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An inquiline mosquito modulates microbial diversity and function in an aquatic microecosystem
Aldo A Arellano1,2, Erica B Young3,4, Kerri L Coon2
1Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
Molecular Ecology
|March 5, 2024
Summary
The pitcher plant mosquito, Wyeomyia smithii, influences microbial communities within Sarracenia purpurea. Higher mosquito larvae abundance led to lower microbial diversity but distinct functions and increased nitrogen, demonstrating top-down control in this microecosystem.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Microbiology
- Aquatic Ecosystems
Background:
- Microbial communities are crucial for ecosystem functions, particularly within specialized habitats like the Sarracenia purpurea pitcher plant.
- The interactions between macroinvertebrates and microbes in these microecosystems are key to nutrient cycling but remain poorly understood.
- The pitcher plant mosquito (Wyeomyia smithii) is a prominent macroinvertebrate inhabitant whose role in structuring microbial communities is unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the top-down control exerted by Wyeomyia smithii larvae on the microbial community composition and function within Sarracenia purpurea pitchers.
- To determine how variations in mosquito larval abundance affect bacterial diversity, metabolic activity, and nutrient availability.
Main Methods:
- A 74-day field experiment manipulating Wyeomyia smithii larval abundance in natural Sarracenia purpurea pitchers.
- 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing to characterize bacterial community composition.
- Profiling of microbial community function through carbon substrate use, metabolic rate, enzyme activity, and nutrient analysis.
Main Results:
- Bacterial communities exhibited temporal changes from pitcher opening to maturation, with larvae having minor impacts on high-level taxonomy.
- Increased Wyeomyia smithii larval abundance correlated with reduced microbial diversity but altered community functions.
- Higher larval densities were associated with elevated nitrogen availability within the pitchers.
Conclusions:
- Wyeomyia smithii larvae play a significant role in curating pitcher plant microbial communities, influencing their diversity and functional attributes.
- These findings highlight the importance of macroinvertebrate-microbe interactions in shaping microecosystem functions.
- The study demonstrates clear top-down control of microbial functions by a key invertebrate species in an aquatic microecosystem.
