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Zhu XM, Chen JQ, Du Y, Lin CX, Qu YF, Lin LH, Ji X. Microbial communities are thermally more sensitive in warm-climate lizards compared with their cold-climate counterparts. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1374209. [PMID: 38686106 PMCID: PMC11056556 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1374209] [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: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Environmental temperature affects the composition, structure, and function of the gut microbial communities in host animals. To elucidate the role of gut microbiota in thermal adaptation, we designed a 2 species × 3 temperatures experiment, whereby we acclimated adult males of two agamid lizard species (warm-climate Leiolepis reevesii and cold-climate Phrynocephalus przewalskii) to 20, 28, and 36°C for 2 weeks and then collected their fecal and small-intestinal samples to analyze and compare the microbiota using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing technology. The fecal microbiota displayed more pronounced interspecific differences in microbial community than the small-intestinal microbiota in the two species occurring in thermally different regions. The response of fecal and small-intestinal microbiota to temperature increase or decrease differed between the two species, with more bacterial taxa affected by acclimation temperature in L. reevesii than in P. przewalskii. Both species, the warm-climate species in particular, could cope with temperature change by adjusting the relative abundance of functional categories associated with metabolism and environmental information processing. Functional genes associated with carbohydrate metabolism were enhanced in P. przewalskii, suggesting the contribution of the fecal microbiota to cold-climate adaptation in P. przewalskii. Taken together, our results validate the two hypotheses tested, of which one suggests that the gut microbiota should help lizards adapt to thermal environments in which they live, and the other suggests that microbial communities should be thermally more sensitive in warm-climate lizards than in cold-climate lizards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia-Ming Zhu
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jun-Qiong Chen
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yu Du
- Hainan Key Laboratory of Herpetological Research, College of Fisheries and Life Sciences, Hainan Tropical Ocean University, Sanya, China
| | - Chi-Xian Lin
- Hainan Key Laboratory of Herpetological Research, College of Fisheries and Life Sciences, Hainan Tropical Ocean University, Sanya, China
| | - Yan-Fu Qu
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Long-Hui Lin
- Herpetological Research Center, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiang Ji
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China
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2
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Gerrick ER, DeSchepper LB, Mechler CM, Joubert LM, Dunker F, Colston TJ, Howitt MR. Commensal protists in reptiles display flexible host range and adaptation to ectothermic hosts. mBio 2023; 14:e0227323. [PMID: 37962346 PMCID: PMC10746265 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02273-23] [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: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Environmental factors like climate change and captive breeding can impact the gut microbiota and host health. Therefore, conservation efforts for threatened species may benefit from understanding how these factors influence animal microbiomes. Parabasalid protists are members of the mammalian microbiota that can modulate the immune system and impact susceptibility to infections. However, little is known about parabasalids in reptiles. Here, we profile reptile-associated parabasalids in wild and captive reptiles and find that captivity has minimal impact on parabasalid prevalence or diversity. However, because reptiles are cold-blooded (ectothermic), their microbiotas experience wider temperature fluctuation than microbes in warm-blooded animals. To investigate whether extreme weather patterns affect parabasalid-host interactions, we analyzed the gene expression in reptile-associated parabasalids and found that temperature differences significantly alter genes associated with host health. These results expand our understanding of parabasalids in this vulnerable vertebrate group and highlight important factors to be taken into consideration for conservation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias R. Gerrick
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Leila B. DeSchepper
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Claire M. Mechler
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Lydia-Marie Joubert
- Cell Sciences Imaging Facility (CSIF), Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Freeland Dunker
- Steinhart Aquarium, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | - Michael R. Howitt
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Program in Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
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3
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Su HY, Hussain B, Hsu BM, Lee KH, Mao YC, Chiang LC, Chen JS. Bacterial community analysis identifies Klebsiella pneumoniae as a native symbiotic bacterium in the newborn Protobothrops mucrosquamatus. BMC Microbiol 2023; 23:213. [PMID: 37553640 PMCID: PMC10408043 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-023-02936-4] [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: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The study of the native microbiome of organisms is crucial. The connection between the native microbiome and the host affects the formation of the innate immune system and the organism's growth. However, the native microbiome of newborn venomous snakes has not been reported. Therefore, we aimed to determine the oral and skin microbiomes of newborn Protobothrops mucrosquamatus. RESULTS We performed 16 S full-length sequencing on 14 samples collected