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Jackson D, Maltz MR, Freund HL, Borneman J, Aronson E. Environment and Diet Influence the Bacterial Microbiome of Ambigolimax valentianus, an Invasive Slug in California. INSECTS 2021; 12:575. [PMID: 34201881 PMCID: PMC8307491 DOI: 10.3390/insects12070575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 06/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Ambigolimax valentianus is an invasive European terrestrial gastropod distributed throughout California. It is a serious pest of gardens, plant nurseries, and greenhouses. We evaluated the bacterial microbiome of whole slugs to capture a more detailed picture of bacterial diversity and composition in this host. We concentrated on the influences of diet and environment on the Ambigolimax valentianus core bacterial microbiome as a starting point for obtaining valuable information to aid in future slug microbiome studies. Ambigolimax valentianus were collected from two environments (gardens or reared from eggs in a laboratory). DNA from whole slugs were extracted and next-generation 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed. Slug microbiomes differed between environmental sources (garden- vs. lab-reared) and were influenced by a sterile diet. Lab-reared slugs fed an unsterile diet harbored greater bacterial species than garden-reared slugs. A small core microbiome was present that was shared across all slug treatments. This is consistent with our hypothesis that a core microbiome is present and will not change due to these treatments. Findings from this study will help elucidate the impacts of slug-assisted bacterial dispersal on soils and plants, while providing valuable information about the slug microbiome for potential integrated pest research applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Jackson
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA; (D.J.); (H.L.F.); (J.B.)
- Natural Science Division, Porterville College, Porterville, CA 93257, USA
| | - Mia R. Maltz
- Center for Conservation Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA;
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Hannah L. Freund
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA; (D.J.); (H.L.F.); (J.B.)
- Genetics, Genomics, and Bioinformatics Program, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - James Borneman
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA; (D.J.); (H.L.F.); (J.B.)
| | - Emma Aronson
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA; (D.J.); (H.L.F.); (J.B.)
- Center for Conservation Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA;
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