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The functional microbiome of arthropods
Mauro Degli Esposti1,2, Esperanza Martinez Romero2
1Italian Institute of Technology, Genoa, Italy.
Plos One
|May 6, 2017
Summary
This meta-analysis reveals distinct functional groups in arthropod microbiomes, driven by environmental adaptation and evolutionary specialization. Proteobacteria exhibit functional diversification, adapting from versatile to specialized roles in complex environments.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Limited comprehensive analyses exist for animal microbiomes, particularly arthropods.
- The functional profile and distribution of Proteobacteria in microbiomes remain largely unexplained.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a meta-analysis of arthropod microbiomes, focusing on bacterial functional profiles and metabolic traits.
- To investigate the factors influencing the distribution and abundance of Proteobacteria.
Main Methods:
- Meta-analysis of existing microbiome data from arthropods and their terrestrial habitats.
- Detailed analysis of a large dataset of biochemically defined functional traits.
- Examination of bacterial community functional profiles, focusing on Proteobacteria.
Main Results:
- Identified discrete functional groups of bacteria adapted to anaerobic conditions, shaped by environmental filtering.
- Revealed a biochemical diversification within Proteobacteria, suggesting an evolutionary trajectory towards specialization.
- Observed taxonomic clusters in bacterial distribution that do not align with functional groups, possibly due to contamination.
Conclusions:
- Arthropod microbiomes show functional specialization in Proteobacteria, evolving from versatile to adapted forms for complex environments like insect guts.
- Environmental filtering plays a key role in shaping functional groups within arthropod microbiomes.
- Factors beyond function, such as contamination, may influence bacterial taxonomic distribution.
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