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Taxonomy, tissue, and habitat influence mollusk microbial communities
Diana Carolina Vergara-Florez1, Thomas F Duda1
1Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, 1105 North University Avenue, Biological Sciences Building, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1085, United States.
The ISME Journal
|April 22, 2026
Summary
Microbial communities in molluscs are shaped by host and environmental factors, but research is biased. More inclusive studies are needed to understand these crucial relationships.
Area of Science:
- Marine biology
- Ecology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Microbes are vital for mollusc health, development, and resilience.
- Factors influencing mollusc microbial communities are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify drivers of microbial community composition in molluscs.
- To synthesize current knowledge and identify research gaps.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of 85 studies on bivalves, gastropods, and cephalopods.
- Analysis of intrinsic (host phylogeny, tissue type) and extrinsic (environment, geography, seasonality) factors.
Main Results:
- Both intrinsic and extrinsic factors influence microbial communities, with context-dependent effects.
- Bivalve studies often focus on environmental drivers, while cephalopod studies emphasize host features.
- Significant taxonomic and methodological biases exist, with a focus on important species and gut tissues.
Conclusions:
- A broader, integrative approach is needed, including underrepresented molluscs and diverse tissues.
- Standardized, multi-factorial research is essential to predict microbial community responses to environmental change.
Keywords:
Molluscahost phylogenyhost−microbiome interactionsintrinsic and extrinsic factorsmarine invertebratesmicrobial community assemblymicrobiome diversityphylosymbiosispredictive modelingMore Related Videos
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