Urbanisation Affects Millipede Gut Microbiota Communities by Impeding Host Gene Flow.

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Microbiology

Background:

• Urbanisation alters soil fauna environments, impacting evolutionary trajectories.
• Faunal gut microbiota are crucial for host adaptation to environmental shifts and serve as indicators of these changes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of urbanisation on the gut microbiota and population genetics of Spirobolus bungii.
• To understand the relationship between urbanisation, gene flow, and gut microbial composition in soil fauna.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of population genetics in Spirobolus bungii across urbanised and non-urbanised areas.
• Investigation of gut microbiota composition in relation to population genetic structure and environmental factors.

Main Results:

• Urbanisation did not significantly affect the genetic diversity of Spirobolus bungii populations.
• Urbanisation acted as a barrier, reducing gene flow between Spirobolus bungii populations.
• Genetic differentiation correlated with gut microbiota similarity, independent of environmental distinctions.

Conclusions:

• Gene flow is a critical factor influencing gut microbiota composition in Spirobolus bungii under urbanisation.
• Urbanisation's impact on soil fauna is mediated through its effects on population connectivity and microbial communities.