Bacterial Diversity Associated with Terrestrial and Aquatic Snails

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Ecology
• Zoology

Background:

• The holobiont concept emphasizes the importance of microbial symbionts in animal life.
• While research on microbial symbionts is extensive for some animals, snails remain understudied.
• Snails inhabit diverse environments and play crucial ecological roles, suggesting complex host-microbe interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To consolidate existing knowledge on microbial symbionts associated with terrestrial and aquatic snails.
• To assess the current state of research on snail microbiomes and identify knowledge gaps.
• To provide a foundation for future, targeted investigations into snail holobionts.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature review was conducted using Boolean searches in Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect databases.
• Searches covered publications up to June 2024, focusing on microbes associated with healthy and diseased snails from natural and farmed populations.
• Data from 137 identified papers were screened, with 60 papers providing original data on bacterial communities in snail gastrointestinal tracts, hepatopancreas, and feces.

Main Results:

• The review identified a substantial lack of research on snail microbial symbionts compared to other agriculturally or financially significant animals.
• Existing data primarily focuses on bacterial communities within the gastrointestinal tract, hepatopancreas, and feces.
• The current knowledge is insufficient to comprehensively depict a potential core microbiota for snails.

Conclusions:

• There is a critical need for expanded research into the bacterial component of snail holobionts.
• Future studies should aim for more in-depth and targeted investigations to characterize snail-associated microbial communities.
• Understanding snail microbiomes is essential given their ecological significance and potential roles in both wild and farmed populations.