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From Genes to Greens: How Diet, Climate and Phylogeny Shape Freshwater Turtle Microbiotas
T Franciscus Scheelings1, Thi Thu Hao Van2, Anthony Santoro3
1Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia.
Environmental Microbiology
|August 6, 2026
Summary
Australian freshwater turtle gut microbes are shaped by diet and climate, with carnivores showing higher diversity. Host evolution also plays a role in microbial structure.
Area of Science:
- Herpetology
- Microbiology
- Ecology
Background:
- Reptile gut microbiota are crucial for host ecology and evolution but remain understudied.
- Understanding these microbial communities is vital for reptile conservation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of diet, climate, and evolutionary history on Australian freshwater turtle gut microbiota.
- To identify key factors shaping microbial diversity and composition in this group.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed gut microbiota of 234 Australian freshwater turtles across 10 species.
- Utilized Canonical Correspondence Analysis to assess relationships between microbiota and environmental/dietary factors.
- Examined host phylogeny for signals of phylosymbiosis.
Main Results:
- Turtles' microbiotas were dominated by Pseudomonadota, Actinobacteriota, and Bacteroidota.
- Microbial richness and evenness varied significantly with species, diet, and climate.
- Carnivorous turtles had higher bacterial diversity than omnivores; oceanic/subtropical zones showed greater diversity.
- Diet and climate were significant predictors of microbial community composition.
- Host phylogeny showed a weak but significant signal of phylosymbiosis.
Conclusions:
- Turtle gut microbiota are shaped by a combination of ecological (diet, climate) and evolutionary factors.
- These findings highlight the need to integrate microbial insights into conservation strategies for freshwater turtles.
- Diet and climate are primary drivers, with evolutionary history also contributing to microbial structure.
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