Quantitative Synthesis of Microbe-Driven Acclimation and Adaptation in Wild Vertebrates

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Microbiology
• Conservation Science

Background:

• Animal-associated microorganisms possess functional traits crucial for host health.
• Microbial communities are hypothesized to enhance host acclimation and adaptation to environmental shifts.
• Understanding these microbial contributions is vital for wild vertebrate conservation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the evidence for gut microorganisms' contribution to wild vertebrate acclimation and adaptation.
• To assess the current application of microbiome knowledge in wildlife conservation and management.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative systematic review of 1974 screened publications.
• In-depth scrutiny of 109 eligible studies based on 10 metrics (study design, methodology, reproducibility).

Main Results:

• Existing studies are insufficient to resolve the role of gut microorganisms due to inadequate study design and methods.
• Current application of microbiome knowledge in vertebrate conservation and management is limited.
• A significant gap exists in understanding the functional contribution of microbiomes to host eco-evolutionary processes.

Conclusions:

• A paradigm shift in research is necessary, moving from observational studies to experimental manipulations measuring fitness indicators.
• Advancement in molecular techniques for analyzing microbial functions is required.
• Enhanced collaboration between researchers and conservation managers is crucial for practical application of microbiome insights in adaptive wildlife conservation.