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Microbiomes as Metacommunities: Understanding Host-Associated Microbes through Metacommunity Ecology
Elizabeth Theresa Miller1, Richard Svanbäck2, Brendan J M Bohannan1
1Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA.
Trends in Ecology & Evolution
|September 30, 2018
Summary
Understanding host-associated microbiomes is challenging. This study proposes integrating host-microbiome feedback into metacommunity theory to better explain microbiome variation across multiple scales.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Metacommunity ecology
Background:
- Host-associated microbiome research is rapidly growing, but explaining microbiome variation remains difficult.
- Existing metacommunity theory provides tools for multiscale process modeling but needs adaptation for host-microbiome systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a novel framework for host microbiome research by expanding metacommunity theory.
- To incorporate feedback mechanisms between the host (habitat patch) and its microbial community.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual expansion of metacommunity theory.
- Integration of host-microbial interactions and feedback loops.
Main Results:
- Identified the necessity of incorporating host-microbial feedback for explaining microbiome dynamics.
- Highlighted potential for unexpected ecological and evolutionary outcomes due to this feedback.
Conclusions:
- A feedback-inclusive metacommunity approach offers a promising direction for advancing host microbiome research.
- This integrated framework can lead to a more comprehensive understanding of microbiome variation and its drivers.
Keywords:
Community ecologyevolutionary theorymetacommunity theorymicrobial ecologymicrobiometheoretical ecologyMore Related Videos
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