from 7 newborn P. mucrosquamatus individuals, specifically targeting their oral and skin microbiomes. In terms of the oral and skin microbiome, the main species were Klebsiella pneumoniae lineages. According to subspecies/species analysis, the proportion from highest to lowest was K. quasipneumoniae subsp. similipneumoniae, K. pneumoniae subsp. pneumoniae, and K. pneumoniae subsp. rhinoscleromatis. These three bacteria accounted for 62.5% and 85% of the skin and oral activity, respectively. The oral microbiome of newborn P. mucrosquamatus did not comprise common bacteria found in snakebite wounds or oral cultures in adult snakes. Therefore, the source of other microbiomes in the oral cavities of adult snakes may be the environment or prey. Functional Annotation of the Prokaryotic Taxa analysis showed that the skin/oral native microbiome metabolism was related to fermentation and human infection owing to the dominance of K. pneumoniae lineages. The characteristics of K. pneumoniae may impact the development of venom in venomous snakes. CONCLUSION The results of the native microbiome in the oral cavity and skin of newborn P. mucrosquamatus demonstrated that the habitat environment and prey capture may affect the composition of bacteria in adult snakes. We hypothesized that the native microbiome influences newborn venomous snakes and that K. pneumoniae lineages related to citrate fermentation may play a role in venom growth. However, further verification of this is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung-Yuan Su
- Department of Emergency Medicine, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- School of Chinese Medicine for Post Baccalaureate, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Bashir Hussain
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, National Chung Cheng University, Chiayi County, Taiwan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, National Chung Cheng University, Chiayi County, Taiwan
| | - Bing-Mu Hsu
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, National Chung Cheng University, Chiayi County, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Hsin Lee
- Department of Emergency Medicine, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, E-Da Dachang Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Yan-Chiao Mao
- Division of Clinical Toxicology, Department of Emergency Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Centre, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Liao-Chun Chiang
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Department of Biology and Anatomy, National Defense Medical Centre, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Jung-Sheng Chen
- Department of Medical Research, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
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4
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Wei Y, Zhou M, Fang W, Liu Q, Mao H, Chen B, Zhang T, Xu Y, Zhang W, Zheng Y, Hu X. Differences in the luminal and mucosal gut microbiomes and metabolomes of oriental rat snake (Ptyas mucosus). Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 107:3257-3271. [PMID: 37071138 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12524-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies regarding the gastrointestinal biogeography of microbiomes generally focused on longitudinal comparisons, whereas few studies have compared luminal and mucosal microbiomes. Investigations of the snake gut microbiome have attracted interest because of the unique digestive physiology and hibernation behavior, but adequate sampling methods must be developed. Here, we used an omics approach combining 16S rRNA gene sequencing with untargeted metabolomics to profile the luminal and mucosal gut microbiomes and metabolomes in oriental rat snakes, with the goal of revealing the heterogeneity and co-occurrence at these sites. The α-diversity of the gut microbiome was significantly higher at mucosal sites than at luminal sites. Microbial composition also differed according to sampling site, with significant differences in the abundances of dominant phyla and genera, as well as β-diversity clustering and distribution. Metabolome profiling revealed differences that were mainly related to cholinergic substances and nucleic acids. Analysis of variations in Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes functions of microbes and metabolites showed that the mucosal microbiome was more frequently involved in genetic information processing and cellular processes, whereas the luminal microbiome generally participated in metabolic regulation. Notably, we found a greater abundance of the opportunistic pathogen genus Escherichia-Shigella at luminal sites and higher levels of the lipid-regulator metabolite fenfluramine at mucosal sites. Despite the extensive differences between the two sampling sites, the results revealed similarities in terms of amplicon sequence variant composition and dominant core microbes. This pilot exploration of luminal and mucosal microbiomes and metabolites provides key insights to guide future research. KEY POINTS: • Snake luminal and mucosal microbiota was distinct in composition and function. • Metabolome profiling revealed differences related to different metabolites. • The pathogenic microbes are more likely to colonize the gut lumina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Wei
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Mingfang Zhou
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Wenjie Fang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Qiuhong Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Huirong Mao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Biao Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Tianxiang Zhang
- Institute of Wildlife Conservation, Jiangxi Academy of Forestry, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Yongtao Xu
- College of Forestry, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Weiwei Zhang
- College of Forestry, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Yunlin Zheng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Xiaolong Hu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China.
