| Abstract | Background. Microbial communities are found on any part of animal bodies exposed
to the environment, and are particularly prominent in the gut, where they play such
a major role in the host metabolism and physiology to be considered a ``second
genome''. These communities, collectively known as ``microbiome'', are well studied
in humans and model species, while studies on wild animals have lagged behind. This
is unfortunate, as different studies suggested the central role of the gut microbiome in
shaping the evolutionary trajectories of species and their population dynamics. Among
bird species, only few descriptions of raptor gut microbiomes are available, and mainly
carried out on captive individuals.
Objectives. In this study, we aimed at improving the knowledge of raptor microbiomes
by providing the first description of the gut microbiome of the lesser kestrel (Falco
naumanni), a cavity-nesting raptor.
Results. The gut microbiome of the lesser kestrel was dominated by Actinobacteria
(83.9%), Proteobacteria (8.6%) and Firmicutes (4.3%). We detected no differences
in microbiome composition between males and females. Furthermore, the general
composition of the microbiome appears similar to that of phylogenetically distant
cavity-nesting species.
Conclusions. Our results broaden the knowledge of raptor gut microbial communities
and let us hypothesize that the distinct nest environment in terms of microclimate
and presence of organic material from previous breeding attempts, to which cavity-
nesting species that reuse the nest are exposed, might be an important driver shaping
microbiomes. |
| Authors | Alessandra Costanzo1, Roberto Ambrosini1, Andrea Franzetti2, Andrea Romano1, Jacopo G. Cecere3, Michelangelo Morganti4, Diego Rubolini1,4 and Isabella Gandolfi2 |
| Text | 471083 2022 10.7717/peerj.13927 ASV Lesser kestrel Microbiome Wild raptor Falco naumanni Cavity nesting bird The cloacal microbiome of a cavity nesting raptor, the lesser kestrel Falco naumanni Alessandra Costanzo1, Roberto Ambrosini1, Andrea Franzetti2, Andrea Romano1, Jacopo G. Cecere3, Michelangelo Morganti4, Diego Rubolini1,4 and Isabella Gandolfi2 1 Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy 2 Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of MilanBicocca, Milan, Italy 3 Area BIO AVM, Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research ISPRA, Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale, Ozzano dell Emilia, Italy 4 Water Research InstituteNational Research Council of Italy, IRSA CNR, Istituto di Ricerca sulle Acque, Brugherio, Italy Background. Microbial communities are found on any part of animal bodies exposed to the environment, and are particularly prominent in the gut, where they play such a major role in the host metabolism and physiology to be considered a ``second genome . These communities, collectively known as ``microbiome , are well studied in humans and model species, while studies on wild animals have lagged behind. This is unfortunate, as different studies suggested the central role of the gut microbiome in shaping the evolutionary trajectories of species and their population dynamics. Among bird species, only few descriptions of raptor gut microbiomes are available, and mainly carried out on captive individuals. Objectives. In this study, we aimed at improving the knowledge of raptor microbiomes by providing the first description of the gut microbiome of the lesser kestrel Falco naumanni , a cavity nesting raptor. Results. The gut microbiome of the lesser kestrel was dominated by Actinobacteria 83.9% , Proteobacteria 8.6% and Firmicutes 4.3% . We detected no differences in microbiome composition between males and females. Furthermore, the general composition of the microbiome appears similar to that of phylogenetically distant cavity nesting species. Conclusions. Our results broaden the knowledge of raptor gut microbial communities and let us hypothesize that the distinct nest environment in terms of microclimate and presence of organic material from previous breeding attempts, to which cavity nesting species that reuse the nest are exposed, might be an important driver shaping microbiomes. Preprint Articolo in rivista 2167 8359 PeerJ PeerJ RUBOLINI DIEGO michelangelo.morganti MORGANTI MICHELANGELO |
