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Evolutionary Biology Needs Wild Microbiomes.

Sarah M Hird1

  • 1Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of ConnecticutStorrs, CT, USA.

Frontiers in Microbiology
|May 11, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Evolutionary biology requires studying wild animal microbiomes, not just those in captivity. Bird microbiomes, influenced by host factors, offer unique insights into host-microbe co-evolution.

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Microbiome Research
  • Animal Ecology

Background:

  • The microbiome is crucial for host evolution, but studies often focus on humans and captive animals, whose microbiomes are altered by captivity.
  • Mammals have unique adaptations (e.g., milk) influencing their microbiomes.
  • Birds, comprising over 30% of tetrapod diversity, possess unique adaptations relevant to their microbiomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To contextualize previous findings on bird gut microbiomes within broader evolutionary biology goals.
  • To highlight the uniqueness of birds as microbial hosts.
  • To advocate for microbiome sampling in wild animal research and discuss methodological considerations.

Main Methods:

  • Review and synthesis of existing microbiome research, particularly focusing on avian species.
Keywords:
evolutionfield biologygut microbiomehost-associated microbiotaornithology

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  • Analysis of host taxonomy and ecology as correlates of gut microbiome composition.
  • Discussion of methodological approaches for microbiome sampling in wild animals.

    • Main Results:

    • Previous work demonstrated significant variation in the microbiomes of 59 bird species.
    • Host taxonomy and ecology were identified as the primary drivers of gut microbiome variation in birds.
    • Captivity is acknowledged as a confounding factor in microbiome studies.

    Conclusions:

    • Understanding wild animal microbiomes is essential for comprehending host evolution.
    • Birds present unique opportunities and challenges as subjects for microbiome research.
    • Integrating microbiome analysis into wild animal studies is critical for advancing evolutionary biology.