Die ökologische Rolle von Parasiten in der Dynamik der intestinalen Artengemeinschaft: Ökologische Netzwerke und gemeinschaftliche Funktionen
Zusammenfassung der Projektergebnisse
The gastrointestinal tract harbours a diverse ecosystem that significantly influences host health and physiology. While the bacterial microbiome has received considerable attention, recent research highlights the role of fungi and eukaryotic parasites in shaping the gut community and its effects on the host. This project aimed to comprehensively profile the intestinal community of wild house mice (Mus musculus) from a hybrid zone in Germany, focusing on parasites and their interactions with the broader community. Using a multi-marker approach targeting both bacteria and eukaryotes, I characterised the intestinal communities of 619 mice across the hybrid zone. I firstly benchmarked highthroughput sequencing to quantify parasites, and showcased the use of multi-amplicon sequencing to analyse parasite epidemiology and ecology in natural environments. Amplicon sequencing provides a unified, scalable methodology to study eukaryotic symbionts, including parasites, and the bacterial microbiome. Examining the effects of individual parasites and co-infections on the intestinal community, I observed consistent and predictable impacts on both prokaryotic and eukaryotic members. Parasite co-infections led to distinct shifts in community composition, emphasising the fundamental role of parasites in shaping the microbiome. Investigating the influence of genetic diversity and hybridization on host-microbiome interactions, I found that while overall gut community similarity correlated with genetic relatedness, hybridization did not significantly impact the gut microbiome's structure. However, a deeper analysis of the fungal component revealed differences in occurrence and abundance between hybrids and parental subspecies. The fungal microbiome is increasingly recognized for its effect on host physiology and health and its interactions with the wider microbiome should be considered for effects of hybridisation or host genetics in general. This project provided valuable insights into the parasite interactions within the intestinal community, and genetic effects of species barriers, hybridization, and spatial factors on the intestinal community. Further investigations into the specific genetic mechanisms underlying microbiome variation, such as the identification of host genes associated with microbial taxa, could enhance our understanding of host-microbiome co-evolutionary dynamics.
Projektbezogene Publikationen (Auswahl)
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DNA-based quantification and counting of transmission stages provides different but complementary parasite load estimates: an example from rodent coccidia (Eimeria). Parasites & Vectors, 15(1).
Jarquín-Díaz, Víctor Hugo; Balard, Alice; Ferreira, Susana Carolina Martins; Mittné, Vivian; Murata, Julia Mari & Heitlinger, Emanuel
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Amplicon sequencing allows differential quantification of closely related parasite species: an example from rodent Coccidia (Eimeria). Parasites & Vectors, 16(1).
Ferreira, Susana C. M.; Jarquín-Díaz, Víctor Hugo & Heitlinger, Emanuel
