The lizard microbiome: patterns, drivers, and functional implications

The lizard microbiome is a dynamic community that plays a crucial role in the health and survival of these animals. As global change poses significant threats to lizard populations around the world, understanding the interactions between lizards and their microbial communities is increasingly important. Here, we synthesize a rapidly growing body of research on the composition, diversity, transmission, and functional roles of lizard microbiomes. We discuss the implications of microbiome variation for lizard physiology, as well as the potential for microbiomes to inform conservation strategies for threatened species. Finally, we highlight priorities for future research, which include the need to quantify microbiome diversity and function across additional taxa, as lizards remain under-represented in the microbiome literature. We also stress the importance of experimental and field research that can reveal the adaptive significance of lizard microbiomes in the face of environmental change. Our synthesis highlights the contributions of lizard microbiome science to the fields of ecology, evolution, and conservation biology and demonstrates how the microbial communities that live in and on lizards enhance our understanding of their biodiversity and inform efforts to protect vulnerable populations.