Fundamental dietary specialisation explains differential use of resources within a koala population

Marsh, Karen J.; Blyton, Michaela D. J.; Foley, William J.; Moore, Ben D.

doi:10.1007/s00442-021-04962-3

Cited by 11 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…Eucalyptus leaves are not only high in fibre but also contain plant secondary metabolites such as tannins, formylated phloroglucinol compounds and unsubstituted B‐ring flavanones that either lower nutritional value or are toxic and deter koala feeding (Moore and Foley, 2005; Marsh et al ., 2019; Marsh et al ., 2021). Using culture‐based methods, two bacterial species, Lonepinella koalarum and Streptococcus gallolyticus , have been identified from koala faeces that are able to break down tannin‐protein complexes in vitro (Osawa et al ., 1995a; Osawa et al ., 1995b).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of the juvenile koala gut microbiome across wild populations

Blyton

Soo

Hugenholtz

et al. 2022

Environmental Microbiology

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In this study we compared the faecal microbiomes of wild joey koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) to those of adults, including their mothers, to establish whether gut microbiome maturation and inheritance in the wild is comparable to that seen in captivity. Our findings suggest that joey koala microbiomes slowly shift towards an adult assemblage between 6 and 12 months of age, as the microbiomes of 9-month-old joeys were more similar to those of adults than those of 7-month-olds, but still distinct. At the phylum level, differences between joeys and adults were broadly consistent with those in captivity, with Firmicutes increasing in relative abundance over the joeys' development and Proteobacteria decreasing. Of the fibre-degrading genes that increased in abundance over the development of captive joeys, those involved in hemicellulose and cellulose degradation, but not pectin degradation, were also generally found in higher abundance in adult wild koalas compared to 7-month-olds. Greater maternal inheritance of the faecal microbiome was seen in wild than in captive koalas, presumably due to the more solitary nature of wild koalas. This strong maternal inheritance of the gut microbiome could contribute to the development of localized differences in microbiome composition, population health and diet through spatial clustering of relatives.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of the juvenile koala gut microbiome across wild populations

Blyton

Soo

Hugenholtz

et al. 2022

Environmental Microbiology

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“…At Cape Otway, Victoria, koala diets differ in the proportions of E. viminalis , a highly palatable, digestible and protein-rich species, and E. obliqua , a less palatable and digestible species with low protein availability. These species also differ in possessing defences from different chemical classes (formylated phloroglucinol compounds vs unsubstituted B-ring flavanones) ( Moore & Foley, 2005 ; Marsh et al, 2021 ). The faecal microbiota of koalas that feed predominately on E. viminalis possess more phylum Bacteroidota and less phylum Firmicutes (particularly family Ruminococcaceae ) than those from E. obliqua- dominated diets ( Brice et al, 2019 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Individuality and stability of the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) faecal microbiota through time

Eisenhofer

Brice

Blyton

et al. 2023

PeerJ

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Gut microbiota studies often rely on a single sample taken per individual, representing a snapshot in time. However, we know that gut microbiota composition in many animals exhibits intra-individual variation over the course of days to months. Such temporal variations can be a confounding factor in studies seeking to compare the gut microbiota of different wild populations, or to assess the impact of medical/veterinary interventions. To date, little is known about the variability of the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) gut microbiota through time. Here, we characterise the gut microbiota from faecal samples collected at eight timepoints over a month for a captive population of South Australian koalas (n individuals = 7), and monthly over 7 months for a wild population of New South Wales koalas (n individuals = 5). Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we found that microbial diversity was stable over the course of days to months. Each koala had a distinct faecal microbiota composition which in the captive koalas was stable across days. The wild koalas showed more variation across months, although each individual still maintained a distinct microbial composition. Per koala, an average of 57 (±16) amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) were detected across all time points; these ASVs accounted for an average of 97% (±1.9%) of the faecal microbial community per koala. The koala faecal microbiota exhibits stability over the course of days to months. Such knowledge will be useful for future studies comparing koala populations and developing microbiota interventions for this regionally endangered marsupial.

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“…Trees provide both food and shelter and are the primary resource for arboreal folivores (Braithwaite, 2004; Matthews et al, 2007). Their nutritional value, structure and spatial arrangement contribute to habitat quality and can be used to predict, then test, the species occurrence and occupancy levels within spatially heterogeneous landscapes (Au et al, 2019; Marsh et al, 2021; McAlpine et al, 2006; Moore et al, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influences on koala habitat selection across four local government areas on the far north coast of NSW

et al. 2023

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Conserving habitats crucial for threatened koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) populations requires rating habitat quality from a fine spatial scale to patches, landscapes and then regions. The koala has a specialized diet focused on the leaves of a suite of Eucalyptus species. We asked: what are the key regional influences on habitat selection by koalas in the far north coast of New South Wales? We addressed this question by investigating the multi‐scale factors, and within‐scale and cross‐scale interactions, that influence koala habitat selection and distribution across four local government areas on the far north coast of New South Wales. We assembled and analysed a large data set of tree selection, identified by the presence of scats, in a wide range of randomly selected 5 × 5 km grids across the region. This resulted in more than 9000 trees surveyed for evidence of koala use from 302 field sites, together with associated biophysical site features. The dominant factor influencing habitat use and koala occurrence was the distribution of five Eucalyptus species. Koalas were more likely to use medium‐sized trees of these species where they occurred on soils with high levels of Colwell phosphorous. We also identified new interactions among the distribution of preferred tree species and soil phosphorous, and their distribution with the amount of suitable habitat in the surrounding landscape. Our study confirmed that non‐preferred species of eucalypts and non‐eucalypts are extensively used by koalas and form important components of koala habitat. This finding lends support to restoring a mosaic of koala‐preferred tree species and other species recognized for their value as shelter. Our study has provided the ecological foundation for developing a novel regional‐scale approach to the conservation of koalas, with adaptability to other wildlife species.

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Fundamental dietary specialisation explains differential use of resources within a koala population

Cited by 11 publications

References 53 publications

Characterization of the juvenile koala gut microbiome across wild populations

Characterization of the juvenile koala gut microbiome across wild populations

Individuality and stability of the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) faecal microbiota through time

Influences on koala habitat selection across four local government areas on the far north coast of NSW

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