Wild black bears harbor simple gut microbial communities with little difference between the jejunum and colon

Gillman, Sierra J.; McKenney, Erin A.; Lafferty, Diana J. R.

doi:10.1038/s41598-020-77282-w

Cited by 12 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 69 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Our study is the first to characterize and quantify GMB variation in free-ranging brown bears across distinct subpopulations occupying a vast North American landscape. Firmicutes and Proteobacteria dominated all brown bear GMBs across the Alaskan landscape, as seen previously in brown bears and other bear species [65][66][67][68]. Further, GMB community membership patterns are similar to giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuc) [69] supporting research indicating phylogenetic relationships influence patterns of dominant GMB taxa [11].…”

Section: Gmb Variationsupporting

confidence: 75%

Intrinsic and extrinsic factors influence on an omnivore’s gut microbiome

et al. 2022

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Gut microbiomes (GMBs), complex communities of microorganisms inhabiting the gastrointestinal tracts of their hosts, perform countless micro-ecosystem services such as facilitating energy uptake and modulating immune responses. While scientists increasingly recognize the role GMBs play in host health, the role of GMBs in wildlife ecology and conservation has yet to be realized fully. Here, we use brown bears (Ursus arctos) as an ecological model to (1) characterize GMB community composition associated with location, season, and reproductive condition of a large omnivore; (2) investigate how both extrinsic and intrinsic factors influence GMB community membership and structure; and (3) quantify differences in GMB communities among different locations, seasons, sex, and reproductive conditions. To achieve these aims, we subsampled brown bear fecal samples collected during United States National Park Service research activities at three National Parks and Preserves (Katmai, Lake Clark, and Gates of the Arctic) and extracted microbial DNA for 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and microbial taxonomic classification. We analyzed GMB communities using alpha and beta diversity indices, subsequently using linear mixed models to examine relationships between alpha diversity and extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Katmai brown bears hosted the greatest alpha diversity, whereas Gates brown bears hosted the least alpha diversity. Our results indicate that location and diet drive GMB variation, with bears hosting less phylogenetic diversity as park distance inland increases. Monitoring brown bear GMBs could enable managers to quickly detect and assess the impact of environmental perturbations on brown bear health. By integrating macro and micro-ecological perspectives we aim to inform local and landscape-level management decisions to promote long-term brown bear conservation and management.

show abstract

Section: Gmb Variationsupporting

confidence: 75%

Intrinsic and extrinsic factors influence on an omnivore’s gut microbiome

et al. 2022

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Given the high level of among-individual variation detected in the bacterial communities of marten in this study, as well as the findings from other studies of carnivore gut microbiomes (e.g., mink [ 84 ], Ursus spp. [ 41 , 85 ]), it is not surprising that we detected statistically significant differences in unweighted UniFrac between live-trapped and harvested marten. As a metric, unweighted UniFriac disproportionately weights taxa that are present at low relative abundances.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 79%

“…PLOS ONE (e.g., mink [84], Ursus spp. [41,85]), it is not surprising that we detected statistically significant differences in unweighted UniFrac between live-trapped and harvested marten. As a metric, unweighted UniFriac disproportionately weights taxa that are present at low relative abundances.…”

Section: Plos Onementioning

confidence: 76%

See 1 more Smart Citation

The gut microbiome of wild American marten in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

et al. 2022

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Carnivores are ecologically important and sensitive to habitat loss and anthropogenic disruption. Here we measured trophic level and gut bacterial composition as proxies of carnivore ecological status across the Upper Peninsula, Michigan, for wild American marten (Martes americana; hereafter marten). In contrast to studies that have focused on omnivorous and herbivorous species, we find that marten, like other carnivore species without a cecum, are dominated by Firmicutes (52.35%) and Proteobacteria (45.31%) but lack Bacteroidetes. Additionally, a majority of the 12 major bacterial genera (occurring at ≥1%) are known hydrogen producers, suggesting these taxa may contribute to host energy requirements through fermentative production of acetate. Our study suggests that live trapping and harvest methods yield similar marten gut microbiome data. In addition, preserving undisturbed forest likely impacts marten ecology by measurably increasing marten trophic level and altering the gut microbiome. Our study underscores the utility of the gut microbiome as a tool to monitor the ecological status of wild carnivore populations.

show abstract

“…The intestines of herbivores are dominated by cellulose‐ and lignin‐decomposing bacteria (Rumenococcus, Clostridium, etc.) (Li et al, 2021; Zhang et al, 2019), whereas the intestines of carnivores are mainly concentrated with protein‐ and lipid‐degrading bacteria (Peptostreptococcus) (David et al, 2014; Gillman et al, 2020; Tu et al, 2005). The intestinal microbiota of omnivorous animals, such as wild birds, are primarily associated with Firmicutes (50%) and Proteobacteria (25%) (Kirsten et al, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variation in the intestinal microbiota at different developmental stages of Hynobius maoershanensis

Yang

Cui

Ning

et al. 2022

Ecology and Evolution

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Intestinal microbiota play an important role in the life of amphibians and its composition may vary by developmental stage. In this study, 16S rRNA high‐throughput sequencing was used to profile the intestinal microbiota of Hynobius maoershanensis, which exclusively inhabit the Maoer Mountain swamp at an altitude of approximately 2,000 m. We characterized the bacterial composition, structure, and function of the microbiota of H. maoershanensis at different developmental stages. The alpha diversity was not markedly different for the Simpson, Shannon, Ace, and Sobs indices of microbes. The beta diversity revealed that there were age‐related differences in the structure of the intestinal microbes of H. maoershanensis, specifically, at the phylum level. Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria were the dominant bacteria present in the adult stage, and the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes was significantly higher compared with that of tadpoles. Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were the dominant phylum during the tadpole stage and their relative abundance was significantly higher compared with the adult period. Functional analysis revealed that the pathways associated with organismal systems and metabolism were significantly enriched in the adults, whereas human diseases, genetic information processing, and cellular processes were more enriched in the hindlimb bud stage. Human diseases and environmental information processing were more enriched in the forelimb bud stage at KEGG pathway level 1. Possibilities for the observed discrepancies include the adaptation to eating habits and the remodeling of the intestines during development. We speculated that H. maoershanensis adults may be more suitable to a high‐fiber diet, whereas the tadpoles are associated with a carnivorous diet. Our study provides evidence of variations in the intestinal microbiota during development in amphibians, highlighting the influence of historical developments on the intestinal microbiota and an increased understanding of the importance of physiological characteristics in shaping the intestinal microbiota of amphibians. These data will help us formulate more effective protection measures for H. maoershanensis.

show abstract

Wild black bears harbor simple gut microbial communities with little difference between the jejunum and colon

Cited by 12 publications

References 69 publications

Intrinsic and extrinsic factors influence on an omnivore’s gut microbiome

Intrinsic and extrinsic factors influence on an omnivore’s gut microbiome

The gut microbiome of wild American marten in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

Variation in the intestinal microbiota at different developmental stages of Hynobius maoershanensis

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About