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Uropygial gland microbiota differ between free-living and captive songbirds
L A Grieves1,2, C L J Bottini3, G B Gloor4
1Department of Biology, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond St., London, ON, N6A 5B7, Canada. grievel@mcmaster.ca.
Scientific Reports
|November 1, 2022
Summary
Captivity alters avian uropygial gland microbiota, increasing microbial diversity in song sparrows compared to wild counterparts. Dietary changes did not impact these scent gland microbial communities.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Animal Behavior
- Ecology
Background:
- Symbiotic microbes influence host behavior and fitness, with gut microbiota being extensively studied.
- Microbial communities in scent-producing glands, like avian uropygial glands, are less understood but crucial for chemical signaling.
- Captivity introduces environmental differences that may affect host-associated microbial communities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of captivity on the uropygial gland microbiota of song sparrows.
- To determine if dietary manipulations affect the uropygial gland microbiota in captive birds.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of uropygial gland microbial communities between free-living and captive song sparrows.
- Analysis of microbial diversity and composition.
- Experimental dietary manipulation in captive birds.
Main Results:
- Significant differences were observed in the uropygial gland microbiota between free-living and captive song sparrows.
- Microbial diversity was unexpectedly higher in captive birds than in free-living birds.
- Dietary treatments did not significantly alter the uropygial gland microbiota of captive birds.
Conclusions:
- Captivity demonstrably alters the uropygial gland microbial communities in song sparrows.
- Environmental factors associated with captivity, rather than diet, appear to be primary drivers of these microbial shifts.
- Further research is needed to identify specific factors driving these changes and their behavioral consequences.
