one phosphatidylglycerol (PG [34:1]). These results suggest that even at early stages of WNS, changes in hepatic lipid mobilization may occur and be species and sex specific. As pre-hibernation lipid reserves may aid in bat persistence and survival during WNS, these early perturbations to lipid metabolism could have important implications for management responses that aid in pre-hibernation fat storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan L Pannkuk
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, 20057, USA.
| | - Nicole A S-Y Dorville
- Department of Biology and Centre for Forest Interdisciplinary Research (C-FIR), University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Yvonne A Dzal
- Department of Biology and Centre for Forest Interdisciplinary Research (C-FIR), University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Quinn E Fletcher
- Department of Biology and Centre for Forest Interdisciplinary Research (C-FIR), University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Kaleigh J O Norquay
- Department of Biology and Centre for Forest Interdisciplinary Research (C-FIR), University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Craig K R Willis
- Department of Biology and Centre for Forest Interdisciplinary Research (C-FIR), University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
| | - Albert J Fornace
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, 20057, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, 20057, USA
| | - Evagelia C Laiakis
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, 20057, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, 20057, USA
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