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Vasconcelos DS, Harris DJ, Damas-Moreira I, Pereira A, Xavier R. Factors shaping the gut microbiome of five species of lizards from different habitats. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15146. [PMID: 37187519 PMCID: PMC10178224 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15146] [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: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Host-gut microbiota interactions are complex and can have a profound impact on the ecology and evolution of both counterparts. Several host traits such as systematics, diet and social behavior, and external factors such as prey availability and local environment are known to influence the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota. Methods In this study, we investigate the influence of systematics, sex, host size, and locality/habitat on gut microbiota diversity in five lizard species from two different sites in Portugal: Podarcis bocagei and Podarcis lusitanicus, living in syntopy in a rural area in northern Portugal (Moledo); the invasive Podarcis siculus and the native Podarcis virescens, living in sympatry in an urbanized environment (Lisbon); and the invasive Teira dugesii also living in an urban area (Lisbon). We also infer the potential microbial transmission occurring between species living in sympatry and syntopy. To achieve these goals, we use a metabarcoding approach to characterize the bacterial communities from the cloaca of lizards, sequencing the V4 region of the 16S rRNA. Results Habitat/locality was an important factor explaining differences in gut bacterial composition and structure, with species from urbanized environments having higher bacterial diversity. Host systematics (i.e., species) influenced gut bacterial community structure only in lizards from the urbanized environment. We also detected a significant positive correlation between lizard size and gut bacterial alpha-diversity in the invasive species P. siculus, which could be due to its higher exploratory behavior. Moreover, estimates of bacterial transmission indicate that P. siculus may have acquired a high proportion of local microbiota after its introduction. These findings confirm that a diverse array of host and environmental factors can influence lizards' gut microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana S. Vasconcelos
- CIBIO - Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão da Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO - Campus de Vairão, Vairão, Portugal
| | - D. James Harris
- CIBIO - Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão da Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO - Campus de Vairão, Vairão, Portugal
| | | | - Ana Pereira
- CIBIO - Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão da Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO - Campus de Vairão, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Raquel Xavier
- CIBIO - Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão da Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO - Campus de Vairão, Vairão, Portugal
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6
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Moraitou M, Forsythe A, Fellows Yates JA, Brealey JC, Warinner C, Guschanski K. Ecology, Not Host Phylogeny, Shapes the Oral Microbiome in Closely Related Species. Mol Biol Evol 2022; 39:6874787. [PMID: 36472532 PMCID: PMC9778846 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msac263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Host-associated microbiomes are essential for a multitude of biological processes. Placed at the contact zone between external and internal environments, the little-studied oral microbiome has important roles in host physiology and health. Here, we investigate the roles of host evolutionary relationships and ecology in shaping the oral microbiome in three closely related gorilla subspecies (mountain, Grauer's, and western lowland gorillas) using shotgun metagenomics of 46 museum-preserved dental calculus samples. We find that the oral microbiomes of mountain gorillas are functionally and taxonomically distinct from the other two subspecies, despite close evolutionary relationships and geographic proximity with Grauer's gorillas. Grauer's gorillas show intermediate bacterial taxonomic and functional, and dietary profiles. Altitudinal differences in gorilla subspecies ranges appear to explain these patterns, suggesting a close connection between dental calculus microbiomes and the environment, likely mediated through diet. This is further supported by the presence of gorilla subspecies-specific phyllosphere/rhizosphere taxa in the oral microbiome. Mountain gorillas show a high abundance of nitrate-reducing oral taxa, which may promote adaptation to a high-altitude lifestyle by modulating blood pressure. Our results suggest that ecology, rather than evolutionary relationships and geographic distribution, shape the oral microbiome in these closely related species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - James A Fellows Yates
- Department of Archaeogenetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, 04103 Leipzig, Germany,Department of Paleobiotechnology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology Hans Knöll Institute, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Jaelle C Brealey
- Department of Natural History, NTNU University Museum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Christina Warinner
- Department of Archaeogenetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, 04103 Leipzig, Germany,Department of Paleobiotechnology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology Hans Knöll Institute, 07745 Jena, Germany,Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University, 07743 Jena, Germany,Department of Anthropology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
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7
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Perez-Marron J, Sanders C, Gomez E, Escopete S, Owerkowicz T, Orwin PM. Community and shotgun metagenomic analysis of Alligator mississippiensis oral cavity and GI tracts reveal complex ecosystems and potential reservoirs of antibiotic resistance. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2022; 274:111319. [PMID: 36115554 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2022.111319] [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: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
