Diversity of Host-Associated Microbiomes and Symbiosis Functions

Generated with sparks and insights from 9 sources

Introduction

Host-associated microbiomes vary significantly between Laboratory and natural environments, impacting the diversity and function of microbial communities.
Studies have shown that the presence of Endosymbionts can influence the diversity of host-associated microbiomes, but this does not always explain variations in symbiosis functions.
The Hologenome theory of evolution posits that hosts and their microbiomes function as a single evolutionary unit, with the Microbiome playing a crucial role in Host adaptation and fitness.
Environmental factors, such as diet, Life cycle stages, and Seasonal changes, significantly influence the composition and function of host-associated microbiomes.
Laboratory studies often fail to capture the full diversity and functional roles of microbiomes found in natural settings, leading to potential misinterpretations of symbiotic relationships.

Definition: The hologenome theory of evolution suggests that hosts and their microbiomes function as a single evolutionary unit.
Microbiome Role: Microbes play a crucial role in host adaptation and fitness, influencing evolutionary processes.
Darwinian and Lamarckian principles: The theory integrates both Darwinian and Lamarckian principles, explaining how microbes are acquired or lost during an organism's lifetime.
Speciation: Microbiomes can influence speciation and host fitness, acting as a unit of selection.
Research Support: Studies have shown that the hologenome concept helps explain the complexity of host-microbe interactions in various environments.

Diet: Changes in diet can lead to shifts in the gut microbiome, affecting host metabolism and health.
Life Cycle: Different life stages, such as larvae and adults, have distinct microbiomes influenced by their specific environments.
Seasonality: Seasonal changes can alter the composition of host-associated microbiomes, impacting physiological and behavioral responses.
Stressors: Environmental stressors, such as temperature and salinity, can lead to changes in microbial communities associated with hosts.
Microbial Repertoire: Hosts may associate with a larger network of microbial partners to cope with diverse environmental conditions.

Diversity: Laboratory settings often show reduced Microbial diversity compared to natural environments.
Function: The functional roles of microbiomes can differ significantly between laboratory and natural settings.
Artificial selection: Laboratory-reared species may undergo artificial selection, altering their microbiome composition.
Comparative Studies: Studies comparing laboratory and wild populations highlight the limitations of laboratory-based research.
Examples: Drosophila and Nematostella vectensis show significant differences in microbiome diversity between laboratory and wild settings.

Human gut: Diet influences the gut microbiome, affecting metabolic efficiency and health.
Obesity: Changes in diet can lead to shifts in the gut microbiome, contributing to lean or obese phenotypes.
Microbial Diversity: Different diets can result in unique microbial communities, impacting host physiology.
Regional variation: Geographic differences in diet can lead to variations in gut microbiome composition.
Evolution: Microbial communities can facilitate shifts in permissible food sources, driving evolutionary changes.

Biphasic life cycles: Species with complex life cycles have distinct microbiomes at different stages.
Microbial colonization: Initial colonizing microbes can influence the microbiome of later life stages.
Environmental niches: Different life stages often inhabit unique ecological niches, impacting their microbiomes.
Carryover effects: Early life stage microbiomes can have lasting effects on later stages.
Examples: Marine invertebrates and insects show significant changes in microbiome composition between life stages.

Seasonal Changes: Seasonal variations can lead to shifts in the composition of host-associated microbiomes.
Physiological Responses: Hosts may alter their microbiomes in response to seasonal changes in their environment.
Feeding Regimes: Seasonal changes in food availability can impact the gut microbiome of hosts.
Toxin Resistance: Some hosts acquire microbial symbionts to metabolize seasonal toxins in their environment.
Examples: Bivalves and woodrats show significant changes in microbiome composition in response to seasonal variations.