We report here the community structure and functional analysis of the microbiome of the Alligator mississippiensis GI tract from the oral cavity through the entirety of the digestive tract. Although many vertebrate microbiomes have been studied in recent years, the archosaur microbiome has only been given cursory attention. In the oral cavity we used amplicon-based community analysis to examine the structure of the oral microbiome during alligator development. We found a community that diversified over time and showed many of the hallmarks we would expect of a stable oral community. This is a bit surprising given the rapid turnover of alligator teeth but suggests that the stable gumline microbes are able to rapidly colonize the emerging teeth. As we move down the digestive tract, we were able to use both long and short read sequencing approaches to evaluate the community using a shotgun metagenomics approach. Long read sequencing was applied to samples from the stomach/duodenum, and the colorectal region, revealing a fairly uniform and low complexity community made up primarily of proteobacteria at the top of the gut and much more diversity in the colon. We used deep short read sequencing to further interrogate this colorectal community. The two sequencing approaches were concordant with respect to community structure but substantially more detail was available in the short read data, in spite of high levels of host DNA contamination. Using both approaches we were able to show that the colorectal community is a potential reservoir for antibiotic resistance, human pathogens such as Clostridiodes difficile and a possible source of novel antimicrobials or other useful secondary metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ciara Sanders
- Biology Department, California State University at San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA, USA. https://twitter.com/cisanders
| | - Esther Gomez
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA, USA
| | - Sean Escopete
- Biology Department, California State University at San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA, USA
| | - Tomasz Owerkowicz
- Biology Department, California State University at San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA, USA
| | - Paul M Orwin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA, USA.
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8
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Eliades SJ, Colston TJ, Siler CD. Gut microbial ecology of Philippine gekkonids: ecoevolutionary effects on microbiome compositions. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2022; 98:6763418. [PMID: 36259773 PMCID: PMC9681010 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiac124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Given the rapidly changing landscapes of habitats across the globe, a sound understanding of host-associated microbial communities and the ecoevolutionary forces that shape them is needed to assess general organismal adaptability. Knowledge of the symbiotic endogenous microbiomes of most reptilian species worldwide remains limited. We sampled gut microbiomes of geckos spanning nine species and four genera in the Philippines to (i) provide baseline data on gut microbiota in these host species, (ii) test for significant associations between host phylogenetic relationships and observed microbial assemblages, potentially indicative of phylosymbiosis, and (iii) identify correlations between multiple ecoevolutionary factors (e.g. species identity, habitat tendencies, range extents, and maximum body sizes) and gut microbiomes in Philippine gekkonids. We recovered no significant association between interspecific host genetic distances and observed gut microbiomes, providing limited evidence for phylosymbiosis in this group. Philippine gekkonid microbiomes were associated most heavily with host species identity, though marked variation among conspecifics at distinct sampling sites indicates that host locality influences gut microbiomes as well. Interestingly, individuals grouped as widespread and microendemic regardless of host species identity displayed significant differences in alpha and beta diversity metrics examined, likely driven by differences in rare OTU presence between groups. These results provide much needed insight in host-associated microbiomes in wild reptiles and the ecoevolutionary forces that structure such communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel J Eliades
- Corresponding author: 2401 Chautauqua Avenue, Norman, OK 73072, United States. E-mail:
| | - Timothy J Colston
- Biology Department, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Call Box 9000, 00681-9000 Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
| | - Cameron D Siler
- Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History and Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma, 2401 Chautauqua Avenue, Norman, OK 73072, United States
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9
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Ni Q, Dong S, Xing B, Zeng B, Kong F, Xu H, Yao Y, Li D, Zhang M, Fan X, Yang D, Yang M, Xie M. Oral and fecal microbiome of confiscated Bengal slow lorises in response to confinement duration. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:941261. [PMID: 36238588 PMCID: PMC9553000 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.941261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Slow lorises are small arboreal and nocturnal primates. Due to the illegal trade, a large number of slow lorises were confiscated into wildlife sanctuaries or rescue centers. The re-release has been considered a preferable approach for alleviating the captive pressure, but inappropriate and long-term confinement make it difficult to achieve this goal. In this study, we investigated and compared the fecal and oral microbiome of Bengal slow lorises (Nycticebus bengalensis) under long-term captivity (LC) and short-term captivity (SC) groups based on 16s rRNA high-throughput gene sequencing. The oral microbiome displayed higher Chao1 richness but lower Shannon and Simpson indices than the fecal microbiome. The Bengal slow lorises under long-term captivity had abundant pathogenic genera in both gut and oral microbiomes, such as Desulfovibrio, Actinomyces, Capnocytophaga, Neisseria, and Fusobacterium, while some specific bacterial taxa associated with intestinal balance were more enriched in the SC group. Due to the plant gum scarcity in the diet, both groups had a low abundance of Bifidobacterium. Function profile prediction indicated that the LC group was enriched with genetic information processing and metabolism pathways due to the stable food intake. The increased membrane transport and xenobiotic metabolism and degradation functions in the SC group could be explained by the function of the host microbiome in facilitating adaptation to changing environments and diets. The results demonstrated that the oral microbiome had the potential to be used as a regular surveillance tool. Also, current captive management should be improved to ensure reintroduction success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyong Ni
- Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Qingyong Ni,
| | - Shasha Dong
- Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bolin Xing
- Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bo Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Fanli Kong
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Yaan, China
| | - Huailiang Xu
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Yaan, China
| | - Yongfang Yao
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Yaan, China
| | - Diyan Li
- Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Mingwang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaolan Fan
- Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Deying Yang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Mingyao Yang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Meng Xie
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Yaan, China
- Meng Xie,
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10
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Novel Sources of Bioactive Molecules: Gut Microbiome of Species Routinely Exposed to Microorganisms. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9080380. [PMID: 35893773 PMCID: PMC9331562 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9080380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The majority of antibiotics available in the market are produced by bacteria isolated from soil. However, the low-hanging fruit has been picked; hence, there is a need to mine bacteria from unusual sources. With this in mind, it is important to note that animals and pests, such as cockroaches, snake, crocodiles, water monitor lizards, etc., come across pathogenic bacteria regularly, yet flourish in contaminated environments. These species must have developed methods to defend themselves against pathogens. Besides the immunity they may confer, bacteria associated with animals/pests may offer a potential source of novel antibacterial agents. This paper discusses the current knowledge of bacteria isolated from land and marine animals with antibacterial properties and proposes untapped sources for the isolation of bacteria to mine potentially novel antibiotic molecules. Abstract The development of novel bioactive molecules is urgently needed, especially with increasing fatalities occurring due to infections by bacteria and escalating numbers of multiple-drug-resistant bacteria. Several lines of evidence show that the gut microbiome of cockroaches, snakes, crocodiles, water monitor lizards, and other species may possess molecules that are bioactive. As these animals are routinely exposed to a variety of microorganisms in their natural environments, it is likely that they have developed methods to counter these microbes, which may be a contributing factor in their persistence on the planet for millions of years. In addition to the immune system, the gut microbiota of a host may thwart colonization of the gastro-intestine by pathogenic and/or foreign microorganisms through two mechanisms: (i) production of molecules with antibacterial potential targeting foreign microorganisms, or (ii) production of molecules that trigger host immunity targeting foreign microorganisms that penetrate the host. Herein, we discuss and deliberate on the current literature examining antibacterial activities that stem from the gut bacteria of animals such as crocodiles, cockroaches, and water monitor lizards, amongst other interesting species, which likely encounter a plethora of microorganisms in their natural environments. The overall aim is to unveil a potential library of novel bioactive molecules for the benefit of human health and for utilization against infectious diseases.
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Ingala MR, Albert L, Addesso A, Watkins MJ, Knutie SA. Differential effects of elevated nest temperature and parasitism on the gut microbiota of wild avian hosts. Anim Microbiome 2021; 3:67. [PMID: 34600588 PMCID: PMC8487522 DOI: 10.1186/s42523-021-00130-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Changes in wild animal gut microbiotas may influence host health and fitness. While many studies have shown correlations between gut microbiota structure and external factors, few studies demonstrate causal links between environmental variables and microbiota shifts. Here, we use a fully factorial experiment to test the effects of elevated ambient temperature and natural nest parasitism by nest flies (Protocalliphora sialia) on the gut microbiotas of two species of wild birds, the eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis) and the tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor). RESULTS We find that bacterial communities from the nestlings of each host species show idiosyncratic responses to both heat and parasitism, with gut microbiotas of eastern bluebirds more disrupted by heat and parasitism than those of tree swallows. Thus, we find that eastern bluebirds are unable to maintain stable associations with their gut bacteria in the face of both elevated temperature and parasitism. In contrast, tree swallow gut microbiotas are not significantly impacted by either heat or nest parasitism. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that excess heat (e.g., as a result of climate change) may destabilize natural host-parasite-microbiota systems, with the potential to affect host fitness and survival in the Anthropocene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa R Ingala
- Department of Vertebrate Zoology, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA.
| | - Lauren Albert
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Alyssa Addesso
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Mackenzie J Watkins
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Sarah A Knutie
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
- Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
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